Q: During a trip to Hawaii a couple of years ago I bought a plumeria plant. It has grown very well. It lives outside during the summer and is brought inside for the winter. Each winter it drops all its leaves and has to start all over again with new ones in the spring. Is there any way to prevent the leaf loss?

A: My neighbor Charlie has three big plumerias he’s had for years, following the same regimen as you. If you can keep the plant indoors in front of a sunny window where the temperatures range between 75 and 85 degrees each day, the leaves will not fall…but you’ll shed all your clothes instead. Try pruning the plant each spring to keep it compact. Consider stringing festive Christmas lights on the bare branches after you remove the leaves and bring it indoors in late fall.