Propagating plumerias is a great way to expand your collection, or share your favorite plant with friends. In this post, I’ll talk about different plumeria propagation methods, show you when and how to take plumeria cuttings, and then show you how to grow plumeria from a cutting, step-by-step.
Plumerias (aka frangipani plant or Hawaiian lei tree) are beautiful tropical plants. They grow to be large trees in warm climates like Hawaii, and are popular for their fragrant flowers (which are used to make leis).
I brought home my first plumeria cuttings from Hawaii several years ago, and have propagated my plumerias several times over since then. It’s fun and easy!
Here’s what you’ll find in this guide for propagating plumeria cuttings…
Table of Contents
Plumeria Propagation Methods
There are two main plumeria propagation methods you can use for growing new plants – from seed or by rooting plant cuttings.
In this article, I will show you how to grow plumeria from cuttings. I’ll save the seed starting for a future post.
I know it sounds scary, but growing plumeria from cuttings is actually pretty easy. First, let’s talk about when is the best time to try it.
When To Take Plumeria Cuttings
The best time to take cuttings for plumeria propagation is during their active growing season, which is in the spring and summer.
Summer is the easiest time of the year to root them too, especially when it’s warm and humid outside.
If you take cuttings too late in the summer, or in the fall as the plant is starting to go dormant for the winter, then they probably won’t take root.
Rooting Plumeria Cuttings In Winter
Plumerias go dormant during the winter, so if cuttings were taken too late they will likely stay dormant and won’t grow roots. However, if you store them correctly, you can overwinter them, and root them in the spring.
Just leave the cutting in the pot, and keep the soil completely dry all winter long. You can mist it with water every once in a while if you want, but don’t overdo it.
Then in early spring, give it a good drink of water, and follow the plumeria cuttings care instructions below for growing them.
How To Cut Plumerias For Propagating
There are a few things you’ll want to keep in mind when cutting plumeria stems for rooting (and for pruning plumeria plants too).
It doesn’t make a difference where you cut the stem, so it’s just a matter of how long you want to make your cuttings.
But you do want to be sure to use a sharp pair of pruners, and always sterilize them so you get a nice clean cut.
Also, plumerias are very prone to tip rot, so it’s important to always make your cuts at a downward angle so that water can’t settle into the wound.
How To Grow Plumeria From Cuttings
Before you get too excited and stick your plumeria cutting directly into the dirt, there are a few steps you’ll need to take to prepare it for the best chance of success.
First, remove the leaves from the cutting. This will allow it to put all of its energy into growing new roots, rather than supporting the leaves.
Second, be sure to allow the wound to cure (dry out) before you attempt to root it. This step is super important, so don’t skip it, otherwise your plumeria cutting will likely rot instead of growing new roots.
Let it sit in a dry place until the wound is completely cured. This can take several days to over a week, so be patient, and don’t rush it.
Rooting Plumeria Cuttings In Water
A common question I get asked is “can I root my plumeria in water?”. The short answer is yes. However, rooting them in water isn’t always a huge success. Many times, the stems will only rot when placed in water.
If you have plenty of cuttings to work with, then by all means experiment with this method! My preferred plumeria propagation method however is rooting them in soil. So, I’ll stick to that for now.
How To Root Plumeria Cuttings In Soil
When planting a plumeria cutting, it’s very important that you always use a clean pot to avoid any type of contamination.
Also, make sure you don’t use a huge pot for planting plumeria cuttings, otherwise you risk overwatering which will only cause it to rot.
I use 4″ pots for rooting most of mine, and once in a while I might go up to a 6″ pot if I’m rooting a larger stems.
Supplies Needed:
- Cured plumeria cuttings
- Propagation soil (I mix my own using perlite, potting soil, and coarse sand – but you can use a succulent soil mix instead)
- Plant rooting hormone
- A clean pot (I use 4″ pots for mine)
Here are the steps for how to start a plumeria cutting in soil…
Step 1: Dust the cut end with rooting hormone – Rooting hormone will help plumeria cuttings grow roots, and also speed up root formation.
You can try rooting your cuttings without it, but I find that I have more success with plumeria propagation when I use it.
Step 2: Make a hole in the dirt – Use your finger or a pencil to make a hole in the soil where the cutting will go.
If you didn’t dust the end with rooting hormone in step 1, then you don’t have to worry about this step. But making a hole in the soil first will keep the rooting hormone from rubbing off when you stick the cutting into the soil.
Step 3: Put cutting into the soil – Put the cut end into the hole you made, and then pack the soil down around the base of the stem.
You want to make sure the soil comes into contact with the cutting, and that it will stay in place. The roots will grow out of the bottom of the stem, so you don’t have to plant it very deep. Just deep enough so it will stand up on its own.
Rooting plumeria cuttings in soil
Step 4: Wet the soil – Give the soil a good drink, until water starts coming out of the drainage holes.
