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57 comments to Winterize Mandevilla

• Kris

  September 15th, 2006 at 5:09 am · Reply

  I have a huge trellis of Mandevilla….I live in Pennsylvania…what do you suggest on covering it outside when the temperatures drop. It is so big it would be impossible to bring it in.

  Mandevilla is a tropical plant and can not tolerate temperatures below 40 much less freezing. It will loose all its leaves as soon as frost hits. To have any slim chance of wintering over you will have to bury the pot and mulch heavily to protect the roots and some of the vine. The vines will all freeze and die but if you save the roots and part of the vine, it will regrow and bloom next year. If you can, drag it into the garage insulate the pot and wrap the trimmed vines in plastic, bubble wrap, etc. If the winter isn’t to harsh the roots might survive.

  more info…

• Kris

  September 15th, 2006 at 5:38 am · Reply

  Start new cuttings
  Hi Kris, I live in Michigan and a recently purchased a Mandavilla vine. I actually have a couple of questions. I have read that you can overwinter your mandavilla vines indoors during winter months but I would like to know If I should cut it back, fertilize, and will it bloom while inside like my tropical hibiscus? Also if I do have to cut it back, what is the easiest way to start the new cuttings? I have already tried once using rootone and it did not work. Sonya

  You can lightly fertilize your mandevilla before you bring it inside with a higher middle number, then prior to bringing it indoors cut it back to about 12 inches. The key during the winter months is to maintain the plant and keep it in a semi-dormant stage indoors. It will probably loose some leaves and will not bloom. When you set the plant out again in the spring, cut back some of the leggy growth up to 50% acquired indoors. To start new cuttings - take a cutting off a side shoot about 4-6 inches including a node. Remove lower leaves and dip in rooting hormone. Insert in a sandy rooting soil or 50/50 perlite/vermiculite medium and water in. Place in plastic bag in bright light away from direct sun. It should root in 4wks. This should be done in the summer. Have fun!

• Kris

  September 15th, 2006 at 5:41 am · Reply

  Pruning for winter
  I have a Mandevilla vine also and have read the comments on cutting back for winter…my fear is that cutting it back so much will kill it. I have a large, bushy vine in a pot wrapped around bamboo stakes to give it the bush shape and then on a trellis too . If I cut it all back to the 12 in., is there a chance I will kill it?

  No, you will not kill the plant. Mandevillas are tough plant and take to severe pruning. It’s better to cut them back ,if you don’t you will have a tangling, vining mess on your hands when they start to grow in the spring. A pruned plant is easier to control indoors. You can cut it back to 1/2 of its size .

• Kerron

  September 23rd, 2006 at 5:11 am · Reply

  I will be keeping my Mandevilla in a greenhouse for the winter. Do I still need to cut it back if it is kept at a higher temp with more light?

  You don’t need to prune your Mandevilla if it is in a greenhouse. One of the reason why you cut it back is to keep it in a manageble shape indoors. It’s also easier to control insect infestations when they occur. Mandevilla blooms on new growth so you don’t have to worry about not getting any flowers after you prune. If you don’t cut it back in the fall, trim crowded stems and old wood in the spring before setting it outdoors. It will produce vigorous growth and a bushier plant.

• Jen

  September 25th, 2006 at 2:19 am · Reply

  I just purchase a mandevilla trellis and did not realize its a tropical plant. I live in Richmond Virginia and wanted to know if I can plant it in the ground outside? Would it come back in the spring? Any suggestion would be greatly appreciated.

  Mandevilla is hardy in zone 9-11 some 10-11, you are in zone 7? where min temperatures are 0-5F. It will not tolerate freezing temperatures. If grown in zone 8, it will die to the ground and come back from the roots. IF, you decide to plant it outdoors put it in a protected area and mulch heavily after a cold snap kills off the plant. The mulch will protect the roots from freezing allowing it to come back next year. It’s risky but may work. Your other option is to winterover your mandevilla where temperatures are above 50 degrees.

• Mark Schweitzer

  January 27th, 2007 at 11:33 am · Reply

  I am in Austin,Tx. I have a young Mandevilla in a 1 gallon pot. Should it be put in the ground and mulched, or placed in a larger pot and wintered over?

  You are right inbetween. Austin is in zone 8b. Most mandevillas are hardy in zones 9-11. If grown in zone 8, it can die back from the frost but will grow back from the roots in the spring.Depending on how much die back occurred it may take longer to start reblooming. Mulching would definately help in overwintering outdoors. On the safe side, indoors or a garage will work. It’s your call. If you decide to keep it indoors wait for spring to replant it.

• Greg

  January 27th, 2007 at 11:38 am · Reply

  Greg
  I successfully wintered my Mandevilla here in a Boston the plant was far too big to bring into my apartment, so I left it in a low light hallway that gets very cold and at times below freezing. I did not cut or water the plant for 4 months, leaving it adjacent to a heated room. The top 12-16 inches of the vine did die, but the plant came back to its full glory when returned outdoors in May. Keeping my fingers crossed for a repeat.

