Troubleshooting
White Frangipani problems — and how to fix them
White Frangipani (Plumeria alba) is generally forgiving once you match its basics, but a few issues come up again and again. Here is what each one looks like, why it happens, and the fix.
Black-tip rot
Stem tips turn black and mushy, spreading downward — caused by Plenodomus (Phoma) plumeriae or cold/moisture stress. Cut back to clean tissue with a sterile blade, dust with sulphur, and callous. Prevent by keeping plants dry and warm during dormancy.
Frangipani rust (Coleosporium plumeriae)
Bright orange spore masses on leaf undersides, often causing heavy premature defoliation. Remove affected leaves immediately, apply copper fungicide, and avoid wetting foliage. Most severe in warm humid summers.
Spider mites in dry indoor conditions
Fine webbing and stippled, pale leaf surfaces indicate mite infestation. Increase air circulation, mist the undersides of leaves, or apply neem oil or insecticidal soap. Avoid over-dry, over-warm winter storage conditions which favour mite build-up.
Prevent white frangipani problems before they start
Most white frangipani issues are care-mismatch, not bad luck. Dial in the basics:
Looking for white frangipani in general rather than its problems? Read the full white frangipani care guide — light, water, soil and feeding.
White Frangipani problems — FAQ
Why is my white frangipani black-tip rot?
Stem tips turn black and mushy, spreading downward — caused by Plenodomus (Phoma) plumeriae or cold/moisture stress. Cut back to clean tissue with a sterile blade, dust with sulphur, and callous. Prevent by keeping plants dry and warm during dormancy.
Why is my white frangipani frangipani rust (coleosporium plumeriae)?
Bright orange spore masses on leaf undersides, often causing heavy premature defoliation. Remove affected leaves immediately, apply copper fungicide, and avoid wetting foliage. Most severe in warm humid summers.
Why is my white frangipani spider mites in dry indoor conditions?
Fine webbing and stippled, pale leaf surfaces indicate mite infestation. Increase air circulation, mist the undersides of leaves, or apply neem oil or insecticidal soap. Avoid over-dry, over-warm winter storage conditions which favour mite build-up.