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.
Taking plumeria cuttings for propagation
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.
Plumeria cutting cured and ready to propagate
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.
Dip plumeria cutting into rooting hormone
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!
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- How To Propagate Aloe Vera By Division
- Propagating Christmas Cactus From Cuttings Or By Division
- How To Propagate Banana Plants
- How To Propagate Jade Plants From Cuttings
Share your plumeria propagation tips in the comments section below.
Jenny Johnston says
I have one large plumeria plant that now has 3 branches coming off the top. It’s getting so tall I feel like I need to cut it back, but I’m not sure where to make the cuts and when? I live in East Texas where it’s still in the 90’s now (early September) and my plumeria is still blooming. Should I cut all three branches off and leave the main trunk and if so, will the main trunk send out new shoots next Spring and bloom? This plumeria has very sentimental value to me so I really need to do this correctly. Thank you!
Amy Andrychowicz says
While they can handle a heavy pruning, cutting off all of the branches at once can keep your plumeria from blooming for a while. So I would start small and do one branch at a time. Yes, the new growth will come out just below where you make the cut. However, they do go dormant (at least partially) in the winter, so if you prune in the fall, it might not put on new growth until it wakes up in the spring. The best time to prune is in late winter or early spring. Here’s a post that has more details about their care, including pruning tips… How To Grow & Care For Plumeria Plants.
Janet Davenport says
Is he first of September too late to take cuttings for propagation?
Amy Andrychowicz says
It depends on where you live. If you’re somewhere warm, then it’s not too late to root plumeria cuttings. If you live in a cold climate where you have to bring them inside for winter, you can still take cuttings in the fall – but they may not root until spring.
Sherry Kizer says
Thank you Amy. Today I potted the two 14 inch cuttings. I used 5 inch pots. I placed a layer of Orchid Mix, heavy in bark, on the bottom for extra drainage, then filled the pots with Miracle Grow quick draining, cactus, palm, & citrus mix. I poked a hole in the center with my thumb, dipped the ends in the root hormone powder and carefully placed them in. Then I tamped the soil in around the stalk and added more soil to fill the pot continuing to tamp it in. They are both curved half way up and did not want to stand up well so I added an orchid stick to each gently fastening them with twist ties. I had also read that could add Quick start liquid to the water for their first watering so I did. I slowly added the water until it began to drain. That settled the soil even more so I added a bit more and a little more water. I drained them on a cake cooling rack until they quit dripping them moved them to wire rack in the screened room where they will stay for now. The instructions on the quick start watering said to do it again in 7 days but I don’t want to over water. Should I let the soil dry out at this point? I resized the rest of the cuttings and they are drying again until next weekend. Do I cut the whole bud stalk off or just the actual buds & their little stems? They have burgundy colored stalks in the middle with buds on the ends. I cut the 8, 9, & 10″ shoots off as they seemed woody enough at the bottom of their stalks. I cut the 18″ away from the primary stem. I left the one with the three shoots, 4,5,& 8″, intact as the shoots seem rather tender, not very woody, but I shortened the main stalk. I cut the 18″ with the two short shoots away from the 20 inch stalk but left the shoots on as they are very green as well. That leaves me with 5 more to plant next week. The leaves pretty much took care of themselves. I just left them alone and most of them wilted & fell off. I just need to take the buds off once I know where to cut. I also have 3 empty stalks remaining that I cut all of that off of. Can those be restarted too? If so, what do I do, if anything, to the tops? I am assuming they will dry up like the bottoms. How do they regenerate new growth? Thanks again! And, yes, I am having fun with this new experience.
Amy Andrychowicz says
You’re welcome! Sounds like you’re doing everything right for rooting your plumeria cuttings. I’m not familiar with the “quick starter” you’re referring to, so I can’t speak to that. But, you want to keep the soil on the dry side, and the air around the cutting humid. I would cut the whole flower stalk off to keep the cuttings from blooming. You can root any part of the stem, so the other cuttings you have should work too. Once rooted, they will sprout new leaves just below the cut on top.
