Plumeria, also called frangipani, can be grown indoors, but it behaves more like a tropical tree than a tidy houseplant. The RHS frangipani guide says to give it a bright position, free-draining compost, regular water from spring to autumn, and a dry, airy winter at a minimum of 15°C (60°F), because colder conditions can rot the growing tips. UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions: Plumeria says plumeria suits USDA zones 10B to 11, so in cooler places it is grown in containers and brought indoors when cold weather arrives.
Compost, pot and repotting
The RHS recommends peat-free John Innes No. 2 with extra grit or sharp sand, in containers with good drainage. It says to repot into a slightly larger pot every other year, in February or March, and not to feed for five or six weeks after repotting.
Light and watering
The RHS says to give a bright position and to water from spring to autumn when the plant is dry. UF/IFAS says plumeria grows best in full sun and well-drained soil, and that established plants are fairly drought and salt tolerant. Neither source gives a watering interval in days or a number of sun hours.
Feeding
The RHS says to use a general-purpose pot plant liquid feed every 10 to 14 days from April until the flowers begin to open, or until the end of August if there are no flowers, and not to feed in winter. UF/IFAS does not address fertilizer.
Flowers and fragrance
The RHS says flowers appear from July to October in the UK and names scented cultivars including ‘Aztec Gold’, ‘Thong Taweekun’ and ‘Black Widow’. UF/IFAS describes the flowers as highly aromatic, says they appear from May to November, and says moths visit them but the plants offer little to no nectar.
| Topic | RHS (UK, house or conservatory) | UF/IFAS (Florida) |
|---|---|---|
| Compost | John Innes No. 2 with extra grit | Well-drained soil |
| Light | Bright position | Full sun |
| Winter | Keep dry and airy; minimum 15°C | Dormant and leafless in winter |
| Feeding | Every 10 to 14 days from April | Not addressed |
| Flowers | July to October | May to November |
| Pests | Glasshouse red spider mite | Rust on leaf undersides |
Pruning, cuttings and sap
The RHS says to avoid pruning because the wood is soft and prone to rotting, and if pruning is needed to do it in early spring while dormant. Tip cuttings 10 to 15 cm long can be taken from February to March, with the cut end left to dry for a day or two before it is inserted into well-drained cuttings compost. Both sources warn about sap: the RHS says it may irritate eyes and skin, and UF/IFAS says it contains harmful irritants and advises caution around pets and children.
Pets
UF/IFAS says plumeria is not especially poisonous compared with other landscape plants such as oleander, but that the sap is an irritant. I could not confirm an ASPCA entry for plumeria, so treat it as unconfirmed. See Pet-Safe Fragrant Houseplants.
Frequently asked questions
Can plumeria bloom indoors?
The RHS grows it as a house or conservatory plant and gives flowering months. Neither source promises flowers on a home windowsill, and both stress bright light.
What is the minimum temperature?
The RHS growing guide says 15°C (60°F), because colder conditions can rot the growing tips.
Should I prune plumeria?
The RHS says to avoid pruning, because the wood is soft and prone to rotting.
Is the sap dangerous?
Both sources say it is an irritant. Take care around eyes and skin.
Sources read for this page
Last reviewed 15 October 2026. Written by Md. Firozur Rahman. This page gives general guidance; see the Disclaimer. Browse more in Bloom & Fragrance.
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