How to mail order fresh Hawaii-grown plumeria blossoms on the Mainland

After searching statewide for a grower who would deliver Hawaii-grown plumeria straight to our readers’ doorsteps, we finally found one on the island of Molokai.

HAWAII magazine reader Anthony Maggiore e-mailed us in pursuit of his favorite Hawaiian flower:

It seems that lei-supplying companies in Hawaii will not ship plumeria lei to the east coast for fear of the fragile blossoms being damaged before delivery. What that means is that many people are missing out on these lovely flowers that evoke the Hawaiian essence so iconically. Is there any way whereby these wonderful blossoms can reach someone on the U.S. east coast?

You ask, we answer.

Blossoms from the plumeria tree are among the most commonly used flowers for lei in Hawaii.

While much associated with Hawaii, where it is grown ornamentally in many backyards or specifically for lei production, the plumeria tree is not native to the Islands. Also known as the frangipani—or melia, in the Hawaiian language—the tree and its flowers thrive in tropical and subtropical climates worldwide.

Still, for many arriving visitors, an airport or dockside lei greeting of fragrant plumeria—with its hints of citrus, jasmine and gardenia—remains the most popular, and expected, signifier of the start of a Hawaii vacation.

After searching statewide for a grower who would deliver Hawaii-grown plumeria straight to Anthony’s and all of our mainland U.S. HAWAII Magazine readers’ doorsteps, we finally found one on the island of Molokai. Just west of the island’s main town of Kaunakakai is the orchard of Molokai Plumerias—a family-owned farm, in business since 1982, whose trees thrive in dry, perennially sunny conditions idyllic for their growth.

Molokai Plumerias ships finished lei, individual blossoms for crafting your own lei, and even tree cuttings so you can start your own plumeria garden—given the right growing conditions, of course. The farm (pictured, below) also ships its orders throughout the U.S.

When in season—typically March through October—blossoms are picked early in the morning and shipped from Molokai same day. Cost varies depending on the size of the order and where it is being shipped.

If you’re planning a trip to Molokai, the farm is open for afternoon tours, too.

To learn more about Molokai Plumerias, or to place an order, click here. Or reach the orchard by phone at (808) 553-3391.

If you know of any more Hawaii farms shipping fresh cut, locally-grown plumeria to the mainland, please drop us an e-mail and let us know.