What Kind of Soil is used for Plumeria?

Plumeria is admired by people for its lush leaves and attractive flowers but it is hard to grow in regular soil. Choosing the perfect soil for your Plumeria is first if you want to grow it because of its special need.

Plumeria is grown both indoors and outdoors in a loam-based soil that is not fully clay or sandy and helps the plant nourish, retain moisture and thrive. If you want to make your own soil from scratch, then this is the right choice.

This guide will tell you everything about the Soil for Plumerias. Right from its types to fix the plant. You will also learn about the types, right soil, components of good soil, right pot, and repotting for your Plumeria. Along with Tips and your own DIY steps to make your own soil for the Plumeria.

Also Read: What Kind of Soil is Used for Japanese Maple?

What is Plumeria?

Plumeria is a flowering plant from the family Apocynaceae. They grow to be shrubs or even small trees. This ornamental plant is native to Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean. Plumeria is the scientific name of the plant and the name can change according to the region and variety. This plant has a thick branch and long green leaves which can grow up to 30 inches in height. Plumeria releases more fragrances at night to attract moths. They are easily propagated by cutting stem tips.

According to USDA, Sensitive skin people should avoid touching any part of the Plumeria flower as they yield mildly poisonous alkaloids which may cause skin irritation, and mild stomach pain in people.

What are the types of Plumeria?

Plumerias are available in various colors and slightly different shapes. Among these white is the most common. Let us learn more about the common three types:

• Plumeria obtusa– This is the most common type and great white frangipani. This type needs at least 6 hours of sunlight daily and grows up to 20 feet tall. The flower appears in clusters with a yellow throat and a white body in round-shaped petals. The leaves can grow up to 8 inches long. This is the most fragrant fuel type.
• Plumeria Stenophylla– This tropical variety is used to make a Hawaiian lei (flower wreath). The five-petal flower comes in white color with elongated petals. The flower petal is curved and can be grown as a little tree.
• Plumeria Rubra– This Thailand red perennial flower is a deciduous shrub. This variety is loved for its red to magenta petals with a yellow shade in them. They are mostly free of pests.

Can I use any Soil for Plumeria?

No, you can’t use any soil for Plumeria. Plumeria works well in well-drained and aerated soil. Avoid garden soil in any situation as it does not have the right drainage for Plumeria. Also, avoid sandy soil as it breaks the plant with too much draining of water, and clay soil as they make the soil filled with water. Potting soil which is used for other plants also can’t be directly used for Plumeria. Special potting mix or cactus mix can be used for Plumeria. Using soil that gives the right drainage, the gritty and well-aerated place is the best soil for Plumeria.

What is the good soil pH for Plumeria?

The Good soil pH for Plumeria is 6.5 to 7.0. pH stands for the potential of hydrogen and uses a chemical scale to identify the nature of the substance. Testing for soil pH is the first step in getting to know the soil. Ph can range from 1 to 14. Any soil with a pH higher than 7 is alkaline and less than 7 is acidic. Opt for a pH test to find the soil pH level. Plumeria grows best in slightly acidic soil. If the soil is too alkaline, it may affect the plant. To make the soil acidic, add peat moss or vinegar to the soil.

What are the Components of the Best Soil for Plumeria?

 Three main components should be present in the soil to make it the best soil for Plumeria. Let us take a look at them:

• Well Drainage- A well-draining soil is essential for Plumeria. If grown in a pot, it needs a drainage hole for proper drainage. Water sitting in the pot may lead to fungal disease and destroy the root. Adding pebbles to the pot with soil will help solve the problem. If grown on land, add coco coir to improve drainage in the soil.
• Good aeration- Plumeria like damp soil but they should have good aeration too. As Plumeria love dry and light soil to get the proper aeration, giving that will help them grow. Providing extra aeration to the soil will boost the growth of the plant.
• Soil Texture- The texture of the soil for Plumeria should be from damp to moist. The Plumeria soil prefers a very light and loose soil which also holds enough moisture which helps in root growth. The texture of indoor and outdoor soil can vary as one will be in a pot and the other in the land.

Did you Know?

• Plumeria is named after a Botanist, Charles Plumier to honor his works.
• Plumeria is the national flower of Nicaragua and Laos. In Laos, it is called Dok Champa and in Nicaragua, it is called Sacuanjoche. 
• Plumeria has more than 200+ species in the world. Plumeria is also commonly known as Frangipani and Melia in Hawaii.
• Plumeria can live for more than 40 years in healthy conditions.

