What Is a Mandevilla Vine? Species, Origins and Appearance
Mandevilla is a genus of tropical and subtropical flowering vines that are native to the Southwestern United States, Mexico, Central America and South America. Mandevilla plant care won’t be difficult in USDA zones 9 and above, close to where they grow naturally.
There are many species of mandevilla (also known as rocktrumpet), but the most popular one for gardens is Mandevilla splendens. This vine can grow up to 15 feet in length and produces beautiful mandevilla flowers that are pink, red or white. The mandevilla vine is a fast grower, so you can expect it to quickly climb up a trellis or other support.
Mandevilla Plant Care – Soil Type and Fertilizer
One of the mandevilla vine’s best qualities is its ability to tolerate a wide range of soil types. It does best in sandy, well-draining soil with plenty of organic matter. A mix of peat moss, sand and leaf mold will do the trick. The ideal pH is slightly acidic or neutral, but slightly alkaline can also work.
As far as fertilizing goes, mandevilla vines are not heavy feeders. A slow-release fertilizer with a balanced ratio of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (such as 15-15-15) applied once in spring will be sufficient.
Mandevilla Plant Care – Watering
One aspect of mandevilla plant care that requires some thought is watering. The plant does not like to be too wet or too dry, so it’s important to find a happy medium.
During the growing season (spring and summer), water mandevilla vines deeply once a week, or as needed. You can allow the soil to dry out somewhat between watering, but keep it consistently moist. In winter, cut back on watering, as the plant goes dormant.
How Much Light Mandevilla Plants Need
In its native habitat, mandevilla vines grow in full sun to partial shade. Let that guide you when picking a spot in your garden for them. They’ll do best in an area that gets at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day.
If you live in a hot climate (such as Southern California), it’s best to give mandevilla plants some afternoon shade to prevent the leaves from scorching. Growing them in containers will allow you to move the plant around to better spots throughout the year.
Ideal Temperatures and Humidity for Mandevilla Plants
As we mentioned, mandevilla vines are native to tropical and subtropical regions. As such, they prefer warm temperatures and high humidity.
During the growing season, mandevillas like daytime temperatures of 70-85 degrees Fahrenheit and nighttime temperatures of 50-65 degrees Fahrenheit. If you live in a cooler climate, you can grow them indoors as houseplants.
Mandevillas prefer a relative humidity above 50%. If the air in your home is too dry, you can increase the humidity around your mandevilla plants by using a humidifier or placing them on a pebble tray with water.
Pruning Mandevilla Vine
Pruning is an optional part of mandevilla plant care, but recommended if you want the plant to take a certain shape or size. It also helps it to keep blooming vigorously season after season.
To encourage bushier growth, prune mandevilla vines in spring, before new growth begins. You can also cut them back hard (by up to half their length) in late winter to early spring, which will result in more flowers.
How to Propagate Mandevilla Vine
Mandevilla vines are easy to propagate from stem cuttings. The best time to take them is in spring, when the plant is actively growing. Here’s how to do it!
- Take a cutting that’s at least 4 inches long and has several leaves. Cut just below a leaf node (the point where the leaf meets the stem) with a sharp knife or a pair of scissors.
- Remove the bottom leaves and buds from the cutting.
- Dip the cut ends in rooting hormone.
- Fill a planting pot with potting soil and moisten it.
- Stick the cut end of the stem into the soil and firm it around the base.
- Place the pot in a warm spot (70-75 degrees) that gets bright, filtered light and keep the soil moist.
- Mist the cutting from time to time.
Roots should form within a few weeks. Once they do, you can transplant the mandevilla vine to a larger pot or into your garden. Then, follow our mandevilla plant care tips, and you’ll have a beautiful, blooming mandevilla vine in no time!
Repotting Mandevilla Vine
Mandevilla vines are fast growers and will likely need to be repotted every year in spring. You’ll know it’s time when roots start poking out of the drainage holes in the bottom of the pot.
When repotting mandevilla vine, choose a pot that’s only slightly larger than the current one. This will help prevent the roots from becoming waterlogged. Fill the pot with fresh potting soil and transplant the mandevilla vine, being careful not to damage the roots. Water well and keep the soil moist until new growth appears.
Common Problems with Mandevilla Plants
Although mandevilla plant care is generally easy, there are a few problems you should be aware of.
- Powdery mildew. This fungal disease appears as white, powdery spots on the leaves. It’s most common in humid climates and can be controlled with fungicide sprays.
- Aphids, scale or whiteflies. These pests can all suck the sap out of mandevilla foliage, causing it to turn yellow and wilt. You can control them by spraying them with water or using an insecticidal soap.
- Overwatering. As we mentioned, mandevilla vines don’t like wet feet. If the soil is too moist, the plant’s leaves will start to yellow and drop off.
And that’s all there is to mandevilla plant care! With a little effort, you can grow these beautiful vines in your own garden and enjoy their blooms all summer long.
Do you have any other tips to share? Let us know in the comments below!
