Mandevilla, also known as Dipladenia, Brazilian jasmine and rock trumpet, is a woody climber native to tropical Central and South America. It has gently scented, vibrant blooms and makes a fine conservatory plant in the UK.
The name ‘Mandevilla’ is derived from the surname of a British diplomat and plant enthusiast named Henry Mandeville (1773-1861). While Mandeville didn’t directly discover or introduce the plant, the botanist Charles Hamilton named the genus after him.
Mandevilla plants are evergreen, so they do not lose their leaves in winter. However, they may experience some leaf drop if exposed to cooler temperatures.
Bear in mind that mandevilla is toxic to dogs and cats, and can lead to stomach upset, nausea and vomiting if ingested.
Mandevilla is a popular tropical flowering vine grown for its showy, trumpet-shaped blooms. With large flowers in shades of pink, red, yellow and white, it’s easy to see why these vines have become a favorite for gardens and containers. The good news is propagating mandevilla is relatively simple, allowing you to multiply your plants and enjoy more of these beauties.
An Overview of Mandevilla
Mandevilla is a genus of about 120 species of tender, twining vines native to the tropics of Central and South America. These heat-loving vines can grow up to 20 feet long in ideal conditions. They produce glossy, evergreen foliage and clusters of large, brightly colored flowers from spring through fall.
The most common types grown include
- Mandevilla x amabilis – One of the most popular with bright pink flowers.
- Mandevilla sanderi – Produces deep red blooms.
- Mandevilla splendens – Bears pink or white flowers.
- Mandevilla boliviensis – Features trumpet-shaped yellow blooms.
Mandevilla makes an excellent container or hanging basket plant. It also shines when trained up a trellis or archway. In frost-free climates, it can be grown outdoors year-round. Where winters are cold it’s commonly treated as a fast-growing annual or moved indoors for overwintering.
How to Propagate Mandevilla
Propagating mandevilla is a simple process. While it can be grown from seeds, the easiest and most reliable method is taking stem cuttings. This allows you to produce genetically identical clones of your favorite plant.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to propagating mandevilla from cuttings:
Gather Cuttings
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Take 4-6 inch stem tip cuttings from healthy, established mandevilla vines. Select shoots that are new, tender growth.
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Cut just below a leaf node using clean, sharp scissors or pruners.
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Remove all but the top 2-3 leaves from each cutting.
Prepare Cuttings
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Strip off the lower leaves and dip the bare end in rooting hormone powder to encourage root growth. This is optional but helps speed up the process.
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Fill small pots with well-draining potting mix. Moisten the soil before inserting cuttings.
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Poke holes and insert the lower end of each cutting into the mix. Leave 2-3 nodes above the soil line.
Care for Cuttings
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Water lightly to settle the soil and keep it consistently moist, but not soggy wet.
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Provide bright, indirect light. Filtered sun or partial shade works well.
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Maintain warm temperatures around 70-80°F. High humidity also helps root growth.
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Cover pots with plastic bags or place in a propagation case to boost humidity levels.
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Check for rooting in 4-8 weeks. Gently tug on cuttings to test for resistance before transplanting.
Transplant Rooted Cuttings
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Once cuttings have developed a robust root system, transplant them into larger containers using fresh potting mix.
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Pinch back tips to promote bushy, full growth.
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Gradually acclimate young plants to normal conditions over 7-10 days.
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Grow them on in bright light before moving outdoors after the last frost.
With proper care, most mandevilla cuttings will readily root in 1-2 months. Taking cuttings from tip growth in spring and summer offers the best results. In cooler climates, propagate a couple months before the desired outdoor planting time.
Growing Mandevilla from Seeds
While slower and less reliable than taking cuttings, starting mandevilla from seeds is doable. Here’s a quick overview:
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Collect seed pods once they turn brown and split open.
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Soak seeds in water overnight before planting.
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Sow seeds in pots using light, well-draining soil. Cover lightly with 1/4 inch of mix.
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Maintain warm temperatures (65-75°F) and even moisture.
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Germination usually occurs in 1-2 months. Thin seedlings once they develop leaves.
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Transplant into larger containers once several true leaves emerge.
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Grow on in bright light before gradually moving outdoors after frost danger passes.
Tips for Growing Mandevilla Successfully
Follow these tips to keep your mandevilla happy and flowering beautifully:
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Site in full sun to partial shade where temperatures stay above 55°F.
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Grow in fertile, well-draining soil or potting mix. Improve drainage with perlite if needed.
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Water when the top few inches of soil become dry. Avoid soggy conditions.
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Fertilize regularly during the growing season with a balanced liquid fertilizer.
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Prune lightly after flowering to shape and encourage new blooms. Avoid heavy pruning.
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Bring indoors before temps drop below 45°F. Provide bright light for overwintering.
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Protect from drafts and prolonged direct sun exposure when growing indoors.
With the simple process covered here, you can easily propagate more of these gorgeous vines. Just take cuttings from your existing plants, root them in potting mix, and grow them on to multiply your mandevilla collection.
