The best plumeria companion plants are drought tolerant, sun loving species that like fast draining soil, such as agave, aloe, bougainvillea, lantana and ornamental grasses. Plumeria companion plants must share the same dry habits, because a neighbor that needs frequent watering will drown the plumeria’s roots. Pick low water partners and keep thirsty ones at a distance.
This guide covers which plants pair well, which to avoid and how far to plant them from the trunk. For layout and design ideas, see our guide to landscaping with plumeria.
The rule behind every good pairing
Plumeria stores water in thick stems and wants soil that dries between drinks. University of Florida IFAS Extension says it grows best in full sun and well drained soil. It adds that established plants are fairly tolerant of drought and salt.
Our guide to plumeria water requirements explains the watering side in detail.
That gives you three tests for any companion.
It should be happy with little water. It should not shade the plumeria. Its roots should not crowd the trunk.
A plant that fails any one of these is a poor neighbor, however pretty it is.
Most trouble in mixed beds comes from irrigation, not from the plants. A sprinkler zone set for a lawn keeps the soil around the trunk wet. Wet soil is what causes stem rot and root problems.
Plumeria companion plants at a glance
| Plant | Why it pairs | Water needs | Spacing note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agave | Same dry, sunny habit; bold leaf shape against plumeria branches | Very low | Leave room for the full rosette and pups; sharp tips, so keep off paths |
| Aloe | Low, tidy form that stays under the canopy | Very low | Closer in is fine; protect from frost, as plumeria needs to be |
| Cactus and other succulents | Tolerate the same fast draining mix | Very low | Several feet from the trunk so roots do not tangle |
| Bougainvillea | Blooms best on the dry side; color contrast | Low once established | Thorny and vigorous; give it its own space and prune to size |
| Lantana | Heat loving, long flowering, pollinator friendly | Low once established | Spreads wide; use a sterile or compact type where lantana is invasive |
| Ornamental grasses | Soft texture beside bare plumeria stems in winter | Low to moderate | Choose clumping types, not runners; watch for grasshoppers |
| Bromeliads | Foliage and color in the shade of other plants | Moderate | Place at a distance in part shade, not hard against the trunk |
| Croton | Vivid foliage; works as a backdrop | Moderate | Plant at the outer edge of the bed, not under the plumeria |
| Hibiscus | Similar tropical look | Moderate to high | Keep well apart so its watering does not reach the plumeria |
Succulents, cacti, agave and aloe
These are the safest plumeria companion plants. They store their own water, they want fast drainage and they cope with the same full sun. A mixed bed of agave, aloe and low succulents under and around a plumeria reads as one planting and needs one watering plan.
If you are building a shared bed, a gritty mix helps everything.
A bagged cactus and succulent blend is a convenient base. According to the label, Hoffman’s organic cactus and succulent mix is made for fast drainage. Add extra perlite if you want it grittier.
Our soil for plumeria guide covers the blend in depth.
Mind the sharp edges. Agave tips can injure, so keep them away from walkways and from where you reach in to cut flowers or prune.
Bougainvillea, lantana and other flowering partners
Bougainvillea
Bougainvillea is a classic partner. Growers commonly keep established plants on the dry side, because too much water gives leaves instead of color. That matches plumeria’s habits well.
It is vigorous and thorny, so plant it a good distance away and prune it to stay out of the plumeria’s sunlight.
Lantana
Lantana thrives in heat and keeps flowering through summer, when plumeria is in full bloom. It is drought tolerant once established.
Common lantana is listed as invasive in parts of Florida, Hawaii and other warm regions. Ask your local extension office, and choose a sterile or compact cultivar if that applies to you.
Crotons and bromeliads
Both add foliage color when plumeria is bare, but they use more water than succulents. Plant crotons behind or beside the plumeria rather than under it. Bromeliads suit part shade, so place them where another plant shades them and not where they shade the plumeria.
Ornamental grasses and the grasshopper question
Clumping grasses give soft movement beside plumeria’s heavy stems. Pick clumping types that stay in place, and avoid fast spreading runners that creep toward the trunk.
Tall grass can also shelter grasshoppers, which chew plumeria leaves. If they are common where you live, read our guide on grasshoppers on plumeria and keep grass trimmed back from the plant.
Ground covers and mulch
Bare soil around a plumeria is fine. If you want a living cover, choose a low plant that survives without added irrigation, and avoid anything that needs a regular soak. Gravel or a thin layer of coarse mulch works well too, as long as you keep it pulled back from the trunk so the base stays dry.
Avoid aggressive spreaders. Once a runner takes hold under a plumeria, it competes for water and nutrients. It is also hard to remove without damaging plumeria roots.
What to avoid planting near plumeria
- Lawn grass and any bed on a daily or frequent sprinkler schedule.
- Thirsty perennials and annuals that need constant moisture.
- Invasive ground covers and vines that smother the base.
- Tall or dense plants that cast shade on the plumeria for much of the day.
- Hibiscus right beside it. They look alike but drink far more; our plumeria vs hibiscus comparison shows how different their needs are.
Shade is the quiet problem. A plumeria in too little light grows leggy and flowers poorly, as our plumeria light requirements guide explains.
How far apart should plumeria companion plants be?
There is no official planting distance for companions. Growers commonly leave at least 3 to 4 feet between the trunk and the nearest neighbor, and more for thirsty or fast growing plants. Think about mature size too, which our how big plumeria get guide covers.
It also helps to put plants with similar water needs in the same irrigation zone. Give the plumeria and its dry companions a zone of their own.
Companions in containers
In a pot the same rule applies. Pair a plumeria with a low, drought tolerant plant such as a small succulent. Keep the pot large enough that roots do not compete.
Many growers prefer a single plant per pot so that watering matches the plumeria. See growing plumeria in containers for pot size and soil.
Smaller pots set around a plumeria pot are a flexible alternative. You can move them to adjust shade or water without disturbing the main plant.
The Plumerist toolkit
The gear we would buy if we were starting over.
As an Amazon Associate, Plumerist earns from qualifying purchases.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I plant under a plumeria tree?
Low, drought tolerant plants such as small succulents or aloe work best, planted a few feet from the trunk. Avoid anything that needs regular watering, since that keeps the soil around the plumeria wet.
Can you plant plumeria next to hibiscus?
You can, but keep them apart. Hibiscus wants more water than plumeria tolerates, so a shared spot usually leaves one of them unhappy.
Is it okay to plant grass around plumeria?
Lawn grass is a poor neighbor because lawns are usually watered often. Leave a wide bare or mulched ring around the plumeria, kept dry near the trunk.
Do plumeria need other plants nearby to bloom?
No. Plumeria flower from light, warmth and the right care, not from companions. Neighbors only matter when they shade it or change its watering.
Can I grow herbs near plumeria?
Mediterranean herbs such as rosemary and lavender like dry, sunny, well drained soil, so they can suit it where your climate allows. Thirstier herbs like basil are better in a separate bed.