Mandevilla
Mandevilla tips and care
Mandevilla belongs to a large family that also includes plants that were formerly known as Dipladenia. It was named after a British diplomat/gardener Henry Mandeville. This exotic plant bears trumpet shaped flowers shades of pink, yellow and white (some fragrant) on twining vines with puckered, oval leaves.

This tropical plant is hardy (depending on cultivars) in zones 9-11 and therefore is for the most part of the U.S. treated as a houseplant. It is grown outdoors for the summer and in cold weather taken indoors to endure the winter.
Care
Outdoors: Mandevilla is cold sensitive and can be taken outdoors when the danger of frost has passed and overnight temperatures reach over 50ºF. It likes full sun to part shade in the summer and a deep rich, well-drained soil. It will also need a trellis to support its long trailing vines. Provide plenty of water during the hot days of summer. To keep a healthy blooming plant, feed it every other week with a high phosphorus fertilizer (10-20-10) in the spring and summer. In order to maintain the tangled growth during the season, pinch off new shoot tips which will produce a bushier plant. Trimming will not reduce flowering as it blooms on new growth. Use the cuttings to make new plants.
Propagation
It can be started from seed at temperatures of 70-80ºF. A faster way is to take cuttings in the spring and summer which will easily root and develop new plants.
Watch out for mealybugs, scales, whitefllies and red spider mites.
- Winterize Mandevilla I currently have a beautiful Mandevilla and would like to preserve it...






































(15 votes, average: 3.93 out of 5)
Whitefly
What are the white, flying bugs that look kind of like aphids? Are they aphids and how do I get rid of them? Also, what kind of damage do they do to Mandevillas? Thank you, Christa
Information regarding rooting of mandevilla cuttings
I did not cut back the plant when I brought in for winter. Now getting new tbut have white residue & sticky. Help! Do I cut back Now?
Also have used inecticidal soap & washed leaves with alcohol
Regarding the Mandevilla - I live in Dana Point, California right on the coast. It’s temperate here and never drops below 50 degrees. Still, my plant leaves are getting sparse and yellow. What should I do?
I know this is going to strike you as funny but my husband has a goat that keeps eating the ends of my mandevilla vine. what can I do to stop this? (short of shooting the goat)
I have a new arbor and would love to plant mandevilla on either side. Due to limited space, I am wondering if I can plant them in a ‘window box’ container which is about 4″ deep alongside each side of the arbor. Suggestions?
My Mandavilla’s vine is growing well, but the mature leaves on the plant are browning and dying from the leave’s vein outward to the leave’s edges. I wouldn’t call it “yellowing” as I’ve seen in over-watering of other plants, but a dry, dying brown leaf. Is this not enough water? The plant is planted in the ground in a good sunny spot. I don’t want to lose my new Mandevilla - it’s beautiful!
My mandevilla has tiny ants all over the leaves and the blooms and also yellow stuff, kind of looks like very tiny eggs.
Yellow leaves
My mandevillahas lots of yellow leaves on the lower mature vines. It is outside in partial shade and gets all the Florida thunderstorms…sun after 2 pm! This began immediately after purchase and repotting..It is growing great but leaf loss is increasing..
I also have mandevillas that are turning brown and dying. I have already lost two this summer and two more that are dying. The leaves turn brown mostly on the tips and outer edges first then move to the whole leaf. Some of the flower buds also turn brown. They also have long shoots with no leaves or flowers. They have done well in past years.
Tonya
Never had a problem with my mandevilla before but we have had several days around 95F (gets afternoon sun) so I increased my watering to everyday instead of every other and now the unopened buds are falling off. Is it too much heat/sun or too much water?
