Mandevilla

( man - dev - VILL - uh )

At-A-Glance Information

Commonly called Rocktrumpet, this genus of evergreen and deciduous vines and vining shrubs needs full sun to partial shade and regular water for best performance. They are grown for their showy, sometimes fragrant flowers and climb structures using twining stems. These plants are native to the southwestern United States, Central America, the West Indies, and South America, and need some heat to produce a full show of blooms. Use Mandevilla vines to cover trellises and arbors, in hanging baskets or containers, as a groundcover, or in mixed beds and borders. They are versatile tropical plants that can instantly add dramatic color and a lush, tropical ambiance to the garden. Take care when planting these vines in the landscape, as plant parts are toxic to humans and pets if ingested.

Mandevilla Species and Varietals

The genus Mandevilla is a member of the plant family Apocynaceae and includes over 180 distinct species. Plants in this genus are closely related to those in Nerium (Oleander), Frangipani (Plumeria), and Vinca (Periwinkle). The genus is named for British diplomat and garden enthusiast Henry Mandeville. The best growing zones for Mandevilla vary depending on the species. For more information, see the descriptions below. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Mandevilla boliviensis (White Mandevilla, White Dipladenia)
These twining, woody climbing plants produce glossy evergreen foliage and can reach up to 13 feet tall. In northern zones, they reach about half as large and are deciduous. Flowers are large and white with golden-yellow centers, and bloom from spring through fall. Cultivar 'Cosmos White' is considered a choice garden ornamental. White Mandevilla grows well in USDA hardiness zones 10 and 11.

Mandevilla brachysiphon (Huachuca Mountain Rocktrumpet, Rocktrumpet)
These plants are native to Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, and Mexico, where they prefer to grow on rocky sloped areas in deserts and grasslands. These vines are suited for growing in USDA hardiness zones 8-11 and tolerate limestone soils well. These are low-growing plants, rarely cresting 15 inches tall. Showy white flowers open at nighttime, and are very fragrant. 

Mandevilla laxa (Chilean Jasmine)
This species is best in USDA hardiness zones 8-11 or Sunset growing zones 4-9, 14-24 and H1 and is evergreen in frost-free areas (deciduous otherwise). It is native to Chile and Argentina, and reaches 15 feet or more, blooming in summertime. Flowers are fragrant with a smell similar to Gardenia, and bloom in clusters of white. This species can act somewhat aggressively in gardens in frost-free tropical or subtropical regions if left unmanaged.

Mandevilla sanderi (Brazilian Jasmine, Rose Dipladenia, Mandevilla, Dipladenia)
These vines are grown as ornamentals, and are endemic to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. They grow rapidly and form creeping perennial plants to 15 feet tall at maximum. Flowers are large and red-pink, blooming in early summer through late winter in the plant's native range. Brazilian Jasmine grows well in USDA hardiness zones 9-11. This species can act somewhat aggressively in gardens in frost-free tropical or subtropical regions if left unmanaged.

Mandevilla splendens (Shining Mandevilla, Dipladenia, Rocktrumpet, Pink Mandevilla)
These flowering evergreen vines are native to Brazil, and reach up to 10 feet tall when mature. Flowers are rose-pink with yellow centers, and bloom from late springtime through early summer. In temperate zones, these plants must be given protection in winter to survive. Plant in a sheltered spot with full sun. Cultivar 'White' (pictured) has white flowers with yellow centers. Shining Mandevilla grows well in USDA hardiness zones 9-11.

Caring for Mandevilla

Take care when planting these vines in the landscape, as plant parts are toxic to humans and pets if ingested. Plant these vines in full sun to dappled/partial shade; they should receive between 6 and 8 hours of sunlight every day for best flowering and foliage growth. Vines grown in too much shade tend to get leggy and have sparse foliage. Some afternoon protection from sun is needed in particularly hot areas to avoid over-stressing the plant or foliage sunburn. They prefer well-draining soil with a pH of between 6.0 and 7.0. If local soils are compacted, do not drain well, or are particularly poor in nutrients, make sure to amend the planting area with plenty of organic matter or compost before installing. Apply a thick layer of mulch around the base of the plant after installation, ensuring that mulch stays at least a few inches away from the stems. This will increase soil moisture retention, suppress weed growth, and maintain a constant soil temperature. Water new plants regularly as they establish themselves in the landscape. At maturity, Mandevilla vines are considered somewhat drought-tolerant, able to get by on rainwater alone for much of the year with supplemental irrigations during extended periods of drought. As a general rule of thumb, water whenever the top inch or two of soil feels dry to the touch.

Fertilize yearly in early springtime with an application of 2 inches of compost around the base of plants. Pull mulch back before applying, work the compost gently into the soil a bit, water it in, and then replace mulch. Foliage can be trimmed back at any time of the year to control growth and remove dead, damaged and diseased stems and leaves. Thin growth to neaten appearance and shorten any leggy stems. Doing so will keep the plant at its healthiest form. Pinch young plants to encourage a bushy habit to form. Mandevilla vines are perennials, and typically live for 5 to 10 years with proper care before needing to be replaced. In zones where they are grown as annuals, they are pulled and composted at the end of the growing season and replaced in the next with a new plant.