  You kept it in a dormant stage, should work again. Thanks for the comment!!

• Betty

  January 27th, 2007 at 12:11 pm · Reply

  2006-9-10
  I have just brought my mandevilla plant in for the fall.. night temps were 50.. and when I did the leafs began to dry up and fall off Did I bring it in too soon Should I cut it back Now .. ??? thanks again for answering my question. Love this site
  Betty

  Hi Betty
  Let the plant stay outside as long as possible, the stay indoors is long during the winter. They can stand temperatures in the high 40’s for a short time. Give it a light fertilizer (10-20-10) middle number should be high. This will prepare the plant for the winter. In a few weeks when it starts to really get cold, bring the plant in and prune it back down to about 12 inches above the soil line. Keep it in the brightest spot in the house to just maintain the plant. You will get some leaf drop due to lower light and humidy indoors. Keep it on the dry side during the winter.

• Ann

  January 27th, 2007 at 12:14 pm · Reply

  2006-9-26
  I live in Ohio and just found out through your site that I have to bring my Mandevilla inside for the winter. It is planted in the ground now. How big of a ball do I dig up to put it in a pot? Thanks learned alot from you already!!

  The size of the rootball depends on how large your plant is. Plan for at least a 1 gallon pot or larger. The more roots you dig up the better. Be sure to add the good potting soil into your container for better drainage and water well. Leave your plant outdoors in the shade as long as possible. It will go into transplant shock, wilt, drop leaves, but at this point you want to save the roots

• Ann

  January 27th, 2007 at 12:17 pm · Reply

  2006-10-15 )
  First of all. I love this site and am glad I found it. My question is.. when the Mandevilla is brought in for the winter, do I store it near the brightest spot in the house OR store it in the basement/cellar. I’m confused as to when to do one vs. the other. I have read responses in this chat indicating both methods. (I live in Maryland.) Thanks!!

  It can be confusing. Store the plant in the brightest spot with lots of sun if you plan on keeping it alive and growing through the winter. You won’t get great growth but if your’e lucky you might get an occasional flower here and there. Storing your mandevilla in a basement deprives the plant of light, moisture and lower temperatures which encourage the plant to go dormant. It will drop most of its leaves and wait for spring.

• tARA

  January 27th, 2007 at 12:19 pm · Reply

  2006-11-2
  I BROUGHT MY GORGEOUS PLANT IN. GOT FREEKED WHEN FLOWERS STARTED DROPPING , PUT BACK OUTSIDE WE HAD A VERY,VERY COLD NIGHT ,(OR TWO) I SPACED AND DIDNT BRING IN. I THINK IT FROZE IT LOOKED LIKE IT DIED SO I CUT BACK HOW CAN I TELL IF IT WILL RECOVER? IF NOT I NEED TO START OVER

  The roots may still be alive. Store it in a dormant stage (basement or cool spot) through the winter. Give it a little water throughout the season. Don’t let the soil get too dry. If the plant has some life to it, it will show signs in the spring. Or try keeping in the house by a sunny window. If the frost did not kill the plant it should slowly sprout new growth.

• Dash Gartner

  April 6th, 2007 at 10:26 pm · Reply

  Winterize Mandevilla – Hi, I live in Austin, TX and planted 5 mandevillas outside, they are thriving…we are now expecting one additional and unseasonal frost in April, with rain and temps at 35-40 for lows…what should I do?

  This weather is crazy!! Cover them with a blanket or any insulating material and hope the temperature doesn’t drop below 32 degrees. Covering them should help them survive the brief cold spell.

• Sandra Baker

  May 2nd, 2007 at 8:00 am · Reply

  Just bought my mandevillas in May. Should I bury them in the pot or directly in the soil? I live in North Carolina.

  Mandevillas are a tropical plant, hardy in zones 9-11. You may be in zone 6-7. It would be easier to dig up a pot at the end of summer, so I would bury the pot.

• vi Cassill

  September 12th, 2007 at 12:34 pm · Reply

  I live in the willamette valley oregon (eugene to be exact) Is there any way to winterize my Mandevilla without digging it up and bringing it in? Can I cut it back and cover the ground with Leaves for warmth? Please help I love this plant and my concern is I have a 3ry old son and 2 dogs and a cat that likes to nibble on leaves (the cat does) he is an idoor cat and I am affraid it my be toxic to my pets if I brought it in>

  It is a tropical plant hardy in zone 9-11. In zone 8 it will be killed by frost but can grow back from the roots. Mandevilla tolerates a minimum temperature of 45F. Any lower temperature and it will drop its leaves and at freezing die back to the ground. After a frost mulch the plant heavily, cover it with leaves, straw or evergreen branches -this should protect the roots. With any luck, if the roots don’t freeze then it should come back in the spring. The other option is to dig it up and winter it over in the garage in a dormant stage.

