Plumeria ‘Purple Shell’
frangipani
Frangipani. Fragrant flowers are purple on the edges, then white, with yellow centers. Long deciduous period over winter. Likes warm spots, good drainage, or indoors in sunroom.
 Height | 4–18ft |
|---|---|
 Width | 4–10ft |
 Tolerates | Heat, Pots, Salt |
 Water needs | When soil is mostly dry. |
This plumeria is from an area in Mexico with summer rainfall and is actively growing during that time, when it is forgiving of overwatering errors and in fact appreciates ample water. During winter dormancy it should be kept extra dry and will be intolerant of overwatering especially if combined with cold weather. Remember that if kept in a small pot your plant will want more frequent watering. | |
 Hardy to | 35°F |
 Exposure | Partial Direct – Direct Sun |
 Plant traits | Deciduous, Flowering, Fragrant Flower, Shrub, Tree, Tropical |
 Indoor / outdoor | Indoor |
 Drainage | In Ground: Cactus Mix, In Pots: Cactus Mix, Tolerates Sandy Soil |
 Fertilizing | Bloom |
 Origin | Tropical Americas |
 California native | No |
 Sunset zones | 13, 21–24 |
Growing Notes
Plumeria can be pruned back hard (best done in spring before the leaf out) and will regrow from wherever they are pruned too. These cuttings are easily rooted moving into the summer growing season.
Thin stems on a small shrub grow into an impressive gnarled tree with great age.
While we typically think of plumeria being not frost hardy, they do thrive in cold sunset zones such as SSZ 13 because of their dry winters and gritty mineral soil.
Special Interest
Incredibly fragrant when in bloom, especially indoors. That iconic smell of the tropics.
Frangipani is such a curios common name, with roots as far back as the sixteenth century! During that time an Italian named Marquis Frangipani created an intoxicating perfume that coincidentally smelled of plumeria. Around this same time plumeria were discovered in the Americas and made their explosion around the globe. The flowers reminded many of Marquis perfume and the common name Frangipani was born.
The above information reflects the observations of Grubb and Nadler and our extended plant community. We always consider input from fellow horticulturists and welcome feedback from those with additional information on the culture of this plant.
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