What kind of Soil is Best for Plumeria?

The best soil for plumeria is Loamy soil. Loamy soil has a mix of sand, silt, and clay content in it. It will give the right amount of drainage, retention, and texture as well as nutrients in the soil for Plumeria. 

In the case of indoor plants, Select a soil that does have all the above-mentioned components for Plumeria soil. Buying potting soil or potting mix and making amendments could do the work.

In the case of outdoor plants, buying organic garden soil doesn’t do the work. But with the required amendments it will be made for the Plumeria.

How to Prepare Potting Soil for Plumeria?

To prepare the potting soil for Plumeria, add Two parts of minerals such as sand or perlite, coconut coir and barks to One part of the potting soil. Depending on the clay content in potting soil, add one or two parts of coarse sand to it. This sand will help to make better aeration in the soil. The next part is adding perlite (volcanic rock) or gravel or marbles to increase the drainage of the soil. 

The Preparation of Potting soil for Plumeria is easy. Succulent soils are quite opposite to potting soil. Potting soil loves to hold moisture but directly having that for Plumeria is a wrong idea. Adding potting soil directly for Plumeria makes the root rot. But adding the minerals and mending the soil to improve drainage and aeration will make the potting soil doable. 

DIY Tips to make soil for Plumeria at Home (Complete guide)

Making your own mix takes the involvement but it gives organic results without the use of fertilizers from commercials. To make your own DIY soil for your Plumeria:

Some tips to know before you start making your soil mix for plants. Since it needs soil that holds aeration as well as drainage. Collecting everything beforehand will be good.

• Collect all the ingredients before you start making the soil.
• Take time to mix the ingredients.
• Learn other items like reading a pH tester, types of nutrients, and their uses.

Tools

• Gear up with gloves to avoid dirt from the soil.
• Measuring cup or instrument to measure the ingredients.
• Bucket or vessel to make space to mix the soil.
• A small shovel/ Trowel to mix the soil.
• Dust mask.

Ingredients

There are plenty of ingredients one can use to get great soil for your Plumeria plant. The plant’s need for certain ingredients changes depending on its location and environment.

• Coarse sand– The sand is added to give a loose texture to the soil. The coarse sand is added to reduce the clay content in the soil.
• Compost– Compost is a mixture of organic waste formed and added to soil to enrich it. 
• Perlite– Perlite is formed from volcanic emission. They make the best aeration for the succulent soil.
• Coconut coir– The coconut fiber is made from coconut husk and used for many purposes. They are used in soil to improve soil texture, drainage, and aeration.
• Pine bark
• Potting mix-The potting mix with the soil makes the potting soil. Potting mix has peat moss, perlite, vermiculite, and many others. 

Recipe

Here are my trusted recipes to make your own soil for Plumeria:

Recipe 1

• 2 Part Potting soil
• 1 Part Perlite

Recipe 2

• 1 Part Sand
• 1 Part Perlite
• 1 Part Peat moss

Follow-up

After collecting all the required ingredients and tools add the measured ingredients to the vessel with the help of a trowel and add One part of each perlite, peat moss, and sand and blend it well so both are mixed. If you are using potting soil then add 1 part Perlite to 2 part potting soil Cactus or succulent soils can also be used with some amendment as soil for the Plumeria plant.

Where to Buy Soil for Plumeria?

Soil for Plumeria can be bought in a commercial store or online. In stores, you can get opinions from expert people in the field to explain and give soil according to the plant. But the chances are there will be added chemical fertilizers in the soil. Online, you can make your choice based on the review, rating, and the right mix mentioned on the label. With whatever way of buying the soil, adding some soil conditioner will help for the betterment of the plant as well the soil.

3 Best Commercial Brands to buy soil for Plumeria

Miracle-gro

The miracle-gro indoor potting mix is best for indoor plants. This light and the fast-draining mix contains coconut coir and fertilizers. The product is certified by the mulch and soil council for the standard. Adding perlite or any amendments to the pot with this mix is required to grow the succulents. Miracle-gro gives premium quality, value-for-money products at a reasonable rate. They also provide various other types of potting mixes and all-purpose soil. Plant food and fertilizers at affordable prices for the plants.