• Sue

  October 8th, 2007 at 4:35 pm · Reply

  Store dry root method
  I live in zone 5, I have 15 mandevilla plants, including 5 with red blooms, I have successfully winterized them inside for 2 years but I’ve developed allergies to indoor plants. Can I store them by the dry root method in an insulated garage wrapped in newspapers etc.? Or maybe in a box? I do like all of the information you list on Mandevilla’s. Sue

  Yes, you can store them the dry root method. Check on the plants periodically for moisture, so they don’t dry out completely. A box or styrofoam cooler will also work, place the box in a plastic bag. The one thing you have to be aware of in garage storage is drafts and drop in temperature when the door is open on a very cold day.

• RAchel Mandeville

  November 27th, 2007 at 10:07 am · Reply

  I brought my Mandevilla indoors. It is in a corner and receives sunlight from my front door. I want to treat it like a houseplant until spring as it goes on my front porch. Is that going to be OK?

  Your mandevilla should be fine as a houseplant as long as it gets plenty of sunlight. Water it weekly. It may drop leaves, stop blooming and look a little sad by the end of winter due to low light and humidity but will perk up once its back outdoors in the spring.

• Dale H

  January 24th, 2008 at 4:43 pm · Reply

  Dale Hortman ( dayhortman@aol.com
  Thanks for all the info I have My mandavillas in the green house for the winter I live in Thomasville GA . Dont you think mandavillas should be okay here for the winter in the ground cut back and mulched heavy?

  Most mandevillas are hardy in zones 9-11 you are in zone 8 possibly 9. If grown in zone 8, it can die back from a freeze but will grow back from the roots in the spring. Heavy mulching and planting in a protected area would definately help in overwintering outdoors. You can also cut back any winter damaged stems in the spring.

• sasha2009

  May 6th, 2008 at 4:16 pm · Reply

  I winterized my mandevilla. Now I have put it outside. How long will it take to see new growth? Right now it looks completely dead.
  Thank you

  If your mandevilla survived overwintering, it should be showing some signs of life with warmer temperatures (60’s). Scratch the bark on the stem and see if there is some green, if so then it may still have some life in it. If brown and dried up then it may be dead. Cut back the dried up stems and water to see if any new growth comes out from the roots.

• Jo

  June 2nd, 2008 at 5:36 pm · Reply

  on my plant just purchased 3 weeks ago…the bottom leaves are turning yellow & droping…is this too much water? help! thanx J

  Hi Jo

  Barring insect infestation, yellowing older leaves can be a respose to stress, such as overwatering, lack of fertilizer(nitrogen) or the plant is just shedding some of its older leaves. Give it a light dose(1/2 ) of fertilizer (8-12-12 or even a 10-10-10) to give it a boost. Check the label. You can fertilize lightly every two weeks until mid- Sept. Be sure that the soil is drains well and the plant doesn’t sit in water.

• Daphne

  June 28th, 2008 at 7:54 am · Reply

  To re-plant my mandevilla amabalis outside in the summer, should I remove the dead stalk from the bulbs? Presently there is no growth after it successfully grew inside all winter.

  Hi Daphne,
  It’s always good to remove any dead material as it serves no purpose other than attract disease. Your mandevilla should have some new growth by now; a vacation outdoors should get it started. After re-potting place it in a shaded area for a week to avoid transplant shock. Warm temperatures, humidity and fresh soil should get it started.

• Janet Hayman

  July 21st, 2008 at 6:35 am · Reply

  No flowers
  Hi! I overwintered my mandevilla in the same pot it was in last year. Now it is back outside and looks great: bushy with lots of glossy green leaves and it is growing like crazy. But there are no flowers! I fertilize weekly but I did not change or add any soil to the pot from last year. Any tips to encourage blooms?

  Hi Janet
  You may be fertilizing your mandevilla too much nitrogen causing more leaf growth than flowering. Feed it with a fertilizer that is higher is phosphorous (middle #) 10-20-10 or a bloom boost.Mandevilla also needs to put on a foot or two of new growth to start blooming.

• Linda

  September 4th, 2008 at 1:15 pm · Reply

  I am in Ohio and bought 20 Mandevilla Trellis plants at Walmart and planted and spaced them around the fence surrounding our pool. I wanted something that would vine and cover the fence and get thicker and thicker. Now I find out they may not survive the winter. I can’t dig them up and bring them in because they are vining beautifully and giving the privacy I wanted. I am mulching them heavily before winter. Will I have to start from scratch each year or will they be bigger each year?

  HI Linda
  As soon as frost hits the air, your mandevilla vines will turn black and drop all its leaves. Chances are slim that the roots will survive the winter, if they do it will be an uphill battle each year. It’s a shame that no one informed you at Walmart that they are not hardy in Ohio.

