How do I care for my Plumerias?

Penne Johnson
by Penne Johnson

I have tried to put my pulmerias under the eves of my house in order for them not to become drenched with rain. As they are all in pots, I know they don't like their feet wet and am wondering if I should take them out and put new dry soil in the pots and reuse the wet soilelsewhere. Pots just don't drain dry or even as fast as ground does.

  2 answers
  • Cindy Cindy on Jan 10, 2019

    Hi Penne. I'm Cindy. When you grow Plumeria's in pots, you should use well draining soil. Some people grow them in cactus soil. You could also add perlite and sand in your soil mix. I don't know if replacing your wet soil would help, but it sure won't hurt them either. If you find yourself in a situation where your pots don't have good drainage, there's another method to use instead. Put some rocks in the pot. About 3 or 4 inches of rocks. Then put a couple layers of newspaper on top of the rocks. Next, put your soil mix in the pot and finally the plant goes in. Now when the plant gets too much water, the extra water will sit in the rocks and not on the roots. I have been using this method for years and it has always worked for me. Good luck Penne.

    • Penne Johnson Penne Johnson on Jan 11, 2019

      Hi Cindy. Thanks loads for your advise. As I said below, I need to get larger rocks for the bottom of my pots as I'm sure some of the small ones block the holes, and also find the soil blocks at times. I have been using the soil from Home Depot that has

      the Perlite soil and place my pots on a raised object so there is air space thinking it would help for drainage, We have another week of rain next week ODD for Calif, but we need it, so will plan on changing out the soil and replanting them with the suggestions you and Nancy gave me. Thanks so much Penne

  • Nancy Turner Nancy Turner on Jan 10, 2019

    I, too also put rocks or gravel big enough to not go through the drain holes, or put landscape fabric on the bottom to hold them in. It really does help the drainage. If you don't have something to help the drainage, the soil can sometimes block the drainage holes, especially if they have the attached trays on the bottom. When I have my plants outside I always remove those attached trays so that they don't hold water.