Julie Bennett says
My Dad has a pretty large Plumeria tree in his sunroom. He is wanting to get rid of it. My question is can I cut it into much more manageable size pieces and then root them and replant them? I would like to have the whole tree but he loves in Missouri and I live on the Gulf of Mexico in Alabama. It will be much easier to bring it if it is only about 4 feet tall (instead of 10) and not 10 feet in diameter.
Amy Andrychowicz says
Yes, you can take cuttings from your dad’s plumeria plant and root them when you get back home. The wounds need time to cure over anyway, so that would be perfect. Just follow the instructions in this post, and you’ll be good to go!
Deede says
I live in a dry climate in AZ. My plumeria looked like it was going to get leaves, but then they never grew. The bottom stem looks brown at the bottom. I pruned off the top and then made several clippings from the tall stem. They look pretty dry and their stems are brown. Will they still grow?
Amy Andrychowicz says
Check to see if the brown stems are firm or if they are mushy. If they feel soft, it could either mean that the plant hasn’t been getting enough water, or that the stem is rotting. If the soil is completely dry, I would water it and wait a few days to check to see if the stem feels firmer. If it doesn’t firm up after watering or two, that’s a good indication that it is rotting from the bottom up. In that case, the only way to save it is to take cuttings and root them. I would definitely propagate the cuttings you took from your plumeria, just in case. Here’s my guide that will give you more care details… How To Grow Plumeria Plants. Good luck!
Joan says
We had 2 plumeria plants, they was doing good had a lot good leaves on them & was hoping for a flower soon! That night someone cut both our plants off. My grandsons was ver upset along with my daughter! Can we regrow the ones that was cut? All is left is the sticks part, they cut all the leaves also, the bottoms are dried out , the other part is still in the pot, or should we get new ones?
Amy Andrychowicz says
Wow, what a terrible thing to have happen!! I can’t believe someone would do that, I’m so sad for you. The good news is that plumeria plants can take a hard pruning, and still grow back. Just keep caring for the remaining trunk as you would if it was still the whole plant, and soon you should start to see new growth coming out just below the cuts. It may take several weeks, but don’t give up. I have my fingers crossed for you (and for karma to get back at that mean person who butchered your baby!!). On a side note: if it does recover, and once it starts getting bushy again, I would move it somewhere out of public reach.
Joan says
My daughter & grandsons r once again happy 😃 I did wat u said ( my daughter was doubtful ) & the ones that was brutally cut off r now got little leaves & the 2 other one have gotten little knobs around the cut off area with leaves growing off them like crazy!! Thank u so much for ur help! The mean person gave us 4 plants instead of 2!😎
Amy Andrychowicz says
Woohoo! I’m so happy to hear that your plumeria is growing back now. That is wonderful news!
Sarah says
Did you get around to making the plumeria seeds article? I would love to read that one as well.
Amy Andrychowicz says
No, not yet. 🙁 Hopefully some day I’ll be able to get some seeds from my plumeria so I can try it out.
Linda R Wilming says
How big of diameter can you cut?
Amy Andrychowicz says
It doesn’t matter, you can root a plumeria cutting at any diameter. Just make sure you take the cutting from a mature plant, and that it’s several inches long.
Michelle Whitaker says
Can I cut a long piece into multiple pieces for rooting?
Amy Andrychowicz says
Yes, you can root any part of a plumeria stem.
Consuela says
Hi I put 4 in a 5 gallon pot. They are doing well. They have started to produce leaves. I’m in Florida. When is a good time to put them in the ground?
Amy Andrychowicz says
Awesome, glad to hear your plumeria cuttings are doing well! Spring is the best time to plant them into the ground. Where you live, make sure to plant them while it’s still cool, and definitely before the weather gets too hot.