• Kelley Willis

  September 18th, 2008 at 11:35 am · Reply

  I live in Shreveport La. During the summer I grew a beautiful Mandevilla on my trellis. Winter will be here my late December, my ques is should I cut back the plant and just mulch the roots at the base? and will it come back?

  Hi Kelley
  You are in plant zone 9 and Mandevilla is hardy in your area so it should grow next year. You don’t need to prune or cut it at this time. Leave it as it is. Mulch the roots at the base when the weather get colder. Cut your plant back in late winter/early spring to shape or remove any winter damage. You can cut back as much as 2/3 of the plant and it should bloom on the new growth. It needs to put on 1-2 ft of new growth to start blooming.

• Ellen Knoefel

  October 3rd, 2008 at 1:48 pm · Reply

  I certainly appreciate all the wonderful information on winterizing the mandevilla, but I did this last winter and found that come spring, late spring, early summer I had no flowers. It wasn’t until late August that I got beautiful flowers, but I am hoping I can do something this year to promote earlier blooms. My plants are now perfect, but soon I will lose them with a frost. Help!! and thanks.

  I don’t know how much you trimmed the plant in the spring, but don’t prune it more than 1/2 because mandevilla blooms on old wood. The more you cut back the longer it takes. In the spring, try fertilizing as soon as new growth begins-see if that makes a difference.

• Nelson Keller

  October 24th, 2008 at 8:29 am · Reply

  I have read the tips about winterizing but I live in North Carolina and have 3 beautiful madevilla vines planted in the ground climbing my back fence. There is a pretty large looking root system. Since the odds are against it surviving the winter outside, can I dig them up, pot them and then winterize in the garage as has been suggested. Will this be too much stress on the plant since i will be cutting off some of the root system?

  Hi Nelson
  Yes, you can dig them up and put them in pots. It will be stressful on the plants, they may even go dormant and loose all their leaves for the winter.
  North Carolina is in zone 7-8 and Mandevilla is hardy in zone 9-11. If you are closer to zone 8, you can try an experiment and “push” the hardiness by leaving one of your mandevillas outdoors and heavily mulch the roots later in the season to keep them from freezing. The vine will drop its leaves and dieback in colder temperatures but your plants roots may survive the winter. If it’s not too servere. It’s another option.

• Tracy Buckle

  November 10th, 2008 at 9:42 am · Reply

  I am in ontario,canada, i bought my Mandevilla in when it started to get cold, it was doing really well now my leaves have black spots on them.What am i doing wrong?

  HI Tracey
  Black spots on the leaves can be caused by a fungi or bacteria during the growing season. At this time of year your mandevilla may be responding to drastic temperature change or overwatering. Also check for insects, if you have an infestation, treat accordingly and remove any spotted leaves. With lower light conditions indoors, mandevilla will most likely drop a lot of leaves if not all, sulk and produce some spindly growth which will have to be cut back in spring. So if you have an insect infestation, trim the plant up to 1/3 now which will make treatment easier.

• otto edwards

  November 28th, 2008 at 7:09 pm · Reply

  Wintering mandevilla

  I brought my Mandevilla into the house for the winter and placed it under a gro lux light. I leave it on all the time. Many of the leaves are drying up, but it is putting out many small long vine like growths. How much should I water it , and how much, if any, should I prune it , and what about the new vines it is putting out? Enjoy your site and appreciate your comments/advice.

  Hi Otto
  Your mandevilla will shed some if not all leaves indoors because of low light and adverse growing conditions. The gro lux light will help supply more light and encourage more spindly growth. You can leave the new growth or if it becomes unmanagaeble trim it as it will need to be pruned off anyway in early spring . Water less in winter. Check the soil once a week for moisture.

• Sharin Nicholas

  March 26th, 2009 at 10:48 am · Reply

  I have a huge deck and every year I put Mandevillas all over it. I have a bamboo arbor in the entrance to the hottub deck and the vines and flowers grow and cover it. It looks like a tropical paradise all summer long. When I bring the plants in for the winter I leave the dead vines intact over the arbor. This gives the vines a very easy place to attach itself the following year. No sticks or props needed, just alittle guiding them when they start. If you want a picture let me know.

  yes, send us a picture.

• Lisa Young

  April 5th, 2009 at 7:16 pm · Reply

  I got a Mandevilla as a gift and I live in Hattiesburg, Ms. Can I plant it in a big pot and prune it like a bush or is it best to plant it in the ground with a trellis and cut it back to the ground each year?

  Hi Lisa
  Which ever method is more convenient for you. Mandevilla is a vine, it will be difficult to maintain it as a bush. It needs to vine to produce new growth to bloom.

• Trish

  April 14th, 2009 at 10:56 am · Reply

  i live in tucson, AZ will the madevilla survive our winter? thank you!