Repotting mandevilla
I just received a mandevilla and when do you re pot and what size pot to use. The pot that it came in is small and it looks root bound
I am trying to find some photos of a Mandevilla. We have a vine with large red flowers and have been told it is a Mandevilla but the only info I can find tells me the Mandevilla is pink or white. Please help
speed up flowering
I have a question on flowering of the mandevilla. This is my third year with the plant, I have done everything that you suggested when it comes to winter storage and fertilizing. I live in Ontario, Canada and wanted to know if there is any way to speed up the flowering. I know the flowers come from the heat. It seems like my flowers really on come in August-September I was wondering is there any way to get flowering going earlier… say late June?
Thanks Paul
Epsom salt
I had inquired about a beautiful Mandevillea and was told that Epson salt was scratched in the soil that made it look so pretty. I was wondering if you heard anything about this trick?
We received a mandevilla last summer, put it in the ground at our NJ home, and watched it bloom prolifically. We brought it inside in the fall, and it sent up new shoots about February. After the last frost, we moved it to the same outdoor spot it was in last year. Though it has grown well since then, it hasn’t bloomed. Please advise. JS
Jeanette Johnson
My mandevilla appears to be growing healthy and happy. I have it in a sunny location, out doors. I am feeding it a liquid feed three times per week, Miracle Grow All Purpose 24-8-16. I am getting no flowers. How come?
Propagate mandevilla
I have heard you can pick off part of the Mandavilla and start new ones but I have tried this and in a day or two they are dead. What am I doing wrong? I have about 20 planted on my retaining wall and they are beautiful growing down the wall but I have to buy new ones every year as all do not come back after winter. It is too hard digging them up out of the wall to take them inside. I would like to start new ones from the existing ones to fill in the spaces.
I am interested in purchasing mandevilla for my daughter who lives in Phoenix. She needs vining container plants to place in an area between her house and the cement block fence. The area doesn’t get direct sun until late afternoon, evening. Would this be a wise choice for the climate and growing area?
I live in Portland, Maine and would like to have a Mandevilla as a house plant - keeping it indoors in a pot year round. I have a sunny southside spot in front of two windows. The plant would be placed between the windows where there is some shading due to woodwork between the windows. Will this plant bloom all year?
Does it require any maintenance (ie cutting back) other than watering/fertilizing as it is an indoor house plant?
thank you
Mandevilla seeds
I am trying to start Mandevilla from seed. My question is…Does the seed come from the end of the stem at the base of the bloom ? Is it a single seed or a cluster of 8 or 10 seeds? If it is 8 or 10 tiny pin head size seeds, that have a hair-like tail, do I leave the tail on when I plant the seeds. OR…Do the seeds grow separately in a stalk-like pod ?
Thank you, Howard
lisa cox ( hmbcox@aol.com / )
one of our mature plants has suddenly stopped blooming. also is growing prong looking things, like long skinny fingers. it isn’t producing any new growth and some of the leaves have small brown spots. no signs of bugs. the plant next to it is very green and blooming. got any ideas? we are in the san antonio area. thanks lisa
thanks
Poisonous
Are Mandevilla plants poisonous for dogs if they chew on it.
Thanks, Sharon
This is the first year I’ve had my Mandevilla plant. I pruned it back and brought it inside for the winter here in New York. My question is: is the Mandevilla plant harmful to my cat? She has taken a great interest in it, and is attempting to eat the leaves.
I live in Santa Monica, CA. I would like to plant Mandevilla on a trellis that is 15 feet high. It gets partial afternoon sun on the west side of the house. Will they survive in these conditions. How many plants need to cover fifteen feet spread? All the best. Steve
Spider mites
Can spider mites kill or harm my plant? How often/long should I treat the plant for? Since its indoor how often should I water? You have been very helpful. Hope you and your family have a safe and enjoyable holidays.
donna
I have brown spots on my mandevilla vine leaf especially near the veining. What is this and what do I do?
Winterover Mandevilla
When should I be looking for new growth to begin, after wintering and cutting my plant back for the winter months? I repotted the plant and tried to spread out the roots not cutting any of them off. It is looking pretty dead to me.
Tubers
I live in Savannah GA & did not bring my Mandevilla in for the winter. When I dug it out of its planter, it had many healthy looking tuberous roots. Can I replant the root/tubers and expect them to grow? How long to maturity?
