How to Grow Plumeria in a Cold Climate

Plant your plumeria in the ground or in a container in a location that gets at least six hours of direct sun a day. Make sure the soil is well draining. Plumeria does not like wet soils and is subject to rot.

Provide at least 1 inch of water a week if rainfall is scarce. Feed the plant every two to three weeks with a high-phosphorous fertilizer, such as one made for roses or tomatoes.

Transplant the plumeria to a container in September, if it has been growing in the ground. The plant will soon begin to go dormant or semidormant, dropping its foliage.

Bring the container indoors as soon as nighttime temperatures fall below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. The container can go anywhere in the house where the temperature is between 40 and 70 F, in a dark or lit spot. If the plant is in a bright spot, it may stay semidormant and produce a couple of leaves. Provide a small amount of water once a month -- a cup or two for an 8- to 10-inch pot -- just to moisten the soil barely.

Return the plant outside as the temperatures warm up in spring. Commence watering and feeding the plumeria. If possible, bring the container out in the daytime, and bring it back inside at night. This will give the plant a head start and the longest possible growing season to produce more blooms. When nighttime temperatures are above 50 F, the plumeria can stay outside.

Supplement your regular fertilizing program with a solution of Epsom salts and water -- 1 tablespoon per gallon of water -- once every three to four weeks during spring. The extra magnesium is beneficial to plumeria to aid in blooming and overall health. Use the solution to water the plant, but do not overwater.