Mandevilla is a tropical flowering vine with glossy leaves and trumpet-shaped blooms that is grown in containers and brought indoors before frost in most of the US. Clemson says most species overwinter outdoors only in the tropical South, so elsewhere you treat it as a seasonal vine or a winter houseplant. Feed it every two weeks in spring and summer, pinch young plants for bushiness and give it a trellis. It flowers in early summer and again in early fall (Clemson).
- Origin
- The Americas
- Sun
- Full sun to flower well (UF/IFAS); partial shade outdoors (Clemson)
- Soil
- Rich, well-drained, sandy, with humus
- Feeding
- Every 2 weeks, spring and summer
- Bloom time
- Early summer and early fall
- Vine length
- Up to 20 ft in a season (large types)
- Winter
- Indoors before first freeze
Light
The sources differ. UF/IFAS says mandevilla needs full sun to flower well, and Clemson says to grow it in partial shade outdoors.
Soil and feeding
Soil
Feeding
Pinching
Growth
Growing in containers
Clemson says mandevillas are great in containers, hanging baskets or trellised in containers. A container also lets you move the plant indoors before the first freeze.
Winter
Varieties
| Variety | Best for | Size | Flower | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alice Dupont | A medium pink flower | — | Medium pink | Named by UF/IFAS |
| Mandevilla boliviensis | White flowers | — | White | A favorite of many gardeners (UF/IFAS) |
| Rio Pink | A compact plant | Compact | Pink | Named by UF/IFAS |
| Red Velvet | A large vine | Up to 20 ft in a season | — | Named by UF/IFAS |
Bloom time
Clemson says mandevilla flowers in early summer and again in early fall.
Grow these next
Bougainvillea is another sun-loving flowering plant for pots, and passionflower is a climbing vine that UF/IFAS lists as hardy in zones 7B to 11. See the tropical flowers collection for the full set.
Frequently asked questions
How much sun does mandevilla need?
The sources differ. UF/IFAS says full sun to flower well. Clemson says to grow mandevillas in partial shade outdoors.
How often should I fertilize mandevilla?
Clemson says every two weeks in spring and summer with a high-phosphorus fertilizer such as 10-20-10.
Can mandevilla stay outside in winter?
Clemson says most species overwinter outdoors only in the tropical South. Bring the plant indoors before the first freeze and treat it as a houseplant for the winter.
How big does mandevilla get?
UF/IFAS says the stems of larger varieties like 'Red Velvet' can reach up to 20 feet in a single season.
When does mandevilla bloom?
Clemson says it flowers in early summer and again in early fall.
Sources
- Mandevilla, UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions
- Mandevilla (HGIC), Clemson Cooperative Extension, Home and Garden Information Center
Bougainvillea
Hibiscus
Passionflower