I purchased a hanging potted mandevilla…then discovered it will climb…can I place it near a trellis or what works best for Midwest weather?
Is it possible to start a mandevilla from the tubers of an older plant? Just the tubers, not the whole root.
Slow to bloom
I pulled up my Mandevilla this spring thinking it was dead but discovered a sprout from one of the fleshy roots so I replanted it into a large pot. It finally recovered from the shock and has lots of leaves/vines but no blooms. It bloomed into the fall last year. Any ideas?
Thanks,
Sheryl (south Louisiana)
Pruning mandevilla
Where can i find a video of Mandevilla being prunned? This is the first time I have had a mandevilla plant and I’m not sure how much to cut off.
Thanks
Hi Joe
I can’t find a video of Mandevilla prunning. They should be pruned right after bloom. Because they bloom on last year’s growth, you want to leave some current season’s growth so that they bloom next year. Is this plant wintering outdoors or indoors?
I have a pot of Mandevillas that have bloomed. My question is does the Mandevilla come with the trumpet type flower as seen on most sites and also a double or rose type bloom? Mine has both on the same plant. The double one almost looks like a carnation with large petals around it. Is this normal?
Winterize Mandevilla
I see many posts about bringing inside but my plants are far too large. I live in the SF Bay Area and in Dec/Jan it can get down into the 30’s - sometimes below. Can I winterize my mandevillas and keep them outside? Plastic covers, for example? Not surprising I did nothing with last years and two of three died… the third started to come back in the spring but I replaced all with large, full plants.
Mandevilla seeds
I love your site and I have a question about my Mandevilla. This is my second year and I’m going to take them in this year to try and save them. One of the plants is getting seed pods. I’ll plant the seeds in the spring at my friends greenhouse. Will they produce large, blooming plants the first year?
topic: Mandevilla
I have two Mandevilla in Oklahoma City which have bloomed beautifully all summer and I will be bringing them indoors for the winter; however, one of the plants leaves are turning yellow and dying while the other is thriving. I have looked for white flies and found none. What else can be happening and what can I do to save this beautiful plant?
Pruning Mandevilla
I live in Clearwater, FL and want to cut back my potted mandevilla vine to rejuvenate new growth. How far back is recommended? Should it be to the old growth? I would like to get flowers throughout, not only on the tips.
Cold damage
I live in Orlando, FL and have multiple gorgeous mandevilla plants growing over the fence around my back yard. We recently had several very cold nights, including a hard frost, and all my mandevilla have turned completely brown. Are they dead? Will they come back? Do I cut them back to the base of the plants?
I have aphids on my Mandevilla plant that I have in my kitchen for winter storage. I want to get rid of the aphids without spraying a chemical in my house . Is there anything that will treat them by adding to the pot of soil it is planted in. It’s a huge vine and praying it would be difficult inside my home. This happened to my mandevilla last year inside the house and it lost every leaf. I put Rosebush insect treatment in the soil and it didn’t work, then I bought an indoor aphid spray and sprayed the few leaves and the vine . It suffered so much I cut it back . It grew when put out in the spring but never bloomed. Now what can I do. It was doing so good inside until now.
What can I do? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Hello, I purchased three Mandevilla plants through ebay. They arrived last week in great shape and in the bare root form. I planted them in 100% very well seasoned compost. They are about 2 to 3 feet tall. They are doing pretty well. Lost a few leaves but other wise OK. My question is. Can I cut them back to make them bushier or will that be too hard on them? If not then when? We live in St. Louis. I do not expect to set them out for another 60 days. Will I have to harden them off at that time? Do I harden them off just like a young perennial or annual seedling? Best regards
i was just wondering if there is a specific bird or butterfly that like the Mandevilla?
Mandevilla seeds
I have seeds from my Mandevilla from last year. What do I need to do to get them to grow. I have planted a couple dozen in soil watered them every other day & nothing. Is there something I need to do in addition to this???
