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Winterize Mandevilla

I currently have a beautiful Mandevilla and would like to preserve it for the winter months. I live on Long Island NY. any tips?

dipladenia

There are many varieties of Mandevillas,including varieties formerly known as Dipladenia. The old fashioned variety Mandevilla x amabilis Alice du Pont has fuzzy foliage and bright pink flowers, grows vigorously. Among other cultivars Mandevilla splendens (Dipladenia splendens) has a dark glossy leaf. Both are grown trellised and have a tendency to vine. These species of tropical vines winter over only in the tropical South. They tolerate a minimum temperature of 45-50F at which time growth will begin to slow down. For winter storage keep the plant outside as long as possible before bringing it indoors. Check for insects and use insecticidal soap if needed.

To winterize the plant; either treat it as a houseplant or store it in a dormant stage.
Mandevilla as a houseplant can be trimmed back to make it manageable and needs a sunny window to flourish. Water once a week. You will get some leaf drop due to lower light and humidy indoors.
Another way to winterize mandevilla is in a dormant stage in a garage or cool basement with temperatures around 45-55F. Cut it back to about 12 inches above the soil line. Treat for insects if any. Keep it dry but not completely dry. Check periodically for soil moisture. It will drop its leaves. The important thing to keep in mind is that you want to keep it alive it through the winter. In the spring some of the old growth may be pruned back and when new shoots develop move the plant to a sunny window. Pinch the new growth to get a bushier plant. Repot in fresh soil and set outside when danger of frost has passed.

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September 15th, 2006 | Tags: | Category: Garden Review, Mandevilla, TROPICAL PLANTS | 35 comments
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35 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

    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

    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. 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.

  • Nancy
    April 17th, 2009 at 2:51 pm · Reply

    I want to know if someone sells Alice dupont Mandevilla cuttings I am very interested…

  • darlene
    May 24th, 2009 at 7:33 pm · Reply

    my mandevilla is in a pot i did cut down about 12in last winter put it inside of the house with lots of windows.it is not growing the roots still look alive but not growing help

    Hi Darlene
    Was it growing indoors during the winter?

  • 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.

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