Frangipani Hardiness

Our Experience

We have spent years observing which varieties grow well in which conditions.

We stock around 5000 frangipani plants, around 500 of which are over 1 metre tall. We consider these frangipanis over one metre tall, “our trees”.

Our frangipanis are spread around approximately three acres. Some get morning shade, some get afternoon shade, some have Northern protection and get little sun in winter and some are in full sun. Some get watered often and some get watered less often.

Our Knowledge

Here are three points we consider basic but the most important.

  • All frangipanis need to get moisture from the soil to replace moisture lost through leaves however the roots do not like too much water so the soil needs to drain well too.
  • All varieties of frangipanis can be damaged by the sun if moved from a shady position to full sun in summer. Tiny frangipanis can be damaged easily by the summer sun however all frangipanis build sun resistance as they grow year by year.
  • All frangipanis grow better in nutrient rich, slightly acidic soil.

Our Disclaimer

Even though we have extensive knowledge about frangipanis growing on our property, we are unable to predict accurately how a frangipani will grow in another location, especially locations a long way from our nursery. Every position has numerous factors affecting its microclimate.

Our Definition of Hardiness

Since frost and winter climates can do the most damage to frangipanis, the ability to withstand cold weather is the most important factor.
The second factor is the ability to withstand adverse conditions generally, be it too much or not enough water, too much or not enough nutrients or too much or not enough sunlight.

Our Frangipani Hardiness Ratings

Plumeria rubras with bright flower colours including white, light and dark pink, light orange, most yellow are the hardiest.
Plumeria pudica white is quite hardy but it has thin branches so needs more water and nutrients and cannot handle weed spray at all.
Plumeria rubras with dark flowers such as red and Razzmic Honey also grow better in warm positions but prefer shade more than full sun, until they become established.
Plumeria pudica pink and Plumeria obtusa require a warm protected position to look their best.
Plumeria obtusa pink and Plumeria stenophylla are the most delicate and require warm protected positions.