For many, the love of plumerias has blossomed with a visit to a tropical climate, especially Hawaii or the Caribbean. Common names are plumeria, frangipani, melia (Hawaiian), temple tree and a few others. A Plumeria is native to tropical America. In Hawaii, it is grown as an ornamental and is not found in the wild. Plumeria requires full sun and grows best in well drained, slightly acidic soil. Plumerias are the flowers found in Hawaiian leis. These flowers are very fragrant and come in a variety of different colors.