Say goodbye to your plumeria, at least during the winter
A friend this week posted on Facebook a few pictures of the last bloom on her small plumeria tree. The yellow-and-white petals of the sole flower stood in stark contrast to the rich, large green leaves. I could almost smell the sweet aroma coming through the computer screen. One of my plumeria has similar blooms, and I know from personal experience how exquisitely fragrant they are.
Both of my plumeria have stopped blooming for the year, and now that nighttime temperatures are starting to drop, the plants are beginning to drop their leaves. Dropping leaves signal that soon it will be time to begin shifting our care for these striking tropical plants to prepare them for their winter needs.
Plumeria — also known as frangipani, temple trees or melia — go dormant in winter, requiring no light, soil or water. The Plumeria Society of America, founded here in Houston in 1979, recommends storing plants in a dry place where temperatures remain above freezing. This may be a closet, garage, attic or spare room. Young or small plants will appreciate a cup or so of water a month to keep them from getting desiccated during the dormancy period. Plants that spend the winter inside near a sunny window may bloom a bit earlier than they would otherwise. But the plants don’t really need these things; they will survive the entire winter without water or any other care.
Plumeria must, however, be protected from freezes if they are to survive and bloom in the spring. Frostbite hits the newest growth tips of the plant where the flower stalks for next year will appear. Depending on how you grow your plumeria, your winterizing efforts may be a snap or may require some effort.
People commonly grow plumeria in pots, in the ground or in pots sunk into the ground. The plants in pots can simply be brought inside and placed wherever you plan to store them. Remove any remaining leaves that haven’t yet dropped; snip them about an inch from the trunk. The remaining stem will dry and rot off in a week or so. You may leave the plants in their pots; or you may take them out of the pots, remove excess dirt, trim the root ball to a desirable size and close a plastic bag around the root ball for storage.
Plumeria in pots sunk into the ground require a bit more work. Gently pry the pot up from the ground, cutting any roots that have grown through the holes in the bottom of the pot, and then proceed as if the plant were a regular potted plumeria.
Plants growing directly in the ground will do best if dug up and stored. Some folks leave their plants out all winter and cover them for frost protection; however, the plants still get water during the dormancy phase, which risks killing them. In fact, plumeria in the Gulf Coast winter climate are damaged more often by rainfall moisture during dormancy than by the cold. So dig the plant out by cutting a circle around the plant with a shovel, which will effectively trim the root ball. Drive the shovel blade under the plant and lift it out of the ground. Remove excess soil, trim the root ball if necessary and bring it inside to join all the others. If you have several plants, you might consider storing them all together in a plastic-lined cardboard box that can be tucked away in a corner.
The dormancy period is a good time to make cuttings or to trim roots. The plant is shutting down for the winter and, thus, won’t feel the “shock” of the treatment very much. If a branch breaks off during the moving of your plants, simply store it alongside the others and bring it out of dormancy in the spring when the threat of freeze is gone and daytime temperatures begin to rise.
To have such delicate and fragrant blooms, plumeria are surprisingly unfussy and resilient, especially over the winter. They take care of themselves completely as long as they don’t freeze. So enjoy that final bloom on your plant, and then pay attention as the leaves turn brown and begin to fall.
Once nighttime temperatures consistently drop into the 40s, go ahead and store your plants. Don’t wait for a freeze warning. Tuck your plumeria into their beds in the closet or garage and say good night to them. Wish them a long, restful sleep.
In just a few months, you will wake them up refreshed and ready to bloom their hearts out for you in the spring.