Plumeria trees grace many landscapes in Hawaii and their fragrant flowers are associated with Hawaii more than any other blossom. Though not native to Hawaii, plumeria trees are rather ubiquitous here and are sometimes referred to as the “backyard flower.” Many of us have them in our gardens and use the flowers to create lei for special occasions.
Today is Lei Day in Hawaii and you may want to honor the day by making lei from the pua melia in your yard or neighborhood. If you don’t have a plumeria growing nearby, you might want to plant one to be ready for Lei Day in years to come.
Hundreds of plumeria cultivars exist. All are in the Apocynaceae or Dogbane family. Most of the family members are tropical plants distinguished by fragrant flowers and milky sap. Plants like allamanda and hoya are also members of this family.
The genus Plumeria honors the 17th century French botanist and Franciscan monk Charles Plumier, who documented many plant and animal species on his trips to the New World. Plumerias are also known by the common name frangipani, which was the family name of a 16th century Italian nobleman who claimed to have invented a plumeria scented perfume which he named for his Frangipani family.
Though many cultivars have been created through hybridizing, the original plants are endemic to Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean. Now grown throughout the tropics and subtropics as an ornamental plant, some countries consider it a medicinal plant and in parts of Southeast Asia both the tree and flower are considered sacred.
Plumeria trees were brought to the Hawaii in 1860 by the German biologist, William Hillebrand. They thrived in our warm climate and volcanic soil and can be found today in locations from sea level to 2,000 feet elevation. The Hawaiians gave this popular plant the Hawaiian name melia.
The first plumeria cultivar in Hawaii was Plumeria obtusa, known as the “Singapore,” with a yellow-throated white flower and a rounded leaf tip. This cultivar grows best at lower elevations, retains its leaves year-round and is one of the most common plumeria varieties grown here. The long-lasting, fragrant flowers and low maintenance requirements of the “Singapore,” made it a good choice for planting in cemeteries. Thus, it also became known as the “Graveyard Plumeria.”
Another popular cultivar is Plumeria alba, sometimes known as white frangipani. It is distinguished by bright white flowers and is often used as a lei flower.
Plumeria rubra is a deciduous plant that loses its leaves during the shorter days of our winter when we have cooler weather and less rain. Like other plumerias, this variety grows as a tree to about 20 feet high and just as wide. It produces lots of flowers in spring and summer and into the fall. P. rubra, however, sports her fragrant flowers in a variety of colors over the summer and autumn.
Among the hundreds of plumeria varieties, some flowers have dark red centers, others bloom in a blend of pink and white, some have wide petals and others have petals that grow in a corkscrew. Leaf sizes and shapes also differ throughout the genus.
Dozens of cultivars are named, including the popular “Singapore” and “Common Yellow.” Beautiful, though less common, are “Hilo Beauty” and “Scott Pratt” with dark red flowers and a slightly spicy scent while “Kauka Wilder” has reddish flowers streaked with yellow, narrow pointed-tip petals and a strong sweet fragrance. “Plastic Pink” is a bright pink and “Hae Hawaii” is named for the Hawaiian flag.
Plumeria trees are fairly easy to grow from cuttings. Allow the white milky sap to dry a bit before putting the cuttings in a 50:50 mix of moist vermiculite and perlite. Remove most of the leaves and wait for new leaves to appear before up planting. To be sure your tree has adequate roots, move the cutting into a pot with soil that drains well and apply a balanced fertilizer. Plumeria trees can grow quickly and will thrive with little maintenance when placed in a hot, dry area. Do not place them in a lawn where they might get too much irrigation water.
Though plumeria trees are fairly hearty, some insects and a few diseases might appear, especially when conditions are not ideal. Any appearance of aphids, scale, whitefly or thrips can be treated with a soap and oil spray. A tablespoon of neem oil and a teaspoon of Dr. Bronner’s soap in a quart of water will work. Apply at the end of the day, contact the insects and wash off the excess and dead insects the next morning.