Allow the water to drain completely from the pot, and never allow it to sit in a tray of water. Then place your cutting in a protected, humid location, and wait for the roots to grow.
How To Care For Plumeria Cuttings
To encourage roots to grow, be sure to keep the air around your plumeria cutting humid, but the soil on the dry side. If you live in a humid climate like I do, you don’t need to do anything.
Simply leave it outside in the heat and humidity, and soon it will start to grow. Just be sure to keep it out of the sun until then.
But, if you live somewhere dry, or you’re trying to root the plumeria plant cutting indoors, then it’s a good idea to mist it every couple of days with a plant sprayer to keep the humidity level high.
Just don’t water the soil, you want that to stay on the dry side. Damp soil will only cause your plumeria cutting to rot, and you don’t want that. You’ll know roots have started to grow once you see new leaves growing from the top.
Leaf growth means plumeria root system has formed
How Long Does It Take Plumeria Cuttings To Root
How long it takes for the cuttings to root depends on the environment. If it’s really dry, then it will take much longer for plumeria cuttings to root.
But, if you keep them in a humid location, and give them bright light (not direct sun), then they will root much faster. In the right conditions, plumeria roots should start growing in a week or two.
Successfully rooted plumeria cutting
Transplanting Plumeria Cuttings
Once your cutting starts growing and has a few mature leaves on it, then you know it’s safe to pot it up.
You certainly don’t need to worry about repotting plumeria cuttings right away, you can leave them in the small pot until they become pot-bound if you’d rather.
The best potting soil for plumeria plants is a porous mix, and they should always be planted in a pot that has drainage holes.
They do not like to be overwatered, so it’s super important to make sure to use a fast draining potting mix, like succulent potting soil.
Or you can try to make your own plumeria potting soil by mixing coarse sand and perlite or pumice with general potting soil.
Once your new baby has become established in its pot, you can start fertilizing it to encourage flowers! Plumeria plants can flower starting their first year.
You can use tropical plant fertilizer specifically made for plumerias and other tropical plants. Otherwise, some of the best fertilizers are compost tea (you can get in liquid form, or buy compost tea bags to brew your own).
I also like to use fish emulsion or liquid kelp, but don’t use these two indoors because they are a little bit stinky.
Learn more about how to grow a them in my detailed plumeria plant care guide!
New plant after propagating plumeria from cuttings
Plumeria Propagation FAQs
Below I’ll give you answers to the most frequesntly asked questions about rooting plumerias. If you can’t find what you’re looking for here, add a comment below.
Can You Replant A Broken Plumeria Branch?
Yes, with some care, you can replant a broken plumeria branch. Make sure the branch is dry and not rotten. If the broken off end is mangled or crushed, then cut off the damaged parts so you have a clean cut.
Clip off any leaves that are on the stem, and leave it to dry in a shady place for a few days. Then follow the steps above to root it.
Why Is My Plumeria Not Rooting?
Your plumeria cutting may not be rooting due to overwatering. The soil needs to be kept on the dry side at all times, and it should never be wet.
Also, the roots grow best in soil that’s 75 to 85 degrees F. You can use a heat mat placed under the pots to promote new root growth.
Where To Buy Plumeria Cuttings
If you’re ever in Hawaii, you can find plumeria cuttings for sale all over the place. But if not, don’t worry, it’s also pretty easy to find plumeria cuttings for sale online (I bought this red plumeria cutting last year, and it’s growing great!).
If you want to purchase them online, just be sure to order your cuttings in the spring or summer for best results.
Plumeria propagation by cuttings sounds like it would be really hard, but it’s actually pretty easy when you follow these steps. They grow really fast too, so once you get the hang of it, you’ll have plenty of new plants to share with friends!
If you want to learn how to multiply any type of plant you can get your hands on, then my Plant Propagation Made Easy eBook is for you! It has everything you need to know in order to start propagating your favorite plants right away. Download your copy today!
More Plant Propagation Posts
- The Best Plant Propagation Tools, Equipment & Supplies
- Plant Propagation: A Detailed Guide For Beginners
- How To Propagate Aloe Vera By Division
- Propagating Christmas Cactus From Cuttings Or By Division
- How To Propagate Banana Plants
- How To Propagate Snake Plant (Sansevieria) In Water Or Soil
Share your plumeria propagation tips in the comments section below.
Angie says
Hello! Great page and thank you for the helpful tips. I bought a cutting in Hawaii this past September. It took me about a week to plant it in a small pot. I probably have been overwatering and I didn’t realize I needed to winterize it so it has not grown at all but it is still green at the top. How do I tell if it has rotting and if it is still viable. Any advice to bring it to life would be great. I live in the Bay Area of Cali so it is a little humid but too cold outside, so I keep it indoors. Thank you!
