The plumeria has long been a popular flower in the Hawaiian islands because of the large size of its flowers and the beautiful range of colors. The Hawaiian name is melia, and the scientific name is Apocynaceae. Each flower has large peals in a cluster of five, and each petal generally has two to three colors. The plumeria has a strong scent, and there are different scents for the different varieties. The scents may be sweet, fruity or citrusy. There are white and yellow varieties of the plumeria, pink varieties and those that contain yellow, white and pink on each petal. They are not dyed because they already come in attractive, sought-after colors. Refrigerate your plumeria when it arrives and keep it refrigerated until you wear it. Once it is delivered, it will last about one day.
Plumeria trees were brought to Hawaii in the 1800s, and they were used to beautify cemeteries. This made the flowers become associated with death, and it kept Hawaiians from wearing them. However, today they are a popular flower for leis because of their large size, lovely scent and beautiful colors. To make plumeria leis, the loose flowers are made into a single-strand lei by stringing them together. Sometimes, ti leaves are used with Hawaiian plumeria to give the lei some green accents. Plumeria leis are often given as graduation gifts, to greet people and worn to add a festive air to parties. And because of the early association between death and these flowers, they are often worn by those who are decorating graves. The fresh plumeria leis below are made from one of the most beautiful and sought-after flowers in Hawaii.
FAQs
You will need approximately 200-300 flowers, 60 inches of dental floss and a needle. A long lei needle is nice, but a large regular one will do fine. Continue stringing the flowers, pulling each flower all the way down to the previous flower. You can make your lei from all sorts of flowers and materials.
How many flowers do you need for one lei? ›
A general rule is that each inch of lei requires about 1.25 flowers. So, if you want your lei to be 40” long, you will need at least 50 flowers. Onto that length, add 2” or more to your thread to allow you to tie the ends of the lei together.
How long does plumeria lei last? ›
Refrigerate your plumeria when it arrives and keep it refrigerated until you wear it. Once it is delivered, it will last about one day. Plumeria trees were brought to Hawaii in the 1800s, and they were used to beautify cemeteries.
How to keep plumeria flowers fresh for lei? ›
Preserving your fresh flower leis
After you have made your tropical Plumeria lei you may store it in the following processes: 1) Place the lei in a storage bag. 2) Mist the fresh Plumeria flowers. 3) Place the entire bag in your vegetable drawer in your refrigerator.
What does the plumeria lei symbolize? ›
They are a popular choice for leis, the traditional Hawaiian flower garlands exchanged as a symbol of affection and welcome. Plumeria is known as a hula dancers' lei. Wearing a plumeria lei signifies admiration and deepens the bonds of friendship, love, and appreciation.
Can I take my flower lei home from Hawaii? ›
Maybe you've been to a special occasion like a wedding or cultural event such as a Lu'au and would love to take it home or bring Lei home for loved ones! Can you bring Lei back home after leaving Hawaii? Yes, you can!
How long is a flower lei? ›
Begin Your Lei Making
Have about 50 medium-sized flowers in order to make a standard 40″ lei. The thread should be about 100″ in length.
How many inches is a Hawaiian lei? ›
Leis are most commonly made of carnations, kika blossoms, ginger blossoms, jasmine blossoms, or orchids and are usually about 18 inches (46 cm) long. They are bestowed with a kiss as a sign of hospitality.
How long should a lei be? ›
Note: A lei for an adult is approximately 40 inches. Use your graduate's school colors and make dozens in time for graduation! A wonderfully quick and inexpensive way to give some Aloha!
Why are leis so expensive? ›
A single lei requires hundreds of tiny shells. This time-consuming work and rarity of the shells make Ni'ihau shell lei very expensive and has become an important source of revenue for residents of the island. The lei are considered fine jewelry and one of the only shells in the world that is insurable.
Plumeria in Hawaiian is “Melia,” and the scientific name is Frangipani; this flower belongs to the family of Apocynaceae.
Do leis need to be refrigerated? ›
With the right care, your lei can last longer and stay looking fresh for several days or more. To keep it looking its best, unpack it as soon as you get it. Then, place it in the refrigerator. The idea temperature is between 50 and 55 degrees Fahrenheit.
What is the Hawaiian name for plumeria? ›
Discover the Enchanting Beauty of Hawaiian Plumeria (Melia)
They are believed to be native to Central America, Mexico, and Venezuela. Plumerias thrive in warm, tropical climates and require well-drained soil and plenty of sunlight.
How many Ilima flowers does it take to make a lei? ›
'Ilima was one of the few plants cultivated by early Hawaiians specifically for lei making as 500 to 1,000 blossoms make a single strand lei. Originally, lei 'ilima were reserved for royalty as they looked very much like the yellow feather lei worn only by ali'i (lei hulu).
Are plumeria used in leis? ›
In Hawaii, plumerias are commonly used in leis, which are necklaces made from a variety of different flowers or materials. Plumeria leis are especially popular as they have a sweet, lingering fragrance that makes them a perfect adornment for special occasions.
What is the size of a standard lei? ›
The easiest way to make a lei is to create a single-strand lei made from flowers. Have about 50 medium-sized flowers in order to make a standard 40″ lei. The thread should be about 100″ in length.
What is the most common flower used in leis? ›
The most commonly used flowers are those of plumerias, tuberose, carnations, orchids, and pikake, though maile leaves, ferns, and tī leaves are extremely popular as well as traditional among hula dancers.
