Best Fertilizer for Plumeria: Complete Reviews

Growing plants can be one of the most rewarding hobbies, but it can also be frustrating when the plants are not as healthy as you hoped they would be.

Having the best fertilizer for plumeria and other specialty plants may be necessary for the prettiest blooms, but which fertilizer is best?

Plumeria relies on having the right type of soil to grow well, and adding the proper fertilizer can help your plant thrive.

On the other hand, using the wrong fertilizer can make the plant struggle even more than it already is.

It’s important to understand why you are choosing a fertilizer and how to use it most effectively in order to help your plumeria plants thrive.

Today, you can learn more about what plumeria plants need to thrive. These five fertilizers are among the best.

See which one will fit your situation and help your plumeria plants to flower beautifully.

Best Fertilizer for Plumeria: A Review 

This Article Picks:

1. Nelson Plumeria Plant 5-30-5 Granular Fertilizer

The first fertilizer is specifically made for plumerias and available for a great price.

The Nelson Plumeria Plant 5-30-5 Granular Fertilizer has a lot to offer.

Review

The Nelson Plumeria and All Flowering Tropical Evergreen Plant Food is a 5-30-5 granular fertilizer.

This means that it helps feed the plant a mixture of 5% nitrogen, 30% phosphate, and 5% soluble potash.

Plumeria plants can really benefit from having this type of composition, and they can particularly benefit from a high amount of phosphate to bloom properly.

After pruning your plumerias, the balanced ingredients in this fertilizer can help the plant regrow with more fullness.

Extra phosphorus promotes blooming, while the added sulfur helps ensure the soil remains at a good acidity level for plumerias.

Formulated specifically for plumerias, this fertilizer is also great for lei plants, ground orchids, tree ferns, peace lilies, Ixora, candle trees, and other tropical plants.

You can use the Nelson Plumeria and All Flowering Tropical Evergreen Plant Food on indoor and outdoor plants.

It is also known to show rapid results on leaf and stem growth.

Pros:

• Noticeable growth difference
• Helps leaves and growth fill out
• Easy to use
• Also good for other tropical plants

Cons:

• May need to supplement nitrogen in certain climates
• Strong smell

2. Grow More 7510 Hawaiian Bud and Bloom 5-50-17

The next fertilizer we are examining is the Grow More 7510 Hawaiian Bud and Bloom 5-50-17.

It’s a high-phosphorus fertilizer popular not just as a plumeria food but also for many tropical plants.

Review

This Grow More Bud and Bloom is a 5-50-17 soluble fertilizer. It contains 5 % nitrogen, 50% phosphorous, and 17% soluble potash.

This combination is great for tropical plants such as plumeria that need extra phosphorus.

The concentrate is a water-soluble, urea-free formula.

Commercial agriculture businesses are known to use this formula, specifically, when working on getting better blooms.

Since the Grow More Bud and Bloom is water-soluble, it can be used for both soil and foliage applications.

The micronutrients in this blend are chelated, so the plant’s roots and foliage absorb them easily for faster results.

Plants treated with this fertilizer should see the rapid growth of new leaves and larger growth patterns in all respects.

Pros:

• Plumeria thrive after a few uses
• Easy to use to feed
• Also good for starters and transplants
• Formulated for a wide variety of plants

Cons:

• Best for plants that need acidic soil
• Can burn plants easily if not used properly

3. Dr. Earth Exotic Blend Fertilizer

A great affordable fertilizer option for plumerias is the Dr. Earth Exotic Blend Fertilizer. It is known for its super organic ingredient list.

Review

This Dr. Earth product is a 6-4-6 fertilizer, which is not as commonly marketed as being specifically for tropical plants.

This is one of the organic blends that can work well for plumerias that are still in their early stages of growth.

Plumeria plants need extra phosphorus to bloom but cannot bloom under their stems that have been growing for long enough.

Usually, they need about one or two years of growth before it will be possible for blooms to form.

A 6-4-6 blend can ensure that the plant’s leaves and roots are strong enough to support blooming and can be used year-round.

By supplementing them with extra phosphorus during growing months, you can be sure to get blooms along with the great growth this fertilizer promotes.

Some people have also found that their soil actually has enough phosphorus.

Thus, using something that isn’t so high in phosphorus can be a good way to not over-do things.

Pros:

• Non-GMO fertilizer
• Safe for people and pets
• Good for year-round use
• Sustainably made in the USA
• Great for leaf and root growth

Cons:

• Strong smell
• Best used as a tea, which requires extra prep work

4. Scotts Super Bloom Water Soluble 12-55-6 Plant Food

Next up, we’re hitting a more traditional, bloom-focused fertilizer with the Scotts Super Bloom Water Soluble 12-55-6 Plant Food.

Review

This water-soluble plant fertilizer is a 12-55-6 blend that contains 12% nitrogen, 55% phosphorus, and 6% potash.

The very high amount of phosphorus makes this a super bloom fertilizer.

It is primarily used on plants that need extra assistance to flower better.

Since this is a water-soluble fertilizer, it feeds plants instantly and does not gradually feed over like granular fertilizers.

Accordingly, Scotts recommends using the fertilizer every one or two weeks for the best results.

The soil should also be wet before you add the fertilizer for best results.

While marketed for outdoor plants, it can be used for container plants indoors as long as you are careful about the amount used to prevent any burning.