Mandevilla seed
I’m from New Zealand, and I have some third generation seed from my Grandparents Mandevilla plant, my Mom grew a plant and harvested seed, but it died, so I have the only seeds, and I didn’t know how to grow them! Thanks for the info I’ve read here, I’ll try your advice, and hopefully grow a new plant!
I have two questions:
1. how close and how deep can you plant Mandevillas?
2. I recently saw a beautiful photo of a Mandevilla and a Clematis entertwined. How wise is it to plant the two together? And how close should they be planted?
Thank you and I am looking forward to your reply.
For starters, can your mandevilla winterover outdoors?
I just bought a Mandevilla plant that was outside at a garden center and now have it inside my home until the weather gets warmer. For some reason the new buds are falling off the plant. Is this ok??
Hi! This may seem silly, but I am trying to figure something out. I want to plant my Mandevilla in the garden so that it can climb beautifully along my posts. Problem is, in the winter I understand that it is not going to withstand the frost. Is there any solution or do I just need to keep them in the pots? How can I enjoy them climbing if I need to bring them in during the winter months? Thanks so much!
Hi. I seem to have had bad luck with these plants. I’m on my third new one and the leaves become mottled, turn yellow, then brown until they dry up and fall off (along with the buds). It looks awful and may not make it. I do try to keep it in the sunnier room but not direct. I try to watch it does not dry out but wondering if the soil needs replacing even though it has been here for a month so chances are it is me, not the soil. I’ve tried a mild fertilizer. They are expensive to buy here and wondering what I am doing wrong. I live in northern Ontario, Canada. Thank you so much in advance.
Would you recommend using a time release pellet type fertilizer.
Hi. I seem to have had bad luck with these plants. I’m on my third new one and the leaves become mottled, turn yellow, then brown until they dry up and fall off (along with the buds). It looks awful and may not make it. I do try to keep it in the sunnier room but not direct. I try to watch it does not dry out but wondering if the soil needs replacing even though it has been here for a month so chances are it is me, not the soil. I’ve tried a mild fertilizer. They are expensive to buy here and wondering what I am doing wrong. I live in northern Ontario, Canada. Thank you so much in advance.
Hi and thank you for your speedy reply–awesome. The only thing is where we are, it will not get to be in the 50’s at night until mid June anyway and gets cold in September. What should I do for the interim? Also, I noticed that the plant has a double container–the one in which the plant is in has drainage holes and the other outer one has no holes, so I’m wondering if the plant is sitting in water and is suffering root rot. If I water it just a bit when needed–the soil will be hard, hard on top, but the soil at the bottom is wet. This is why I was thinking it needed to have new soil that is “dry” to absorb any excess moisture and top dress it with new soil. Is it OK to leave it in that type of pot being that it should not sit in water? (sorry for all the q’s–just frustrated as I’m pretty good with plants) Thanks again.:)
I just purchased two of these plants. They came in small pots from the nursery. I have them on my back yard fence. They are raised up and close to the fence. I thought this would be good for them. I already need to repot them as I can see the roots from the bottom of the plant. Would it be better to plant them in a planter on the ground next to the fence or find another way to attach them to the fence so that they hang? Also, what is the best way to repot them? Type of Soil? Fertilizer? This is very new to me. Thanks!
have a pair of white mandevilla planted outside on trellis in 2/09. both were flourishing until about 3 weeks ago. one continues to look great. other has wilted leaves and some dead shoots. replanted wilted one 2 weeks ago thinking it might be getting water trapped at roots. gave it some fertilizer. do not see any signs of insects. wilted one looks same except more dead leaves, shoots, etc. what would you suggest as next step?
I just purchased two Mandevilla plants to brighten-up the sunny area in front of my brickfront townhouse. I saw the plant flourish last summer nearby and fell in love. Unfortunately, I didn’t do much research before buying it and need help. I currently have it outside (4/23/09) and am concerned about temp. I’m not sure if the commercial brand potting soil is right for this plant. I’m hoping to get advice on whether these plants should be out yet, how I should treat the soil, and how I can maintain them throughout the spring and summer months.
I have 18 plants-most from cuttings.
Here’s what I’ve done every year and, so far it works. Do this BEFORE the night time temps get below 40.