Overwatering plumeria trees makes them very susceptible to root rot. Plumeria rust occasionally appears as small yellow spots on the underside of the leaves. Removing infected leaves as soon as you see rust, can prevent its spread. If it is widespread, you can make a spray to apply. Mix 1 tablespoon of baking soda in a quart of water. Add 2 teaspoons of neem oil and about 1/4 teaspoon of Dr. Bronner’s peppermint soap to the water. Shake it to combine and spray all infected parts of the plant, especially the underside of the leaves.
Making and selling lei provided income for many kama’aina families in the early 1900s. Lei sellers often sold to the visitors arriving at Honolulu Harbor as well as to locals who purchased them for special occasions. Often families would make them from their ‘backyard flowers’.
If you want to do your own lei making, get a lei needle and some heavy thread or light string and get started. Lei needles are about 18 inches long with a hook at the base to hold enough string to hold your finished lei. Longs usually has them available for purchase.
Whether you are growing plumeria to add beauty and fragrance to your garden or you are planning to grow them to make lei for friends and family, call around to find a nursery that carries plumeria or find a friend or neighbor with a tree they will allow you to get a cutting from. In any case, plant a plumeria this year to have flowers by Lei Day next year.
Diana Duff is a plant adviser, educator and consultant living part time in Kailua-Kona.
Gardening Events
Saturdays: “Work Day at Amy Greenwell Garden” from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Meet at the Garden Visitor Center across from the Manago Hotel in Captain Cook. Come with a mask and be prepared to practice social distancing. Volunteers can help with garden maintenance and are invited to bring a brown bag lunch. Water and snacks provided. Visit www.amygreenwell.garden/get-involved/volunteer-1/ for more information.
Thursdays in April and May: “Talk Story with Coffee Berry Borer researchers” noon to 1 p.m. Presentation topics: IPM for CBB and Coffee Leaf Rust (CLR) monitoring. Open to all. Contact Roseann Leiner roseannl@hawaii.edu (808) 969-8256 for information or to request an auxiliary aid or service at least seven days before the event.
May 11, 13 and 14: “Big Island Chocolate Festival Reimagined” includes a tour of the Original Hawaiian Chocolate Factory, a culinary demonstration and an evening gala. Go to www.vigislandchocolatefestival.com for more information or to buy tickets.
May 19-20: “27th annual Hawaii Coffee Association Conference” (includes Trade Show and Statewide Cupping Competition. Visit hawaiicoffeeassoc.org/event-4641327 to learn more and register.
Saturday, June 18: “Hawaii Coffee & Cacao Festival” at the Kaka’ako Farmer Market in Honolulu seeking growers, producers, chocolatiers, baristas, chefs and related Coffee & Cacao items. Vendors: RSVP by May 1 by emailing alohafarmlovers@gmail.com. For more information, contact Pamela Boyar at alohafarmlovers@gmail.com or (808) 388-9696.
Pesticide Subsidy Program Outreach to Coffee Farmers: To take advantage of the HDOA CBB and Coffee Leaf Rust (CLR) Pesticide Subsidy Program contact Melanie Bondera at Hawaii Department of Agriculture Phone: (808) 323-7578 or email hdoa.cbb@hawaii.gov with questions.
Farmer direct markets
(check websites for the latest hours and online markets)
Wednesday: “Ho’oulu Farmers Market” at Outrigger Kona Resort & Spa at Keauhou Bay
Saturday: “Keauhou Farmers Market” 8 a.m. to noon at Keauhou Shopping Center
Information on their online market: keauhoufarmersmarket.com/onlinemarket
“Kamuela Farmer’s Market” 7:30 a.m. to noon at Pukalani Stables
“Waimea Town Market” 7:30 a.m. to noon at the Parker School in central Waimea
“Waimea Homestead Farmers Market” 7:30 a.m. to noon at the Waimea middle and elementary school playground
Sunday: “Pure Kona Green Market” 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Amy Greenwell Garden in Captain Cook
“Hamakua Harvest” 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Highway 19 and Mamane Street in Honoka’a
Plant Advice Lines
Anytime: konamg@ctahr.hawaii.edu; Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to noon at UH-CES in Kainaliu at (808) 322-4893. Walk-in from 9 a.m. to noon Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays at the UH-CES at Komohana in Hilo or call (808) 981-5199 or email himga@hawaii.edu