Propagation

Mandevilla vines can be propagated either by using cuttings or from seed. To ensure that your propagated plant will have the exact same qualities and characteristics as the parent plant, use the cutting method. If you would like to experiment and see what plant you can grow from seed, just keep in mind that it will not necessarily be the same as the parent plant. To propagate your Mandevilla vine, follow the instructions below:

Propagating Mandevilla by Cutting
  1. Gather your materials. You'll need a clean, sanitized, sharp pair of garden shears, rooting hormone, a pencil, and a 3-inch pot filled with well-draining compost or other organic material. A good substrate for propagation of cuttings is a light blend of 1/3 pasteurized soil or compost, 1/3 sand, vermiculite or perlite, and 1/3 coconut coir or peat moss.
  2. In spring or early summertime, choose the plant that you'd like to propagate. Ensure that this plant has had a good watering the night before, as this will improve the chances your cutting will take root. Cut one or more 6 inch portion(s) of the end of a non-blooming branch and strip the leaves off of the lower half. Make a hole in your planting medium by pushing your pencil into the soil. Dip the end of the stem in rooting hormone, and plant it in your pot. Fill in soil around the cutting to support it, but do not pack it down too much.
  3. Moisten with water, and ensure that the pot has good drainage. Your pot should be kept in warm, sunny conditions indoors (and not in direct sunlight). Water whenever your soil is dry under the top layer. After about four to six weeks have passed, your cutting should be rooted. When you notice new growth, you'll know you have roots. 
  4. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring, when you can transplant it to its new home. Ensure that the last frost of the year has occurred before doing this, as it can seriously damage your new shrub.

Propagating Mandevilla by Seed
  1. Keep in mind that the plant you get from seed will not necessarily mimic all of the characteristics of the parent plant. To propagate by seed, you will need a paper bag, a pot or tray filled with well-draining compost or other organic material, a spray bottle and a fork. The best potting medium for seed germination is a light blend of 1/3 pasteurized soil or compost, 1/3 sand, vermiculite or perlite, and 1/3 coconut coir or peat moss.
  2. Harvest your seeds. The seed pods on Mandevilla plants are pretty easy to spot, they're large and dangle from the branches, left behind after flowers have faded. Once they have dried out and begun to split open, you can harvest the seeds inside. Cut them off of the plant, placing them in a paper bag. Harvest as many as you can, and place the paper bag in a dry, cool, dark area. They will begin to split open and release the seeds contained inside. Once they have been released, take them out of the bag and put them in a container so you can work with them.
  3. Soak seeds in lukewarm water for about 12-24 hours before sowing to soften their seed coat.
  4. Water your prepared seed tray or pot filled with soil, and ensure that good drainage is occurring. Place your seeds in your prepared pot or seed tray about a quarter inch to a half-inch under the soil surface. Cover them with soil and water with your spray bottle. Place your tray of seeds in a warm area that receives bright, indirect light. A greenhouse is the most ideal climate, but a planting tray inside a window will do as well. Germination usually takes one month from sowing. Once you begin to see seedlings sprout and they are able to be handled, transplant them to their own individual 3-inch pots, filled with the same potting medium as described in Step 1. Loosen the seedlings from the potting medium by digging down with the tines of your fork about an inch and a half, gently working the seedling up until it is out. Then, replant the seedling in its individual pot.
  5. Keep the seedling's potting medium moist, but not wet, by spraying the soil with your spray bottle. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring (after the danger of frost has passed), when you can transplant it to its new home.
Mandevilla seed pods are long, green, and look a little like Green Beans. They turn brown when mature and hold 20-50 seeds.
Mandevilla seeds are small, slender, and have fluffy white Dandelion-like attachments that assist in wind dispersal.

Problems and Pests

Mandevilla vines are susceptible to the following pest and disease issues in the garden, including:
  • Aphids
  • Spider Mites
  • Scale Insects
  • Mealybugs
  • Whitefly
  • Root Rot
  • Powdery Mildew
  • Leaf Spot
  • Fusarium Rot
  • Crown Gall
For more information on these issues, including how to solve them when they pop up, consult the following pages:
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Gallery

Mandevilla vines have a twining habit, and love to climb arches and trellises.
The bright flowers of these vines can stand out against stark white trim on buildings.
Here, two Mandevilla vines create a grand entrance for a backyard gazebo.
Here, shrubby Mandevillas are planted amongst Agapanthus and Box in a mixed bed.
There are many different flower colors available when choosing Mandevilla shrubs.
These vines can be planted in the ground or grown in containers.

Videos

Learn about these easy to grow vines.
Mandevilla can be used to create a grand entrance to homes or other buildings.

Resources

How to Grow and Care for Mandevilla Plants
Mandevilla Care in Pots: 6 Must-Know Tips
Propagating Mandevilla: Using Mandevilla Cuttings or Seeds to Propagate Mandevilla Vine
Wikipedia: Mandevilla
The New Sunset Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (2012) - Page 436, Mandevilla