Not a grass (Plumeria/Frangipani)
Plumeria rubra (or similar genus species) · Perennial Tropical Shrub/Tree
Grass Family
Apocynaceae (Dogbane family)
Grass Category
Ornamental Tropical Shrub
Variety / Cultivar
Unknown (broad-leafed tropical cultivar)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 10-12; extremely frost-sensitive; enters dormancy and drops leaves below 50°F (10°C).
About This Grass
Note: The plant in the image is not a grass, but a Plumeria. It features thick, succulent, grayish-green stems topped with clusters of large, leathery, spirally-arranged leaves. It is famous for its fragrant, five-petaled flowers which are absent here. Height can reach 15-25 feet if planted in-ground.
Blade Characteristics
Leaves (not blades) are 6-12 inches long, elliptical to obovate with a prominent central vein and parallel lateral veins. Tips are pointed or rounded depending on species. Texture is leathery and smooth.
Root System
Tuberous, thick, and relatively shallow; non-invasive, does not form sod or thatch; slow to moderate establishment speed.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean; widely adapted to tropical and subtropical climates worldwide
Growth Habit
Upright, succulent-stemmed woody shrub or small tree; not spreading via rhizomes or stolons
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun (6+ hours); low water requirements once established; prefers well-draining sandy or loamy soils; high drought tolerance but sensitive to overwatering and root rot.
Mowing & Maintenance
Not applicable (cannot be mowed). Pruning is done for shaping or propagation. Low maintenance in suitable climates; high maintenance in cold climates requiring indoor overwintering.
Special Characteristics
Salt tolerant; produces toxic milky sap (latex); excellent for tropical landscaping; fragrant flowers used in leis; prone to Frangipani rust and spider mites.
Ecological Information
Introduced/Ornamental in most regions; provides nectar for sphinx moths; no invasive tendencies in most dry-to-mesic landscapes; often potted in non-tropical zones.