Caring for mandevilla[image id=”190354″ size=”landscape_thumbnail” align=”none” title=”Red mandevilla flowers” alt=”red-mandevilla-flowers-LI3492719″ classes=””] The flowers of mandevillas are usually red, pink, white or yellow
In spring and summer, water regularly and apply a monthly liquid feed in summer. Reduce watering in autumn and winter, and then increase again from spring. Mist daily in summer to increase humidity.
Pruning is essential to manage the size of mandevilla plants and promote healthy growth:
- If there is only one main shoot, trimming its length by one-third will stimulate further growth from the base – ideally, you want three to five main shoots to create a permanent framework that will make pruning easier in the long term.
- Remove overcrowded or weak shoots to maintain a compact and tidy appearance.
- From late winter to early spring, spur prune stems by cutting back side shoots to within three or four buds of the permanent framework. This will encourage the development of flowering wood. Avoid pruning in winter, as this can weaken the plant.
Mandevilla can be propagated by softwood cuttings or seed.
From cuttings:
- Take a 15cm cutting from a healthy stem and remove the lower leaves.
- Dip the cut end in rooting hormone and plant it in a moist but free-draining potting mix.
- Keep the cuttings in a lidded propagator with a bottom heat of 20-25ºC.
- Cuttings should start showing signs of growth after around a fortnight. Pinch back the new growth to create a bushier habit.
From seed:
- Soak mandevilla seeds in water for approximately 12 hours before planting.
- Sow seeds in moist, free-draining compost and cover lightly with more compost.
- Place in a lidded propagator with temperatures ranging between 18-23ºC.
- Pot seedlings into individual pots once there are are least two pairs of leaves per plant.
Mandevilla can be susceptible to pests such as aphids, mealybugs and spider mites. To deal with these pests organically, you can use insecticidal soap, following the instructions on the packaging. Signs of infestation include discoloured leaves, sticky residue and visible pests.
How to plant mandevilla
For best results, plant mandevilla direct into the greenhouse or conservatory border, adding horticultural grit to the planting hole to aid drainage if necessary. Dig a hole slightly larger than the rootball, then place the plant in the hole, ensuring that it’s at the same level it was in the original container. When you’re happy with the planting depth, backfill with the potting mix, gently firm the soil around the plant and water thoroughly.
If planting in pots, choose as large a container as you can afford and use a loam-based compost such as John Innes No.3. Add horticultural grit to aid drainage.
After planting, choose three to five stems to make a permanent framework, which you can tie to your support. You will use this framework to prune around each year.
Mandevilla – How to Propagate Step by Step – Fast Results!
FAQ
What do mandevilla seed pods look like?
- Shape: The seed pods are long and slender, resembling a bean or a pencil.
- Color: Initially, the pods are green, but they turn brown and dry as they mature.
- Size: They are about the size of a pencil, both in length and diameter.
- Seeds: Once the pods dry and split open, they reveal numerous seeds that have fluffy, white tails, similar to milkweed or dandelion seeds.
- Dehiscence: Mandevilla seed pods are dehiscent, meaning they open along a built-in line of weakness, revealing the seeds with a plumose crown of hairs for wind dispersal.
- Harvesting: You should wait until the seed pods turn brown and dry before harvesting them.
- Planting: Once harvested, you can clean the seeds and allow them to dry for a few days before planting.
How do I save my mandevilla for next year?
- Prune your mandevilla in early fall. …
- Move your plant indoors before the first frost. …
- Water your mandevilla plant carefully.
How do you propagate Mandevilla?
Learning how to propagate mandevilla is easy. Mandevilla propagation is accomplished by seed or cuttings. Propagating mandevilla from seed isn’t difficult, though it is best achieved with fresh seeds. Seedpods should be allowed to remain on the plant to dry before removing them. These can be easily recognized by their inverted v-shaped appearance.
Can Mandevilla vine be propagated from cuttings?
Mandevilla vine is very easy to propagate from cuttings. It’s best to take cuttings in the spring, but you might also be able to do it in late summer or fall. Cuttings should be made from tips or side shoots and about 3 inches (8 cm. ) long. Remove all but the top two leaves.
Do Mandevilla cuttings root in water?
No, Mandevilla cuttings will not root in water. If you’re using a cutting to propagate the plant, then you’ll need to plant it in a growing medium and keep it moist until the cutting develops roots. Otherwise, you can start it from seeds or use ground layering or air layering to propagate Mandevilla.
Can Mandevilla grow outside?
Mandevilla vine is known for its showy blooms. This tropical vine is usually kept inside, especially in cooler areas, where it is grown in pots or hanging baskets. In southern climates, it can be set outdoors in spring but returned inside prior to winter. Learning how to propagate mandevilla is easy.
How do you root a Mandevilla plant?
Take a 6-inch cutting from the stem of a healthy Mandevilla plant. Remove the leaves from the bottom half of the cutting. Dip the cutting in rooting hormone. Insert the cutting into a pot filled with moist potting soil. Place the pot in a warm, sunny location. Keep the soil moist but not wet. The cutting will root in about 4-6 weeks.
How long does a Mandevilla plant take to grow?
The cutting will root in about 4-6 weeks. Once the cutting has rooted, you can transplant it into a larger pot. Mandevilla plants can be propagated by stem cuttings, root cuttings, air layering, or grafting.