Frangipani (plumeria) Plumeria rubra
Frangipani (plumeria) (Plumeria rubra) is a deciduous perennial shrub in the Apocynaceae family. It grows 3–6 m (10–20 ft) tall and 2.5–5 m (8.2–16 ft) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about 2 °C (36 °F). Space plants about 3 m (10 ft) apart.
Plan Frangipani (plumeria) in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Frangipani (plumeria) at a glance
| Type | Perennial shrub, deciduous |
|---|---|
| Family | Apocynaceae |
| Mature height | 3–6 m (10–20 ft) |
| Mature spread | 2.5–5 m (8.2–16 ft) |
| Spacing | 3 m (10 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 7 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance high, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Cold hardiness | About 2 °C (36 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 10) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 42 °C (108 °F) |
| Flowering | from about April for 21–34 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | Low |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Common in gardens of | 🇹🇭 Thailand, 🇸🇬 Singapore, 🇲🇽 Mexico, 🇧🇷 Brazil, 🇦🇺 Australia, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇮🇳 India, 🇻🇳 Vietnam, 🇮🇩 Indonesia, 🇵🇭 Philippines, 🇲🇾 Malaysia |
Is Frangipani (plumeria) toxic?
- People: mildly toxic
- Cats: mildly toxic
- Dogs: mildly toxic
- Parts: milky sap, leaves
Milky sap irritates skin and mouth and can cause vomiting if eaten.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Frangipani (plumeria)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and low water.
See Frangipani (plumeria) in a botanical garden
It grows in these sample gardens, which you can walk through in 3D:
- Nong Nooch Tropical Botanical Garden (8 plants)
- Na ʻĀina Kai Botanical Gardens (9 plants)
- Thai tropical garden (5 plants)
Questions about Frangipani (plumeria)
- How far apart should I plant Frangipani (plumeria)?
- About 3 m (10 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 2.5–5 m (8.2–16 ft).
- Does Frangipani (plumeria) need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 7 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Frangipani (plumeria) need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is high and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Frangipani (plumeria)?
- It tolerates about 2 °C (36 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 10.
- When does Frangipani (plumeria) flower?
- From about April for 21–34 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Frangipani (plumeria) poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is mildly toxic; for dogs mildly toxic; for people mildly toxic. Milky sap irritates skin and mouth and can cause vomiting if eaten.
- What grows well with Frangipani (plumeria)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Frangipani (plumeria). Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (low).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade C (C: plausible, mixed evidence).
- ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, ASPCA
- FAO Irrigation and Drainage Paper 56 — Crop Evapotranspiration, FAO
- RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
- University extension gardening guides (general), Various land-grant university extensions
Notes and assumptions
- Typical garden-cultivar values; varieties differ.
- Loses leaves in cool or dry seasons; rots in wet soil.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
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- Butterfly weed Asclepias tuberosa
- Madagascar periwinkle Catharanthus roseus
- Star jasmine Trachelospermum jasminoides
- Mandevilla Mandevilla sanderi
- Lesser periwinkle Vinca minor
- Jelutong Dyera costulata
- Madagascar palm Pachypodium lamerei