A Mandevilla plant is truly a tropical gem that you can’t resist at the garden center. Its vibrant colors and lush green leaves are simply captivating. In this post, I’ll share a video along with images full of tips on how to cultivate your very own Mandevilla tropical delight!
This video is feature on my Bren Haas YouTube Channel. Feel free to subscribe to get updates when content is published. However, best place to follow is my about page featuring contact information.
About Mandevilla Plants
Mandevilla is a tropical, perennial shrubs and vines. With over 180 recognized species, they are found from the Desert Southwest of the USA, extending through Mexico and Central America to South America. Many of these species originate from Brazil. The genus is named in honor of Henry Mandeville, a British diplomat and gardener.
Over the years, I’ve noticed the Mandevilla flourishing in some truly stunning gardens. During a garden blogger tour, I came across a lovely window box above a garage door, where the shorter red variety of Mandevilla was thriving. I hope to locate that photo to share with all of you, if I can recall where I saw that beautiful display. In my own garden, I’ve incorporated Mandevilla on trellises and in containers alongside other tropical plants that winter in my greenhouse. Recently, I’ve added a few unique colors to my collection, including a beautiful yellow and a shorter blue variety that only reaches about 18 inches in height.
I strongly recommend including at least one Mandevilla in your home garden collection, as they provide vibrant color during the spring and summer months. Additionally, they can bring a lovely green vine to your home throughout the winter.
Mandevilla plants in the nursery trade are generally hybrids involving more than one species. Breeding trends are toward a more shrubby, less vining habit and an expanded color range. Currently, cultivars of the popular SunParasol® group come in all shades of pink and red, as well as bicolors, white, yellow and bluish purple. A double-flowered cultivar is available.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No major problems but can attract mites, aphids, thrips and whitefly insects. I personally have not had any issues with the plant except for over watering in the greenhouse during the winter months.
How to Cultivate Mandevilla
As a home gardener, we are fortunate to have access to a wide array of Mandevilla varieties that are readily available at local stores. You can find at least one variety in any big box store or even in smaller, family-owned garden centers. Most of the varieties I highlighted in my blog post and video today are sourced from local growers. Here, I will share how to successfully grow Mandevilla based on my personal experience in hardiness zone 6 / 5B.
This tropical plant thrives in well-drained soil. Potting soil works wonderfully, as long as it doesn’t become overly soggy. If the roots are too wet, don’t worry; the Mandevilla is quite forgiving.
- Light Requirements: Choose a location in your garden that receives ample sunlight.
- Acclimatization: When transitioning the Mandevilla from a greenhouse or indoors to the outdoors, be sure to acclimate the plant to prevent sunburn from direct, unfiltered sunlight. Most Mandevilla varieties can handle intense sun, especially in Ohio.
- Provide a trellis for the vine or climbing varieties
- When the container gets dry be sure to water the plant. Provide a good food for the plant during the growing season. For me that is during the late spring and summer months.
Frost Protection
It’s vital to protect the plant from frost, as the Mandevilla is suited for zones 9-11 and cannot withstand freezing temperatures. Move the plant to a sheltered area, such as indoors or in a greenhouse, where temperatures do not drop below 50°F. Personally, I have successfully overwintered many varieties in my dome greenhouse, which can dip to 45°F during winter. However, I must admit that I have lost a few plants, as they do not tolerate cold or drastic temperature changes well, especially during late winter months when stress can affect them.
Reference Links About Mandevilla
You can always check with the growers that provide tropical plants for current growing information and availability. For facts about the plants be sure to check your states extension office where you will find the latest research and growing tips.
North Carolina:https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/mandevilla/
Latest Mandevilla Shares
You will no doubt find more content including videos featuring this tropical delight in the seasons to come. Below are some of my current post featuring this plant. Be sure to click on each to get a closer look at the vlogs and images.
Thank you for checking out my blog post about mandevilla plants today!
Let’s Connect
I hope you consider dropping me a message if you have questions about the content shared today about the mandevilla plants I grow here in Ohio. I appreciate your support so be sure to connect with me on my website.
Happy Gardening,
2 Responses
Love them. The white is so pretty. And the colors of course. When I get more light by a window, maybe my indoor plants will bloom.
Thanks for leaving a comment friend! I bet that madavilla would love it on your patio / deck with some sunshine.