Welcome to the Plumeria Cultivation & Planting Guide. This is your definitive starting point for turning rooted cuttings, seedlings, or mature specimens into thriving, bloom-laden trees. Inside, you’ll learn how to choose the ideal micro-climate. You will craft well-draining soil mixes. Mastering container-versus-in-ground decisions is also included. You will time each planting task to your growing zone. Step-by-step instructions guide each aspect of planting. Troubleshooting checkpoints help resolve common issues. Nutrition tips based on science ensure your plumeria has strong roots, vigorous growth, and abundant flowers. Whether you garden on a balcony or use raised beds, this guide offers decades of practical experience. It is also helpful if you maintain a full grove. It turns that knowledge into practical, easy-to-follow advice. The guide empowers beginners and seasoned collectors alike to cultivate with confidence.
Top 10 Classic Plumeria Cultivars
Top 10 Classic Plumeria Cultivars
Beloved Varieties That Set the Standard for Beauty, Fragrance, and Performance
Among the thousands of plumeria cultivars introduced over the years, a select group has earned “classic” status for their reliability, beauty, fragrance, and historical significance. These are the cornerstone varieties that helped define the modern plumeria world—many of which are still grown, sold, and loved today by hobbyists and collectors alike.
This article highlights 10 iconic cultivars every grower should know. Each entry includes background, defining traits, and reasons why the variety has remained a favorite across decades and continents.
1. Celadine
The Gold Standard for Beginners and Veterans Alike
- Color: Bright yellow with white outer petal edges
- Scent: Sweet, lemony fragrance
- Flower Size: ~3 inches
- Growth Habit: Vigorous, tall, well-branched
- Notable Traits: Roots easily, blooms heavily, and is fragrant in all conditions
- Why It’s a Classic: One of the most dependable bloomers; ideal for warm and cool zones alike
- AKA: No widely known aliases
2. Jeannie Moragne
A Showstopper That Defined Hybrid Potential
- Color: Deep pink to red with orange and yellow blending at center
- Scent: Strong, sweet, complex
- Flower Size: 4–5 inches
- Growth Habit: Strong and tall, with good branching
- Notable Traits: One of the first “designer” hybrids
- Why It’s a Classic: A pivotal cross from Bill Moragne Sr. that set the stage for bold color breeding
- AKA: None
3. Singapore White (Plumeria obtusa)
Evergreen Beauty for Tropical Landscapes
- Color: Pure white with small yellow throat
- Scent: Clean, jasmine-citrus scent
- Flower Size: ~3 inches
- Growth Habit: Rounded, bushy, semi-evergreen in tropical climates
- Notable Traits: Reliable in hot, humid areas and resorts
- Why It’s a Classic: Staple in Southeast Asia; continuous bloomer under the right conditions
- AKA: Dwarf Singapore White (for compact variant)
4. Kauka Wilder
A Tropical Standard with Reliable Performance
- Color: Deep reddish-pink with golden-orange center
- Scent: Sweet and spicy
- Flower Size: 3–3.5 inches
- Growth Habit: Upright, fast-growing
- Notable Traits: Heat-tolerant and floriferous
- Why It’s a Classic: A Hawaiian mainstay for decades; still widely grown in collections
- AKA: Often just called “Kauka”
5. Duke
Old-School Elegance with Bold Fragrance
- Color: White with thick yellow center, overlapping petals
- Scent: Strong gardenia-like fragrance
- Flower Size: 3.5–4 inches
- Growth Habit: Moderate with good branching
- Notable Traits: Highly fragrant; consistently performs in varied climates
- Why It’s a Classic: One of the most aromatic plumeria cultivars ever introduced
- AKA: None
6. Scott Pratt
Deep Burgundy Beauty with Strong Contrast
- Color: Dark maroon to blood red
- Scent: Light, spicy fragrance
- Flower Size: 3 inches
- Growth Habit: Upright with medium vigor
- Notable Traits: Unique color—often one of the darkest reds available
- Why It’s a Classic: Longtime favorite among collectors for color rarity
- AKA: Often used in crosses for deep red/purple traits
7. Aztec Gold
A Vibrant Yellow That’s Easy to Grow
- Color: Golden yellow with thin white edging
- Scent: Sweet citrus
- Flower Size: 3.5–4 inches
- Growth Habit: Fast-growing, upright
- Notable Traits: Consistent bloomer, great for warm climates
- Why It’s a Classic: A dependable yellow that performs well in full sun
- AKA: None
8. California Sally
Graceful Pink with Old-World Charm
- Color: Soft pink with yellow center
- Scent: Delicate, sweet fragrance
- Flower Size: 3.5–4 inches
- Growth Habit: Compact and symmetrical
- Notable Traits: Blooms early and often
- Why It’s a Classic: Popular since the mid-20th century; often one of the first to bloom
- AKA: Sally
9. Lea Rainbow
A Beautiful Blend of Pastel Shades
- Color: White base with pink and yellow swirls
- Scent: Mild, fruity
- Flower Size: 3.5 inches
- Growth Habit: Balanced and moderately vigorous
- Notable Traits: Petal color shifts slightly with weather
- Why It’s a Classic: Early multicolor hybrid that influenced future bicolor lines
- AKA: Sometimes confused with “Hilo Beauty”
10. Samoan Fluff
Compact, Round-Petaled and Very Fragrant
- Color: Pure white with creamy yellow center
- Scent: Strong, creamy-sweet
- Flower Size: 3.5 inches
- Growth Habit: Dwarf to medium compact
- Notable Traits: Rounded “fluffy” petals with consistent blooming
- Why It’s a Classic: A garden favorite for white-flower lovers and container growers
- AKA: Fluff
Conclusion
These ten classic plumeria cultivars have stood the test of time, earning reputations for dependable blooming, captivating scent, garden performance, and in some cases, historical influence in hybridization. Whether you’re just starting your plumeria collection or refining a mature grove, these varieties are essential benchmarks for quality and character.
Each one tells a story of origin, selection, and staying power—and continues to inspire today’s hybridizers and gardeners alike.