Pros:

• Promotes an abundance of blooms
• A good amount of nitrogen for leaf growth
• Feeds instantly
• Reliable fertilizer brand

Cons:

• May need to add Epsom salt to prevent acidic soil from getting even more acidic
• Needs to be used frequently

5. EarthPods Premium Plant Food

The last plumeria plant food that we’re examining today is the EarthPods Premium Plant Food, a popular choice for many tropical plants.

Review

These stick fertilizers are a unique way to fertilize your plants since all you need to do is stick it into the soil by your plant and then water the plant.

EarthPods has formulated this tropical fertilizer to be great for plumerias, lei plants, anthuriums, heliconias, blood lilies, passion flowers, and many other plants with similar needs.

No measuring is required when using these pods. The frequency of use will depend on your growing situation and what plants you are feeding.

In most cases, the pods should be used every two to three weeks.

The EarthPods work like a granular fertilizer. It dissolves over time and feeds for a prolonged period compared to water-soluble fertilizers.

EarthPods is dedicated to being an eco-friendly and sustainable brand.

Its sustainable products are made in the USA with as little environmental impact as possible.

Pros:

• Eco-friendly company and packaging
• Incredibly easy to use
• Promotes both blooms and leaf growth
• Works quickly

Cons:

• Could be too strong for some plants
• Can be expensive

Plumeria Plant Food FAQs

Before choosing which fertilizer you want to use for your plants, you should learn a bit more about plumeria and what they need to eat.

Plumeria plant food is not a one-size-fits-all thing. That’s because every growing situation can have its own differences to consider.

Let’s walk through the most commonly asked questions today.

1. Should You Fertilize Plumerias?

Plumeria is a type of tropical tree that is most suited for USDA cones 10 and 11.

However, when grown outside of these zones, they are typically grown in small containers.

This way, you can move them indoors as needed to survive the temperature changes.

To grow and bloom successfully, plumeria needs to have the right kind of soil. This is particularly true when you grow it in containers.

Plumerias should also be fertilized regularly, especially when grown in small areas, containers, or outside of their natural growth zones.

Fertilizing all plants is a good idea since you can ensure that the right nutrients are available for your plant to thrive.

2. When Should I Fertilize My Plumeria?

Figuring out when to fertilize your plumeria can be a difficult thing.

Plumeria does have a natural growth cycle, which means it will go dormant for part of the year.

The period when your plant goes dormant might vary from plant to plant depending on your location, but most people will find that their plants go dormant in the winter.

Your plant will need the most fertilizing during summer when it is actively growing.

It is best to fertilize every three to six weeks during the growing season, depending on how much fertilizer you are using and how strong it is.

Granular fertilizers will last longer than other types of fertilizer, so keep this in mind when making your fertilizing schedule.

Usually, fertilizing needs to be done most consistently from April through September, when plumeria is actively growing.

3. What Do You Feed Plumerias?

What exactly are you looking to feed your plumerias when fertilizing?

The thing that plumeria plants need most is phosphorous, and you want to make sure that you also limit the amount of nitrogen to prevent your container plant from getting too tall.

Nitrogen is the first number on fertilizer labels; phosphorous is the middle number. This means that fertilizers that are low-high-low in ratios may be a good fit.

Of course, the specific fertilizer that will react best with your plant will depend on your soil and locale.

Additionally, you should keep in mind that fertilizer can raise the acidity level of the soil.

While plumeria prefers slightly acidic soil, you want to be sure those levels don’t get too high.

Adding Epsom salts can help to neutralize overly acidic soil.

4. Are Coffee Grounds Good for Plumeria Plants?

Some gardeners have reported using coffee grounds to add some acidity to their soil, but is this truly effective?

Yes and no. In situations where your tap water is neutral or alkaline, and you are growing in a pot, your soil may not be acidic enough for a plumeria to thrive.

Adding coffee grounds can help this, but a better method would be to use plumeria fertilizers to raise the acidity.

Still, you can add some coffee grounds to help improve the overall dirt composition.

5. Why Is My Plumeria Not Blooming?

If your plumeria is not blooming, there is a good chance that it is not getting enough phosphorus during its blooming season.

Try to increase how frequently you feed your plumeria and make sure that you have chosen high phosphorus plumeria fertilizers.

If you live in a colder climate, you may also benefit from adding some type of heat mat or lamp to your indoor setup.

The plants can survive winter dormancy, but they can benefit more from extra light and heat.

Plumeria plant buds need around two months of warmth before it opens, so adding this during the month or before summer can really help supplement early spring light.

Finally, remember that plumeria plants often do not bloom until one or two years after the branch forms.

New growth will not flower immediately; give the plant time to mature.

The Best Plumeria Food Options

The best fertilizer for plumeria will give extra phosphorus to the plant.

Phosphorus and the right growing conditions will work together to ensure the plants beautifully flower each summer or growing season.

Among all of the options we reviewed, the Nelson Plumeria Plant 5-30-5 Granular Fertilizer is likely to be the top option.

It is specifically formulated to use for plumerias, and gardeners have seen great results on both foliage and blooms while using it.

Another great option for those struggling to see plumeria blooms is the Scotts Super Bloom Water Soluble 12-55-6 Plant Food.

This fertilizer is specifically made to boost blooming and can work wonders on tropical plants.

Remember, though, that not one fertilizer will work for everyone or every plant. Be willing to make adjustments based on your specific plant needs.

By paying close attention to how your plant is growing, you will be able to identify exactly what your plant needs to thrive.