Plumeria
Plumeria rubra · Deciduous broadleaf tropical tree
Plant Family
Apocynaceae
Tree Category
Ornamental Flowering Tree
Variety / Cultivar
Common White and Yellow (often referred to as Singapore or standard garden variety)
Hardiness Zones
Thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 10 through 12, sensitive to frost and freezing temperatures.
About This Tree
A small, open-canopied, deciduous tree or large shrub with thick, succulent branches, milky latex sap, and a rounded to spreading crown. Known for its intensely fragrant, pinwheel-shaped flowers clustered at the branch tips.
Leaf Characteristics
Large, leathery, dark green leaves clustered tightly near the ends of branches in a spiral arrangement. Oblate to lanceolate in shape with prominent parallel veins and smooth margins.
Bark Characteristics
Smooth, grayish-brown to silvery-grey bark with prominent leaf scar rings and a thick, succulent, somewhat brittle branch structure.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Central America, Mexico, the Caribbean, and South America; widely cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide.
Growing Season
Spring through autumn; drops leaves during the dry or cooler winter dormancy period. Flowers typically emerge in late spring and summer.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Requires full sun for optimal flowering. Needs moderate watering during the growing season, but requires well-draining soil and reduced water during dormancy to prevent root rot. Highly drought-tolerant once established.
Mature Size
Reaches a mature height and spread of 15 to 25 feet with a moderate growth rate and a lifespan of several decades.
Special Characteristics
Highly valued for its intensely sweet, perfumed flowers used in leis and perfumes, excellent drought tolerance, and distinct succulent branching structure.
Wildlife & Ecology
Attracts pollinators such as hawkmoths and large bees with its fragrant nectar. The milky sap acts as a deterrent to many herbivores, though some specialized insects feed on it.