Growing your own Frangipani (Plumeria) from scratch isn’t actually that difficult, but I’ll be honest with you: it takes a whole lot of patience! If you’re starting from seed, don’t expect to see those gorgeous, fragrant blooms right away. Usually, it takes about five to six years before a seedling is mature enough to flower for the first time.
Buying Seeds
If you have your heart set on a specific flower color, you’ll want to look for seeds that were hand-pollinated. Why? Well, if the seeds come from natural insect pollination, you’re playing a bit of a genetic lottery. The “father” plant could have been a totally different color, meaning your new plant might not look anything like its mother. Hand-pollinated seeds are the only way to guarantee you get the look you’re after.
What the Seeds Look Like
Plumeria seeds actually look a lot like the “helicopter” seeds you see on maple trees. They’re made up of two distinct parts:
- The Wing (Flange): This is the thin, papery top part. In nature, it helps the seed catch the wind to travel. Don’t worry if this part is missing or broken on your store-bought seeds; it’s not necessary for growth.
- The Embryo: This is the firm, darker, plump section at the bottom. This is where the life is!
Sowing Your Seeds
Before you get your hands dirty, you’ll need to decide on your setup. There are a few different ways to go about this depending on how much work you want to do later.
Choosing a Container
The main things to consider here are humidity and when you want to deal with your first repotting session.
Seed Trays or Mini Greenhouses
- These are great for keeping humidity levels high.
- You’ll need to repot these once the seedling has developed four “true” leaves.
Standard 5-to-6-inch Pots
- You’ll need to cover these with a plastic bag or dome to keep the moisture in (just remember to vent it occasionally).
- You can plant one or several seeds per pot.
- If you plant just one seed per pot, you won’t have to worry about repotting for quite a while.
The Right Soil
Frangipanis are picky about their “feet” getting too wet, so you need a well-draining mix. Good options include:
- Specialized Plumeria seedling starter mix.
- Standard Plumeria soil mixed with extra perlite (aim for about 30% perlite).
- A mix of cactus soil and 30% perlite.
The Planting Process
Once you have your pots and soil ready, here’s how to get those seeds started:
- Stick the seed into the soil with the plump embryo end pointing down.
- Depth: Bury it about 30% of the way in—just enough so the embryo is completely covered by soil.
- Gently press the soil around it to make sure it’s snug.
- Give it just a tiny bit of water. A good trick is to use a tablespoon to drizzle water exactly where the seed is.
- Pop the lid on your greenhouse or secure your plastic wrap over the pot.
- Find a bright, warm spot for them (around 77°F or 25°C is the sweet spot).
- Check back in about three days; if the soil looks dry, give it another light mist or drizzle.
Now, the waiting game begins! You can usually expect to see sprouts popping up anywhere between 10 and 21 days. Happy planting!
