How to Prune Plumeria

Overview

A shrub or small tree, plumeria are generally warm-weather plants with showy, fragrant flower clusters. The fragrance is prevalent in body lotions and soaps. Plumeria will not tolerate cold and should be moved indoors in frost-prone areas. Pruning plumeria will keep it fresh and force blooms for the following season. In addition, prunings may be easily rooted for new plants.

Pruning Plumeria

Step 1

Cut plumeria back with diagonal cuts using a knife, pruning shears or saw, depending on the size of the branch. Cuts should be clean and made in one motion. Pruned area will bleed sap for a day or so.

Step 2

Prune dead or diseased branches by cutting a few inches below dead or diseased section. Dispose of cuttings to avoid spread of disease.

Step 3

Apply fungicide at the tip of the pruned area to prevent disease from spreading to the rest of the plant.

Step 4

Encourage growth by pruning from the top. This will promote growth of lateral branches, which will cause the plant to fill out.

Step 5

Create new plants by selecting a branch that has three or four limbs. Cut about one foot below the area where one of the limbs has forked, and use this piece as your new cutting. Dip into a root hormone to induce growth before planting.

Step 6

Prune plumeria any time of year, though pruning during the late winter-early spring will encourage the most new growth.