  Hi Trish
  Tucson, AZ is in zone 8, Mandevila is hardy in zone 9-11 and with stands minimum temperatures of 45-50F. The roots may survive the winter with added mulching but the top of the vine may die back from any cold spells. Planting it in a protected area will also help. The best way to check if it will thrive is to check the neighborhood for anyone else growing mandevilla.

• jess

  June 18th, 2009 at 4:15 pm · Reply

  i bought two mandevilla’s 4 months ago. they looked like they were too crowded, so i repotted them in bigger pots and put 6foot pieces of small fencing for them to grow. my flowers are growing very viberant and wild.this was the best thing for me to do. I have never had a green thumb but these flowers has made me understand gardening better.
  can i divide my mandevilla’s to have more potted plants?

  Hi Jess
  I’m glad you’re enjoying your new mandevilla. You can divide it, IF you have two distinct areas in the pot to divide.

• Kathy

  June 21st, 2009 at 6:58 am · Reply

  I should have looked this up earlier! I just bought a Mandevilla from walmart and I also did not know they were tropical. I fortunately haven’t yet planted it so I have a few questions. I live in Lovettsville, Virginia and I have a huge sun room. Lots of windows! Would a mandevilla make a nice indoor sun room plant or should I just go buy a container and have it outdoors during the summer and bring it into the sunroom for the winter? What size container does one need to keep this plant in? Is it going to become overwhelming? Thanks for you help!

  Hi Kathy
  Mandevilla is hardy in zone 9-11. It would make a great indoor sun room plant. Keep it outdoors in summer and bring it inside for the winter. A 10″ pot would work for starters. You can trim the vine in the fall before you bring it inside or in early spring before it goes out. For more info see Mandevilla

• Pat Klamo

  June 21st, 2009 at 2:56 pm · Reply

  This is my first mandevilla and it is beautiful but this past week we have had a tremendous amount of rainfall. My plant is really drooping and not flowering. We finally discovered there are no drain holes in the pot. We did poke several holes for drainage. Is this the reason for the drooping leaves?

  Hi Pat
  If the soil is wet and the plant is droopy, then the problem may be root rot from too much water. If the roots were wet for an extended amount of time then they may have root rot. Let the soil dry out and see if the plant improves. The roots may or may not recover.

• Karla

  July 5th, 2009 at 12:15 pm · Reply

  I just bought my first mandevilla vine and this will be my first time bringing in a plant from outdoors over the winter (I live in Iowa). I have read every thing on your site on how to winterize the plant, but I have a question as to the general bugs that get in the soil, leaves, etc how do I get rid of those before bringing in? I can’t stand the thought of allowing those creepy crawly things in my house! I also do no chemicals so if there is a “green” way of getting rid of those before bringing the plant in, I would appreciate that way instead. Thank you

• Dean

  July 7th, 2009 at 6:29 am · Reply

  I live northern Indiana (only 5 miles from Michigan) and I once wintered-over a Calla Lilly by placing several large bags of leaves (about three feet deep) on top of the plants after the first frost. It worked great. Could I do this same thing with my Mandevilla? Thanks

  Hi Dean
  You can try it but I think mandevilla is more cold sensitive than calla lily and may not survive.

• Chi

  July 14th, 2009 at 11:12 pm · Reply

  I recently bought a crimpson red mandevilla plant. I saw it in southern california, fell in love with it and had to drag it back to northern california with me. I am trying ot see if I should plant it to the ground or to a bigger pot, depending on the zone number I am in. I live in San Jose so can you please tell me what zone that is? Does it matter if I were to plant it to a tall pot versus a wide pot? If I were to plant it to the ground, is it sentive to being grown next to another plant (like African lily)? Thanks.

  Hi Chi
  You are in zone 9a-9b. Mandevilla is hardy in zone 9-11. Should be fine for the winter.

• Trish

  July 15th, 2009 at 3:52 pm · Reply

  Hi I just purchased a Mandevilla from Walmart, I just fell in love with it. I live in Michigan and was concerned with it being a tropical plant, if it will go into a dormant stage before I bring it into the house for winter. What will be a good insecticide that will also be safe for my pets?
  Thanks

  Hi Trish
  Your mandevilla will continue to grow when you bring it indoors, unless you expose it to cold temperatures where it would drop all its leaves. Otherwise, if you bring it indoors and place it in a sunny room, it will continue to grow. The insecticide you would use on the plant is dependant on what’s “bugging” the plant. A general safe insecticide is insecticidal soap or a soapy water solution.

  Here’s a recipe for a general spray that I found: Blend 1 garlic bulb and 1 sm. onion. Add 1 tsp of cayenne pepper. Let mixture stand overnight and strain. Should work on some insects. Keep away from eyes and skin as it can burn. Wear rubber gloves when mixing. I have not tried this one.

