Plumeria Care: How To Root A Plumeria Cutting

Root your plumeria right the first time to avoid stem rot and the need to re-cut and re-root again later, or fully lose your cutting.

The Basics:

Plumeria can be rooted by planting the cutting in a good soil mix and a little basic care. I have had the best results rooting cuttings by potting in a mixture of 50% potting soil and 50% perlite. Make sure the cutting is callused first though. Look for our info on callusing the cutting. Callusing protects the cut end and leads to faster and better rooting. I use a humidity box with good results. Look for our info on building a humidity box. Don't plant the cutting too deep in the pot as this usually keeps the cut end in the soil medium with the highest moisture content. That usually leads to rotting and losing the cutting.

Supplies:

A 6 inch clear plastic orchid pot works well because you can generally see what is going on inside the pot during the rooting process. This allows you to check moisture content as well as when rooting appears. I use a stake to tie the cutting and hold it at the proper rooting depth. This orchid stake measures 18 inches. These potting kit can be ordered directly from our website.

Potting is a mixture of 50% sterilized potting soil and 50% perlite. Make sure the cutting is tied to the stake securely so that approximately 2 inches of the cutting will be in contact with the potting soil

Your cutting is now secure in it’s new pot and should be well watered and located to a warm and well lighted area. Do not water again until soil is completely dry or until roots are spotted along inside of pot. Cutting takes about 90 days (spring or summer) to become fully rooted.