Plumeria vs Frangipani: Are They the Same Plant?
Same beautiful flower, two different names.
Quick answer
Yes — plumeria and frangipani are two names for the same plant, the tropical flowering genus Plumeria. "Plumeria" is the botanical name used in the US and Hawaii; "frangipani" is the common name used in Australia, Asia, and much of the world. There is no difference between them.
- ✓Plumeria and frangipani are identical — the same genus, Plumeria
- ✓"Plumeria" honors botanist Charles Plumier; "frangipani" comes from the Italian Frangipani family
- ✓US and Hawaii say plumeria; Australia, Asia, and Europe say frangipani
- ✓Most-grown species: Plumeria rubra (colorful, deciduous) and Plumeria obtusa (white, evergreen)
- ✓Also called temple tree, champa, kalachuchi, melia, and the lei flower
Are Plumeria and Frangipani the Same Plant?
Plumeria, also called frangipani, is a tropical flowering shrub in the dogbane family (Apocynaceae), prized for its fragrant, waxy blooms. There is no botanical difference between a plant labeled "plumeria" and one labeled "frangipani" — the two words describe exactly the same genus, just in different parts of the world.
Why Does This Plant Have Two Names?
The plant has two names because a scientist and a scent gave rise to them independently. One name is the formal botanical label; the other grew out of a fragrance that reminded Europeans of the flower. Here is where each comes from.
Plumeria
Named after Charles Plumier (1646–1704), a French botanist who documented many New World plants. The genus Plumeria was formally established in his honor by Carl Linnaeus in 1753.
Frangipani
The name is believed to come from the Frangipani family, a noble Italian family from the 16th century. Muzio Frangipani, a marquis, reportedly created a perfume whose scent resembled the plumeria flower — and the name stuck when Europeans encountered the actual plant in the Americas.
Where Is Each Name Used?
Which name you hear depends almost entirely on where you are. In the United States and Hawaii, the plant is almost universally called plumeria. In Australia, Southeast Asia, India, and parts of Europe, frangipani is the preferred name. In Hawaii, the flowers are closely associated with lei-making and are simply called plumeria.
What Are the Common Plumeria Species?
There are about 11 recognized species in the Plumeria genus. The two most commonly grown are:
- Plumeria rubra — The most popular species, with colorful flowers in shades of pink, red, yellow, orange, and white. Deciduous (drops leaves in winter). This species includes most named varieties like Candy Stripe, Nebels Rainbow, and Celadine.
- Plumeria obtusa — Known as the evergreen plumeria. Typically produces white flowers with yellow centers. The popular Singapore White belongs to this species. It retains its leaves year-round in warm conditions.
What Else Is Plumeria Called Around the World?
Beyond plumeria and frangipani, the plant goes by several regional names:
- Melia — used in some Pacific Island cultures
- Temple tree — common in South and Southeast Asia (planted near temples)
- Champa — used in India and Laos
- Kalachuchi — the Filipino name
- Lei flower — informal Hawaiian reference
Frequently Asked Questions
Are plumeria and frangipani the same thing?
Yes. Plumeria is the scientific/botanical name, while frangipani is the common name used in many countries. They refer to the same genus of tropical flowering plants.
Why are there two names?
"Plumeria" honors the 17th-century French botanist Charles Plumier. "Frangipani" is believed to come from a 16th-century Italian noble family, the Frangipani, who created a perfume with a similar scent.
Which name should I use?
In the United States and Hawaii, "plumeria" is standard. In Australia, Southeast Asia, and parts of Europe, "frangipani" is more common. Both are correct.
How many species of plumeria are there?
There are about 11 recognized species, but Plumeria rubra (deciduous, colorful flowers) and Plumeria obtusa (evergreen, typically white flowers like Singapore White) are the most commonly grown.