How to Grow Mandevillas

Origin

• A member of the periwinkle family, Mandevilla was originally discovered in the hills above Rio de Janeiro. In their book "Poisoned Petals," Joyce and Jim Lavene write that the vine's popularity eliminated it from its natural habitat as it was also used to treat snakebites. Today there are close to 100 known species of this tropical and sub-tropical woody vine.

Growing

• Mandevilla does not tolerate cold temperatures. The vine is often planted in a pot, clipped at the end of the growing season and over-wintered indoors in areas where wintertime temperatures drop below 50 degrees. Others simply treat the tropical plant as an annual, letting it die and planting a new one each year. Mandevilla likes to grow in a rich but sandy soil and prefers sun to partial-shade. The vine can be allowed to trail out of a hanging pot or trained up a trellis or mailbox post. New shoots produced by the woody vine each growing season will bloom in their first year of growth. Mandevilla's roots do well at retaining water, so it is best to water when the glossy green leaves begin to turn dull.

Pests and Problems

• Mandevilla vines are impacted by many of the same pests other tropicals have problems with -- whiteflies, spider mites, mealy bugs and scale. If plants are healthy, they should weather the pests just fine. Insecticidal soap is also an effective remedy to control these pests.

Popular Varieties

• Alice du Pont is one of the most widely grown varieties of mandevilla. It can reach heights of 20 feet, but stays shorter when grown in pots. This mandevilla has the purest pink blooms 2 to 4 inches across. It grows aggressively in the heat and will need solid support. Alice du Pont is also a good selection for growing in hanging baskets. Pinch off growth tips to create dense growth. Blooms spring through fall.

  Splendens is slightly shorter, growing 10 to 15 feet. It has glossy evergreen leaves up to 8 inches in length just like Alice du Pont. Flowers are a pale pink with rose-colored eyes. Flower color eventually deepens to rose. Blooms spring through fall.

  Red Riding Hood has a shrubby growth habit and doesn't trail well, only growing 6 to 8 feet. Blossoms are red to pink in color. Blooms spring through fall.