Hoffman 

The Hoffman organic cactus and succulent soil mix is specially formulated to provide proper drainage for plants such as succulents, aloe, and Plumeria. It is a blend of sphagnum moss, sand, fertile, peat, and limestone. These are ready-to-use mixed with direct-to-use mentioned in the product label. They also give tips on feeding, light, and repotting.

Fox Farm 

The Fox Farm organic potting soil is all natural ready to use a potting mix with worm casting. This product from Fox Farm is mentioned as ideal for seedlings but also as a pack of nutrients for grown plants. The pH level in this soil is adjusted to make the most of the soil for the containers or potted plants. The soil is lightweight and well-aerated which makes it also suitable for all natural mix grown plants for healthier growth. The nutrients in this soil make it perfect for both indoor and outdoor gardening.

Tips to grow Plumeria

• Keeping the Plumeria in a humid area with bright light but not direct sunlight will make the plant grow faster.
• The direct sunlight requirement for the Plumeria plant is at least 5 hours a day.
• Plumeria needs soil that is well draining and mildly acidic with rich nutrients.

Selecting the Right Pot for Plumeria

Picking the right pot for Plumeria is essential because of its weight. The right pot for a Plumeria plant is categorized with the size and material of the pot. 

The pot for the plant can be plastic, ceramic, or wood. But the best one for Plumeria is Nursery Containers because of their porous nature. To have a well-draining quality make holes in it. This will be very helpful to avoid over-watering plants.

The Size of the pot for Plumeria can not be fixed. There is no perfect size pot for plants. Giving the plant a pot that is two sizes bigger than the plant will be good. In that way, repotting can be done in a year or two.

Is Cactus Mix Good for Plumeria?

Yes, the cactus soil mix is good for Plumeria. Keeping a check on the sand in the soil will only make the difference. Cactus plants need more sandy soil than Plumeria. Cactus and Plumeria both need soil with similar components. So, they can be used for one another. Cactus potting mix is used for potted Plumeria plants as they give enough drainage for the plant needs.

When and How to Repot a Plumeria?

Repotting a Plumeria once a year during spring will enrich the plant with nutrients in the new soil. Repotting can be done at certain times:

• When the plant has outgrown the container in which it grows. The plant growth will become shunned if a large plant is grown in a small pot.
• If the plant is Broken or externally damaged, it needs to be repotted. For such plants to recover it needs more nutrients from the new soil.
• Fungal or bacterial infection can damage the soil too deep to hurt the soil, at that time there is a need to repot the Plumeria.
• Root rot is not a major problem and the plant can recover on its own. But at times, when it gets severe repotting should be done to save the plant and root. Root rot is caused because of over or under-watering.
• When the store-bought plant is in a small pot disregarding its size, repotting is a must. 

Repotting need not be done in yellow leaves, dropping leaves, dryness, sunburn, and insect-invaded soil.

To repot Plumerias, selecting a container or pot regarding the size of the plant is the first step. The two factors which determine the pot size are Water requirement and growth space which:

• Loosen the plant from the pot with a shovel and dug it out.
• Remove the soil rock and remove any debris from the root to add it to the new soil.
• Place the plant in a new pot with ⅔ new soil and fill in the sides to make the plant straight.
• Add water and potting mix to make up for the lost nutrients.

Wrapping up

With proper care, your Plumeria will grow to have sparkly green leaves and vibrant flowers. Making the best soil for plumeria will help your plant for full and healthy growth which also aids the plant to have good aeration, drainage, and nutrients. You can make your own DIY soil for the Plumeria with proper guidance. Follow the above-mentioned steps to grow a healthy Plumeria. Also, keep checking the plant and soil to avoid pest problems. If there is any problem with the plant, follow the repotting steps and swap it for better soil.

Happy Planting!

FAQ’s

1. Can I use garden soil for Plumeria?

No, you can’t use garden soil for Plumeria because of its water-holding capacity.

2. Do Plumerias grow well in the pot?

Yes, plumerias grow well in pots with the right soil and sunlight.

3. How often should I repot Plumeria?

Plumeria should be repotted three years once or when the plant outgrows the pot.

4. Does Plumeria have deep roots?

No, plumeria has shallow roots that go 20+ inches in the soil which is much lesser compared to the plant height.