• Mary Martinez

  July 18th, 2009 at 8:26 pm · Reply

  Mandevilla winter hardy
  I have a question: I just bought a mandaville vine and planted it outside so it could climb up on my porch. I have been reading the other comments about bringing the plant inside for the winter. I live in Wisconsin and I am wondering if mulching the vine heavily in fall and then placing a rose cone over it wouldn’t be enough protection from the harsh winters we can get here. Or should I just dig it up and bring it in the house for the winter. Please advise.

  Hi Mary
  Mandevilla is a tropical vine and would not survive the winter cold, even with heavy mulching. I think you will have to dig it up and store it indoors.

• Amy Arnold

  August 15th, 2009 at 2:09 pm · Reply

  I live in Indianapolis and I winterized my Mandevilla last winter as you recommended. This past summer I took it outside and it returned to a big, beautiful, full plant with georgeous leaves but never bloomed. What have I done wrong and is it worth trying again? Thanks for your help.

  Hi Amy
  Did you fertilize your mandevilla? If so, what kind of formula (10-10-10)?

• Amy

  August 16th, 2009 at 6:15 pm · Reply

  I fertilized regularly with 12-4-8. Should I try it again this year and use 10-10-10?

  Use a fertilizer formulated for flowering plants such as a bloom boost which is 10-50-10. The middle number is crucial to promoting flowering. A higher first number which is Nitrogen will promote leaf growth at the expense of flowers. A balanced fertilizer like 10-10-10 is better than what you are using. Don’t give up on your mandevilla. Give it a bloom boost this year and see if it will respond. It will probably bloom when you bring it back indoors. We learn from trial and error which makes us better gardeners.

• Dru

  August 29th, 2009 at 1:14 pm · Reply

  I have just read every one of your questions and your answers. This one I did not see. I live in the NorthEast Georgia area. Zone 8 I believe. My 3 Mandevillas are on the top of a small hill outside the pool. the chain link is what they grow on. I water every day. It has good drainage and they are so pretty they dont even look real. I have the thicker leaf type. We have a harbor near the vines with several electric plugs. I just got 3 clip-on heat lamps with the heat bulbs that will clip on to the top of my fence shooting down on each vine. Can I mulch as you suggested, cut back the vine and cover with plastic at night with the heat lamps shooting down every night and only take plastic off when the sun gets to 45 degrees durring the day? If the day does not get above 45 can i keep the plastic on with the heat lamps?

  HI Dru
  Sounds like a lot of effort on your part. I’m not sure if its worth it. Go for it. I would cut back the vine, mulch heavily 4-6″ in Dec. (coldest part of the winter) and hope for the best. Let us know how you did.

• Karen Kelly

  September 23rd, 2009 at 9:19 am · Reply

  Pruning Mandevilla
  I have a Mandaville and I was wondering if it could be cut in half, it is so big there is no way it will live in my house and I don’t want to kill it. It has wrapped it self and the trelis and I also have stakes in the with it and it has wrapped it self around those also, but I dont’ want to kill it and I am afraid if I cut it back that is what I will do. HELP

  Hi Kelly
  Yes, you can cut your mandevilla back to make it manageable indoors. Place it in the sunniest window in the house.

• Pat

  September 30th, 2009 at 6:39 am · Reply

  My children bought me a mandevilla in June 2009 for my birthday. I live in CO & its Oct. do I wait until all the leaves drop before bringing it in? The weather says its supposed to freeze tomorrow night. Also can I wrap the roots in newspaper & store them in a box or plastic box in basement? I can’t get the plant and container into the basement. Thanks so much

  Hi Pat
  Once your mandevilla is exposed to freezing temperatures, it will drop its leaves. You can bring it indoors before it drops its leaves and either keep it in a sunny window or store it in the basement. It will eventually drop its leaves from low light once it is in the basement. You can also trim the plant back up to 1/2 for storage purposes. It’s better if the roots have some protection(soil) around them to keep them from drying out. What if you planted the Mandevilla in the plastic box for the winter? I haven’t tried it but it would function the same as a pot. Make sure you water once every month or so to keep the soil from completely drying out.

• denise bow

  September 30th, 2009 at 4:50 pm · Reply

  I live in Ind “burrr” clueless, I planted my flower in the ground I will mulch heavy at the roots but should I prune it back before the first freeze? It is just a baby and started flowering in May, my husband weed whacked it and some of it died and some survived, doing ok for now. Thanks

  Hi Denise
  Mandevilla is a tropical plant and will not survive outdoors in Indiana. Either you dig it up or kiss it goodbye.

• Barbara Foster

  October 8th, 2009 at 12:48 pm · Reply

  I live in Southern California, Beaumont Calif.. I just bought two Mandevilla Giant White plants. I want to plant them outside, to vine on the block wall.
  It does rain here, and some nights get cold. It gets hot in the summer, full sun where I want to plant them. Will they survive, do I have to
  bring them inside in winter, when it rains hard or gets cold at night?