Amy Andrychowicz says
You’re welcome, so glad you enjoyed the article! 🙂 Plumerias go dormant during the winter, so that is probably what’s going on with your cutting. I would just keep it inside until it’s warm enough to put it back outside, and make sure the soil dries between waterings. To check if it’s rotting, gently squeeze all along the main stem, starting at the very bottom. If it feels soft or mushy, then it’s rotting. If it feels firm, that means it’s still healthy and it should start leafing out once the weather warms up. Here are a couple of other articles that will give you more info…
– How To Overwinter Plumeria (Frangipani) Plants Indoors
– How To Grow & Care For Plumeria Plants
Angie says
Thank you!
Amy Andrychowicz says
You’re welcome!
Linnea says
I too live in Minnespolis. I have an 8 ft Plumaria I got from the MN. State fair and it was 8 inches long.
My question is can I make several propagations from one branch? One branch cut into 8 inch pieces? Also the trunk of Plumaria is almost 2-3in in diameter. What do I do it’s getting so big and live in Mn. It will eventually out grow my home
Amy Andrychowicz says
Yes, you can certainly cut the longer plumeria branches into multiple pieces to propagate them like you mention. You can manage the size by keeping it trimmed. They can take a pretty hard pruning, so cut it back to the size you prefer. Wait until spring or early summer to take cuttings or prune it though, that’s the best time.
Shagirlie says
What a fantastic article! Informative and easy to read. I had successfully rooted and established a cutting last year but it started rotting at the base and on a branch in late January (this is my first plumeria). I have successfully taken 2 cuttings to try rooting again. This article answered my questions. I was hesitant before but I think I can give it another go. Thank you!
Amy Andrychowicz says
Thank you so much, glad you enjoyed it! Good luck rooting your new plumeria cuttings, hope they will grow great for you this time. 🙂
Stella says
I live in So. CA and I am in the process of rooting some Plumeria cuttings. I potted them yesterday, but I think I may have to repot them. I initially used 2/3 cactus soil and 1/3 perlite. But, then I added a less than 1/3 peat moss. I believe that was a mistake. Do you think they will rot being that I added peat moss? Shall I repot w/o adding peat moss? Do I keep them inside or outside under eves with moderate sun? Do I need to buy a heating pad? Thank you for your advice.
Amy Andrychowicz says
As long as you’re careful not to overwater, then your plumeria cuttings should root just fine even with the peat moss added to the medium. If it’s warm enough, then I would just leave them outside to root. It may take longer in the winter, but they should start to leaf out once it warms up in the spring.
Stella says
Thank you Amy, my Plumerias are starting to show some growth at the tips, but no leaves yet. I have not watered them at all and I’m keeping them inside with plenty of sunlight on a warming mat. My friend says I should definitely water them, that’s why they do not have leaves yet. Do you think I should water them? Or wait until they sprout leaves at least 1-2″ in length? Shall I put them outside now that Spring has arrived?
Thank you.
Amy Andrychowicz says
The fact that your plumeria cuttings are starting to show new growth on top is a good sign that they are forming roots. You definitely could start watering them, but be careful. Make sure the soil is not wet first. Then give them a deep drink, and let it dry out again between waterings so you don’t overdo it. They do go dormant during the winter, and probably won’t start leafing out until it starts warming up a bit more. I’m not sure how cold it is where you live, so it may be a few more weeks/month before the leaves start growing, which is totally normal. Here’s a post about how to care for them (which includes details about watering them) now that they seem to be developing roots. It sounds like you’re doing everything right, so keep up the good work! 🙂
David Kravitz says
I have a seven year old plumeria I bought when it was about four inches high. I have grown it in a six inch diameter terra cotta pot and it is now about five feet high, growing straight up with leaves at the top, never branching. It has never flowered, as I have not fertilized it. My concern is the straightness and lack of branching, Is there something I should have done or should be doing to allow it to branch? I live in southern California, where the weather is warm year round and humidity is low. I have a photograph if needed. Your assistance is greatly appreciated. Thank you very kindly!
Amy Andrychowicz says
You can prune your plumeria in order to get it to branch out. Simply cut off the tip or top at your preferred height, and new branches will eventually form underneath the cut. Just be sure to make the cut at a downward angle so water can’t settle in and cause rot. Here’s more info on how to care for them… How To Grow Plumeria Plants.
Alfreada says
Thank for responding. Question, when you say sand, what kind of sand are you talking about?
Thanks again.
Amy Andrychowicz says
You’re welcome! I recommend using a coarse sand rather than something that is very fine.
Alfreada says
I live in north central FL. My friend’s mother passed and she wants to give me some plumeria cuttings before the house is rented or sold. Do you think I could winterize them and plant in the Spring?
Another question, what ratio of ingredients do you use to make your soil?
Thank you.
Amy Andrychowicz says
Yes, you can overwinter the plumeria cuttings and plant them in the spring. Here’s how to do it. The mix I make for rooting the cuttings is 2 parts coco coir or peat moss, 2 parts sand, and 1 part perlite.