Once your Frangipani (Plumeria) hits that three-year milestone and shows off its first blooms, you finally get to see what all the magic is about. That’s why it can be so frustrating when a variety that’s supposed to be vibrant suddenly starts producing plain white flowers. But don’t panic—this is actually pretty common and usually an easy fix!
Appearance
Plumeria flowers typically feature five petals, and depending on the variety, they can range anywhere from crisp white to deep red, including some stunning multicolored hybrids. Petal size and scent intensity also vary wildly from one type to the next. Just a heads-up for those browsing online: you won’t find any legitimate green, blue, or black Plumerias—those don’t exist in nature!
The flowers grow in clusters, forming a beautiful bouquet. Depending on the variety, a single cluster can hold up to 20 individual blossoms.
Flower Color and the Sun
Even though a plant’s base color is determined by its genetics, those hues can shift even if you’re nailing your watering and fertilizing routine. This is because light and heat play a huge role in how Plumeria pigments develop. This is why red, yellow, or orange varieties might suddenly “go white.” However, if you bought a naturally snow-white variety, you won’t see any color changes there.
The main culprit behind a fade to white is usually a lack of sunlight. If your Plumeria isn’t getting enough rays, it will produce white flowers until the lighting conditions improve. Move your plant to a spot with full, direct sun, and it should return to its true colors.
On the flip side, Plumeria blooms can also get darker! This phenomenon is usually tied to outdoor temperatures. When the heat cranks up, the colors often intensify. For example, the lovely “Divine” variety might shift from a soft pale pink to a vivid magenta. Since these changes don’t always happen all at once, you might end up with a single bouquet featuring everything from light pink to deep magenta—which honestly looks pretty spectacular.
Top Picks for Prolific Blooms
- Divine: Features a sweet, fruity scent; colors range from soft pink to deep magenta.
- Ducemia: Has a strong fruity fragrance; the colors are very sun-dependent (orange, pink, red), but can fade to light yellow without enough light.
- Exotica: Known for a very intense scent and pink petals with a delicate red edge.
- Jubilee: A heavy hitter with a sweet, spicy fragrance; blooms are a bright pinkish-red but can turn almost dark red in intense sun.
- Star White: Smells strongly of jasmine; features star-shaped, pointed white petals with a classic yellow center.