  Hi Barbara
  As long as temeperatures do not get below 40F at night, your mandevilla can be left outside. If a cold spell is eminent then cover the plant with a blanket.

• Sunny

  October 9th, 2009 at 7:59 pm · Reply

  I wish I had found this website earlier. There is really a lot of great information. My deal is, due to the danger of frost this weekend, I cut my mandevilla back to about 6″ above the soil line and have it in indirect sunlight in the garage for now. Did I cut it back too much? Also, when I actually bring it in to make it dormant, do I put it in a clear plastic bag and place it in a cool dark area of the basement? I live in WI. Yes, cold.

• LINDA

  October 12th, 2009 at 9:44 pm · Reply

  i live in victoria,bc canada.i have wo beautiful red madevilla vines,it is getting cold at night below 10,i have been bringing in during the night and puttnig back out during the day. my plants are still covered with beautiful blooms how long should i wait to cut back for winter. thank you

  Hi Linda
  You don’t need to cut it back for winter, if you keep it as a houseplant. Mandevillas are cut back when they get too large and are unmanageable indoors. If you plan on storing it in a dormant stage, then prune it down. This will give insects less area to infest.

• Melissa

  October 12th, 2009 at 10:55 pm · Reply

  Hello, I live in Michigan and it snowed today. I thought I was resigned to my mandevilla dying in the winter, but when I looked outside to see snow and my plant looking wilted I freaked and brought it inside. The leaves are still green and the flowers were doing ok till today when it snowed. Now all the flowers and buds are hanging, the loose vines look wilted and the leaves on them are dead, but the leaves on the main plant are still green. My mom says the whole thing is probably dead and just not showing it yet. Is there a way to know if the roots survived?

  I know it’s probably too late, and I didn’t even plan to keep it over winter, but it was such a beautiful plant . . . any help would be appreciated.

  Hi Melissa
  I don’t think the roots are frozen yet. Bring the plant inside, cut off all the dead stuff and store it in the basement (dormant ) for the winter. It may surprise you and grow next spring. If you want to test the roots. leave the plant inside in a sunny window and see if it sends out new growth.

• Zina

  October 14th, 2009 at 6:47 am · Reply

  I brought my potted Mandevilla’s in lastnight to protect them from an early frost. We had a few house flies and a WASP flying around the room by morning. I had planned to leave them inside for the winter. What’s going on?

  Hi Zina
  Most likely some insects hitchhicked on your Mandevilla-that is why its a good idea to check your plants before you bring them indoors. When the weather cooperates, take the plant outside and spray it with insecticidal soap to get rid of any unwanted bugs.For more info see http://hortchat.com/info/houseplants-bring-them-inside

• Marcia Schneider

  October 14th, 2009 at 7:19 am · Reply

  I live in Fort Wayne, IN. We have very very cold winters. I want to make sure that if I put my plants in the garage over the winter since I do not have room in my house for all of them. Do I need to prune them down 1/2 the size or to what? Also since I would like to keep them in the garage do I need to cover them? Do I need to do anything with the soil? Then how often in the winter should I water them?

  Hi Marcia
  You can prune them now or in the spring. Chances are that part of the stems will die back during the winter and will have to be pruned in spring. Cutting the vines back in the fall helps with storing the plant and leaves less surface for bug infestation. Make sure that temperatures do not get lower than 40F. in winter. When stored dormant or in the garage, mandevilla will drop all its leaves-so don’t panic. Your main objective is to keep the roots from freezing and drying out. Cover the plant to protect it from cold when you open the garage door and temepratures drop. For more info see above article “to winterize plant”

• Mary

  October 14th, 2009 at 8:28 am · Reply

  Hi,
  I live in Ontario Canada and bought 2 beautiful plants this summer. I have just brought them inside and wrapped them in plastic bag ( dry cleaner plastic film) I have been reading your site and you talk of treating for insects.. A friend told me to wrap in plastic and spray for bugs and leave bag on for a few days. Is this correct procedure for Mandevilla plants? What do I spray for insect? The plants are thriving and in full bloom again. I can leave them in sunny location so do I need to trim them back?

  Hi Mary
  The plastic bag is a good way to treat for bugs but be sure to keep the plant away from sun during that time. I prefer to take them into the garage or outdoors and spray. If there are any insects, a safe insecticidal soap should get rid of the general bugs. Keep an eye on the plant during the winter for “newcomers” such as spider mites or scale. Since the plant is thriving, place it in a sunny winter and enjoy. You don’t need to prune back. As winter progresses, it will slow down growing and blooming. You can always cut it back in early spring to remove spindly growth.

• Ann

  October 17th, 2009 at 7:42 am · Reply

  Hello,

  I have read all the entries of this post, and I thank youvery much for the clear, precise information. I live in southern central Maryland. We were forecast to hit the 40s – 30s last night, so I btought in my two mandevillas. One is in a pot, so I understand what to do. I dug the other one up, and brought it in. My question is what type of soil should I use for the one that was in the ground? It gave beautiful red blooms all spring/summer, but never vinde. It has plush low growth. I’d love for it to survive the winter indoors. They will both live upstairs next to an East window. Thanks for any help you can offer.

