Four or five years ago I found this beautiful tropical/subtropical plant in a nursery. I was immediately smitten by the lush blooms. In the meantime, they are amazingly popular and can even be found in ordinary garden centers. No wonder: They are vigorously blooming from late spring into fall, and will grow larger, especially the Mandevilla vines.
Gardeners appreciate Mandevilla vines (Mandevilla splendens) for their ability to climb up trellises and garden walls quickly and easily. The climbing vine can cover a backyard, hiding eyesores quickly and beautifully. Mandevilla species are native to the Southwestern US, Mexico, Central America, the West Indies, and South America, especially Brasil.
This beautiful plant is tougher than it looks, but it will not grow or bloom in temperatures lower than 50 degrees F. However, the roots are still alive and the plant will grow back in spring. In climates lower than zone 8, the plant may not survive the winter. The solution is to grow the Mandevilla in a pot and bring it indoors when temps reach about 50 degrees F.
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How to Grow for Mandevilla Outdoors
Plant the Mandevilla in partial shade and well-drained soil. Water the plant regularly, but allow the soil to dry between each irrigation. Fertilize Mandevilla regularly during the growing season. To maintain your young plant, train the vine to grow on a trellis. Pinch or prune young plants to encourage bushy growth and to maintain the desired size and shape.
Mandevilla Indoor Growing
Mandevilla is suitable for growing indoors year-round, but this tropical plant needs a warm, sunny location such as a south-facing window, especially in winter. If you have a sunroom with light from all sites your Mandevilla might even bloom in winter. But don’t force and fertilize it. The plant needs a rest during wintertime.
Trim the plants back. This will decrease the leaf loss you see inside and help prime some new growth that's better adapted to indoor conditions. A popular spray that is okay to use on a plant you are bringing indoors is Neem Oil. Once a month bring your plant into the shower to apply some moisture onto the leaves.
Move the plant outdoors during the summer months. Water when the soil feels dry to the touch, then allow the pot to drain thoroughly. This includes indoor heating vents. Blasts of hot (or cold) air can cause yellow or brown foliage. Fertilize the plant regularly during spring and summer. Repot the Mandevilla plant to a slightly larger pot with a drainage hole every spring. Pinch wilted blooms regularly and prune the plant at least by half in late autumn.
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