1)a WEEK before you are planning to move it inside, feed it well. The plan is to get it strong for the winter hibernation. WATER IT WELL THE DAY BEFORE OR MORNING OF YOUR PLANNED REMOVAL.
2)on the day of removal, cut it back to about 1 - 1 1/2 feet from the soil with one good chop. Clean up the severed vines and discard.
3)press your shovel ALL THE WAY TO THE GROUND in a circle around the plant about 6 inches from growth. Gently lift the plant out and place it in a pot that will hold it for the Winter.
3)give it some water but not enough to run out of the pot.
4)place the whole thing in a clear plastic trash bag and put it in a place that will not get below 40 degrees in the winter. A heated garage, a basement or a cool room. Tie the bag closed so that it will stay humid and dry out very slowly allowing the plant to adjust slowly. Here’s something that I do: once I put the plant in the bag, I give the plant a quick, LIGHT shot of all-purpose bug killer and then I tie the bag up. It seems to kill off anything that thinks it might hang out on the plant for the winter.
5)now, forget about it until Spring.
SPRING:
Remove 2 shovels full of soil from the spot where you plan to put your Mandevilla. Fill in the spot with 2 shovels full of organic matter (compost) and sir it up and over very well. This will give the plant a happy home for the season. Remember to keep about half of the soil that is on the roots in the pot when transplanting.
when the night temps are 40 or higher (in New Jersey I wait until April 20th)I move them outside, discard the plastic bag and water JUST A LITTLE. Because it hasn’t been in the sun for a few months, the leaves will burn. That’s normal. It WILL look dead and will lose any leaves that sprouted. This is normal. Just clean it up and know that this is the way the plant adjusts to the sun. Water it gently a few times until you are ready to put it in the ground. May 1st is when I plant mine.
Before storing your containers for the summer, remember to wash them out with bleach and a mild dish detergent to kill off anything that’s not supposed to be there.
Fertilize weekly with a weak solution of all purpose food.
ENJOY FOR THE ENTIRE SUMMER!!
Thanks for the insightful comment!
I HAVE A MANDEVILLA PLANT I HAD LAST SUMMER. I TOOK IT IN FOR THE WINTER. KNOW THE DIRT LEVEL HAS DROPPED ABOUT 6 INCHES BELOW THE POT. HOW DO I TREAT THIS CONDITION?
Hi, My husband bought me a mandevilla for a flower garden he fixed for me .He put a trellis behind the mandevilla and it didn’t take long ,for it to start wrapping around the trellis . I just love my mandevilla . We are going on vacation for a week. Will it be alright without watering it daily ? It is in the low 80’s in the day time . Thanks
Are mandevilla vines or plants poisonous to dogs?
I received a mandevilla vine for mother’s day. I was wondering, if earwigs would eat this plant?
I bought 4 mandavilla’s for my porch, the containers they came in did not have any drainage holes so they held alot of water, 3 of the plants leaves turned brown only 1 new shoot on each how can I save my plant? No new leaf growth either.
I’ve had a mandavlla for about 7 years, and winter it in my garage. This year it was slow to sprout ne growth (much slower than another one I have had three years). I knew it must be really root bound. While I have repotted it, its been at least three years. So I repotted it. The roots are full of what looks like sweet potatoes. It was so tight in the pot, we disconnected some of the tubors. Will they sprout new plants if I pot them? I’ve read you usually start from seed.
I am having a problem with my plant not wanting to grow. I have fertilized it and everything. It is not in fun sun. I do not know what to do…
Also how can you cut and replant a piece to make it grow? I did not understand that part..
I purchased a mandevilla plant last year but did not research it until now and left it outside all winter. Does it have a chance of coming back or will it only come back if brought inside for the winter? I live in Michigan where it gets very cold in the winter.