  Hi Ann
  Replant your dug up Mandevilla in a good potting soil mix for houseplants. The outdoor soil will not do. It may drop some of its leaves due to lower light conditions.

• Michele S.

  October 31st, 2009 at 9:48 am · Reply

  I have a mandevilla that’s new to me & it has new growth at the bottom but the top is turning brown. Should I cut it back or wait? I have given it Miracle Grow & pest ridden it when I brought it in for winter. It didn’t bloom for me either this summer.Thanks for your help.

  Hi Michelle
  Was the plant exposed to cold temperatures? Is that why the top is turning brown. If so, cut off the browning stems and allow the new growth to grow. If you plan on keeping it as a houseplant, place it in the brightest window in the house. See the article on wintering mandevilla for more information.
  Next spring, when you bring the plant outdoors, place it in a sunny location and fertilize it with a well balanced fertilizer (10-10-10) so that the vine puts on healthy new growth which should stimulate flowering.

• Lidia

  November 1st, 2009 at 9:47 am · Reply

  Unwanted spindly winter growth & slow to bloom

  I have a mandevilla that I winterized last winter and it’s healthy except that it did not bloom for me this summer and it also took all summer for it to grow. I fertilized but still no blooms. I bought a baby plant in the spring and that one took off beautifully.
  So, now I need to winterize both plants to a “dormant stage”,but while the plant was in so call dormant stage it developed pale new growth. The weather was still not ready for outdoor exposure. Can you give some tips on how to deal with that issue if it happens again? By the way love this site!

  Hi Lidia
  The plant will develop some spindly growth if it gets light and too much moisture. If you store it dormant in a cool, dark place then you should not get any growth. Also water once a month – just enough to keep the soil from totally drying out.
  Because Mandevillas bloom on new growth, they need to put on good healthy growth early in the season in order to initiate blooming. Some Mandevilla are slow to start when they are rootbound from last years growth. You may need to replant it into a larger container or at least replace half of the existing soil and trim back the roots. In addition, cut back the plant by 1/3-1/2 in Feb/March which will stimulate new healthy growth fit for blooming. Weak, stindly growth will produce less flowers. Provide full sun and fertilze like you have been. Hopefully, this will jumpstart to an earlier bloom.

• Lorna

  November 3rd, 2009 at 2:34 pm · Reply

  I’ve been reading your replies with much interest. What are my chances of saving an in-ground Mandevilla in Oklahoma City? We usually have a mild winter, but will get at least 2 bad blasts after New Year’s. And I read in one of your replies that these bloom on old wood, so could I take this year’s vines, and either mulch and/or cover with a large bell jar after I mulch the roots? Not to leave the glass on all winter, but intermittently, when the weather goes sour? Or will the one or 2 blasts be enough to snuff this plant? Thank you!

  Hi Lorna
  One freezing winter blast will kill the plant. It sounds like more trouble than its worth. Store the mandevilla in the garage/basement, it should have a better chance of survival.

• Lauren

  November 5th, 2009 at 3:11 pm · Reply

  I have a mandevilla and it is not doing too well. I live in Louisiana, I have it outside partly shady and it is spiraling up my porch rails. It usually doesn’t get too cold around here till January. It still is just growth, no blooms. I have fertilized it with miracle grow several times and still nothing. What should I do to help it grow and stay alive during the winter. I don’t have a green thumb, but it was one of my mother’s favorite plants before she died so this year I decided to buy me one, but I just can’t seem to keep it blooming or growing for that matter. Thanks for your time.

  Hi Lauren
  Mandevilla needs 6-8 hours of direct sun to bloom well. If it is in shade it will bloom less.
  Make sure you protect the roots with mulch before the cold season comes. Remember it is a tropical plant and a freeze can kill the vine. If a frost is predicted, cover the vine with a blanket. It may drop its leaves from the cold but the roots will survive (depending on how severe the frost was).

• Chrissy

  November 14th, 2009 at 11:35 am · Reply

  Thanks for all of the info! We live in Richmond, Va and I gave my mother a Sun Parasol Crimson Mandevilla (Sunmandecrim is part of the discription). We plan to bring it inside as suggested above, etc. BUT the plant’s info /care instruction tag says this is an annual. Does that mean we bought an Annual version of the plant OR is that just becuase it is a tropical plant and not expected to come back unless it is brought in. We will be extremely dissapointed if this variety is actually an Annual and cannot be saved. Do you know?

  Hi Chrissy,
  You answered your own question. Because it is a tropical plant, it is considered an annual, that’s why you need to bring it indoors for the winter. With a little care, your mandevilla should survive the winter indoors and perk up in spring. Happy indoor gardening!

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