Plantopedia

Plumeria obtusa (Singapore Graveyard Flower)

February 10, 2014

Scientific Name

Plumeria obtusa L.

Common Names

Singapore Graveyard Flower, Singapore Plumeria, Singapore Frangipani, Great Frangipanni, Chempaka, Lei Flower, White Plumeria

Synonyms

Plumeria barahonensis, Plumeria jamaicensis

Scientific Classification

Family: Apocynaceae
Subfamily: Rauvolfioideae
Tribe: Plumerieae
Genus: Plumeria

Flower

Color: White with small, brilliant yellow center
Bloom Time: May to October

Description

Plumeria obtusa is a small shrub or tree up to 20 feet (6 m) tall with widely spaced thick succulent branches. The leaves are found in clusters near the tips of the branches. They are large, dark green, glossy, with obtuse tips. The flowers are fragrant, 5-petaled, and white with a small yellow center, borne in clusters at the ends of the branches on a long thick stalk.

Hardiness

USDA hardiness zone 10a to 11b: from 30 °F (−1.1 °C) to 50 °F (+10 °C).

How to Grow and Care

Although you don't have to live in the tropics to grow Plumeria in the home garden, you should be aware of its growing requirements beforehand.

Often grown in the garden as an ornamental shrub or small tree, Plumeria plants need to be grown in well-draining soil that is slightly acidic. They also need at least six hours of full sun.

While the plants are fairly tolerant of both salt and windy conditions, they're not tolerant of cold and must be protected. Therefore, they should be container grown in colder regions. In areas that may be warm most of the time but still fairly prone to cold winters, the plant can be dug up and overwintered indoors. Alternatively, you can sink container grown Plumerias in the ground, bringing them indoors once the temperatures begin to drop in fall. Once warmer temps return in spring, you can return the plants back outdoors.

When growing Plumeria plants in pots, use a coarse, well-draining potting mix—cactus mix or perlite and sand should be fine… – See more at: How to Grow and Care for Plumeria

Origin

Native to the Bahamas and the Greater Antilles in Central America.