Andy Geib says
I just got some plumeria clippings and put them right in the ground. I realize now that was a mistake. The leaves are all drooping badly. Is there any way to save it?
Amy Andrychowicz says
I would pull your plumeria cuttings out of the ground, and check to make sure they aren’t rotting. Also, it’s best to remove the leaves from the cuttings before you try rooting them. Otherwise, the cuttings will use up all of their energy trying to keep the leaves alive, rather than focusing on growing roots. If your cuttings are still firm and healthy, then follow the instructions above for rooting them. Good luck!
Alicia clutts says
I just received a plumeria cutting. I’m in Southern California and it’s pretty warm right now. Mid 80’s. The clipping I received is very large. What size pot should I use?
Amy Andrychowicz says
You don’t need to use a very large pot for rooting your plumeria cutting, it doesn’t need much space for that. I usually use a 4″ or 6″ sized pot for mine. Don’t go too big on the pot size, or you can risk overwatering because a large amount soil will hold water longer. Once the cutting starts growing new leaves, and the roots are established, you can pot it up into a larger container.
Sherry Kizer says
Hi Amy, Your articles are great! My neighbor just pruned her Plumeria trees today. She gave me 5 cuttings! I have been reading a lot today. Her trees are outside in the ground in central FL & about 4 ft tall. The cuttings are aprox 2-3 ” in diam. 2 are 14 ” long, .One is 13″ long with 3 offshoots at the top 8, 9,.& 10 ” , one is 24″ long with 3 offshoots 4, 5 & 8″, and finally, one 20″ with an 18″ coming off that which has 2 offshoots 3″ long. All are full of leaves and buds. I want to propagate all that I can and I don’t know where to begin separating, and how much I can actually use. I rent so I want to put them in pots so I can take them with me when I move again. I want to keep them outside. I have a NW side screened porch that does not have great air movement and is my high humidity spot, lots of light but not much direct sun except on the west side in late afternoon, early evening, a SW side patio with an awning on 1/2 which gets sun & shade, & a SE side covered patio which gets sun & shade. This is where I keep the succulents. Both have a nice breeze, when there is a breeze. I also have plenty of yard all the way around with some trees. I have never had this plant before and I have never propagated in soil before. I am a bit overwhelmed. I have them in the shade drying the ends but it’s FL and our afternoon rain is moving in. Thinking I can move them to the screen room but not sure if that will be too humid to properly dry the exposed ends. Everything I have read says to remove all of the leaves. I’m thinking the buds won’t bloom now anyway but there are some really new baby leaves on the tops too. I saw pix of cuttings with some new baby leaves on the top being readied for rooting. I know the cuttings need lots of energy to root but I so hate the thought of cutting everything off. Also, given the length and diameter, what size pots to start them in, width and depth? I have a bunch of potted succulents so I will be using the cactus soil. Also some of the leaves have rust fungus so I know I need to get rid of those for sure and possibly treat whatever is left (?) How do I remove the leaves, cut them or pop/pull them? Wow, so much for a beginner to think about. LOL Would really appreciate a little help. Thank you.
Amy Andrychowicz says
Congrats on scoring some plumeria cuttings. The good news is that it sounds like you have plenty to experiment with. Yes, put your cuttings into your porch or another protected area to dry so they don’t get wet when it rains. You can remove all of the largest leaves, but keep the baby ones on top, and also cut off any flower buds. The reason for that is you want the cutting to put all of its energy into developing new roots, rather than wasting it on keeping the leaves and flower buds alive. It’s best to cut the leaves off, rather than trying to pull or break them. Cut them as close to the stem as you can, any tiny nub that’s left will eventually turn brown and drop off. You can root any size cutting, so just make them a manageable size for your space. Though you don’t need a very large pot, use one that is proportionate to the height of the cutting so it will stay upright. If they’re in a large post, just be extra careful not to overwater them. In fact, in a humid climate like FL, it’s probably going to work better if you don’t water the soil at all. Good luck and have fun!