Mandevilla
Mandevilla sanderi and hybrids
Mandevilla is a twining climber with glossy leaves and large, trumpet-shaped flowers in pink, red or white through the warm months. Compact Dipladenia types suit pots and hanging baskets.
Photo: Calimo · CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Essential Care Requirements
Light
Full sun, Partial sun
Watering
Moderate
Water when the top of the soil is dry; it tolerates short dry spells.
Soil
Rich, well-drained potting mix; pH 6.0–7.0.
Temperature and humidity
10–38 °C · Moderate humidity
Feeding
Feed every two weeks in the growing season with a phosphorus-rich fertilizer.
Pruning and propagation
Propagate by stem cuttings
Prune in late winter; flowers form on new growth.
The milky sap can irritate skin and may upset the stomachs of pets if chewed.
Top Cultivation Tips
Give a small trellis to twine on.
Dipladenia types need no support.
Keep under cover during heavy rain.
Wear gloves when pruning.
Common problems
Mealybugs
White, cottony insects that hide in leaf joints and under leaves, weakening plants and spreading easily to neighbours.
How to treat it →PestSpider mites
Tiny sap-sucking mites that thrive in hot, dry conditions, causing speckled, dull leaves and fine webbing.
How to treat it →PestWhiteflies
Small white flying insects that gather under leaves, sucking sap, spreading viruses and leaving sticky honeydew.
How to treat it →