I bought a Mandevilla for the first time this spring. It has been on my front porch for about a week and seems to be doing fine. I want to transfer it into a slightly larger pot, but the plant came with a trellis in the pot. The plant is not just vining up the trellis, but has been twisted around and around all of the sections of the trellis. I can’t imagine that this is natural, so the plant must have been wrapped around the trellis as it grew. This trellis is not very tall and I would like to replace it with a taller one, but how do I replace it without damaging the plant. Or, should I just leave the short trellis alone and replace it when I cut the plant back next year? Any information on this would be greatly appreciated.
how can i tell if mandevillla roots are still alive they look they are in a big pot the pot is full of roots how do i make it grow again there is nothing growing out of the roots help
I bought my Mandevilla on clearance and it only had one flower on it. Since then I have repotted it and fertilized it but still no flowers. The leaves are growing with new stems, however I don’t see any signs of flower buds. Did I buy a lemon?
Hi-I have a mandevilla that was a gift last year and grew beautifully out of a pot with trellis last year–I ilve in ILL so it wintered inside and began growing rather vigorously inside in the early spring. One of my cats chewed off much of the new growth and since then (it now is back outside again) it seems to be growing in slow motion. It is definately alive but I don’t think it’s grown an inch in the last month–the whole plant is about 8 inches tall and the leaves only 2-3 inches long–MUCH, MUCH smaller than last year–What do I do?
I live in Houston, TX and have two mandevillas in my back yard, shaded with 30 - 40 ft magnolia and live oaks. These plants had taken over the back yard and were climbing all over the trees. Two years ago, I decided to have them cut to the ground (taking part of the magnolia and live oaks with them). They are growing back fine. I’m training them to follow my fence, rather than climb the trees. So far they have not bloomed. Do they need full sun to bloom or is it just a matter of time? They get more sun now that the trees had to be trimmed. Also, what is the best time to trim these? They are very hardy and have lived through all our winters. I would love some flowers, but need to control their growth some. Thank you.
I just bought 2 mandevilla plants and want to put them outside for the summer. Do deer eat mandevilla?
Just purchased a red dipladenia-type mandevilla. Yesterday it looked good. Today it appears to have a powdery mildew forming (looks like the stuff lilacs get) on its dark green leaves near the base of the plant. We have had warm humid weather, and today is cool and dark. How can I best treat this?
I have had success with the large-leaved pink kind and never had this happen.
Ok, I live in Nebraska and have for 7 years. I have found that 2 plants that I have always gathered the seed and replanted (they were Annuals) have started growing without me seeding them (they seed themselves. I am not sure if this is due to the many generations being resown… (over 11 years now that I have had them)… so back to my Mandevilla I just bought… If I let it enjoy the outrageous heat of Summer, and collect the seeds (and “sow a few” do you think the seeds will lie dormant until the spring? That is what the others have begun to do.
Re-potting mandevilla
Re-potting Question: The pot we got with our plant is pretty small and we’re gonna be upsizing it. I haven’t seen any mention of it yet on this site but would it be adviseable to put a layer of rock at the bottom to support drainage or no?
Zone 5.
Adding on to my post, we were looking for the 10-20-10 combo for plant food but the best we have in our area that even comes close is 15-30-15 which is the same ratio just higher levels of each. We didn’t get it yet. The other option of course is Miracle Grow’s 20-20-20 all purpose. Thoughts
Why aren’t my mandevillas blooming? They are growing like crazy but no blooms. What can i do?
I purchased a Mandivilla and started having problems with the leaves yellowing. I read on here and was told by someone at a local greenhouse that it needed to be fertilized. I got the 10-20-10 and was told to add 1tsp every 2 weeks. After adding the first tsp my plant started dying by the next morning. I have ran water through the soil to remove whatever fertilizer is left but it hasn’t seemed to help. I also have seen no signs of blooms before the yellowing started. Is there anything else I can do to bring it back? I do still have some green on it.
It could still be adjusting to the location. Pinch off the dead/yellow growth and watch it for a few weeks. You may be fertilizing it too much especially since it is potted. Remember to always fertilize with half of the recommended dose if you are fertilizing it more than once a month.
These plants are not crazy about hot roots. You may want to consider planting it or moving it to a location where it gets a bit of shade during the hottest part of the day.