Frangipani, also known as Plumeria, is a tropical beauty that we have to grow in containers here in the States. Because they live in pots, they need fresh soil and the occasional upgrade to a larger home to stay healthy and keep those gorgeous, fragrant blooms coming.
How Often Should You Repot?
Plumerias definitely need a refresh every now and then, but you don’t want to overdo it. Here’s a good rule of thumb:
- Young plants: Every two to three years.
- Older plants: Every five to seven years.
Try not to repot more often than that. Moving is stressful for a Plumeria, and too much “pot hopping” can actually cause the leaves to grow in deformed.
Timing is Everything
The best time to repot is right after your plant wakes up from its winter nap. Aim for:
- Early spring.
- Right at the start of the growing season, once you see those first fresh leaves popping out.
The absolute latest you should wait is September, before the plant starts heading into dormancy. Also, a pro tip: if your Frangipani has already started developing a flower cluster (an “inflo”), hold off on repotting! The stress of the move can cause the plant to drop its blooms before they even open.
The Repotting Process
To get the job done right, you need to focus on two main things before you start:
- Choosing the right pot.
- Managing the root ball.
Once you’ve got those sorted, you’re ready to get your Plumeria settled into its new substrate.
Choosing the Right Pot
Material
For young Frangipanis, I always recommend a black or dark-colored plastic pot. Dark colors soak up the sun and keep the roots nice and warm. Avoid clay pots for the little guys—their roots tend to cling to the porous sides, which can cause a lot of damage when you try to move them later.
Older, established Plumerias have tougher root systems and can handle clay pots just fine. While pot color isn’t as critical for mature plants, a dark pot is still a great choice for that extra bit of warmth.
Pot Size
For younger plants, look for a pot between 5 and 12 inches (14 to 30 cm) in diameter. It’s usually better to go a little larger so they have room to grow without needing another move too soon.
Interestingly, a Frangipani in a pot about 20 inches tall and 12 inches wide can grow up to 10 feet tall! This means older plants don’t always need a bigger pot; sometimes they just need a soil refresh.
Managing the Root Ball
Before you put a mature Plumeria into fresh soil, you’ll want to do a little root pruning. You can trim back the root ball by about a quarter to a third. A popular method is to cut out sections of the roots—almost like you’re cutting slices of a pie—to make room for the new growth.
