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Tropical plants have a special place in my heart. My gardening zone is not at all sultry, warm and humid, but it doesnt stop me from purchasing a bougainvillea or other tropical plant for outdoor use. The plants thrive in summer but have to be moved indoors in the cooler season. Dipladenia, a favorite, is a South American native that grows in tropical forests.
The plant is similar to mandevilla vine and works outside in warm zones, or indoors as an accent houseplant. We will discuss the difference between dipladenia and mandevilla so you can decide which of these amazing flowering vines is the best option for your garden.
Dipladenia is in the Mandevilla family but has a decidedly different growth pattern. Mandevilla vines climb up vertical structures to seek the canopy light. Dipladenia is a bushier plant whose stems grow down and hang.
The two plants have similar brightly colored flowers, but mandevilla has a larger flower typically in red. Both plants need the same bright light and dipladenia care is the same as that for the mandevilla vine. When deciding between a mandevilla or dipladenia, the finer leaves and smaller flowers in a wide range of colors may win the day for the dipladenia.
Dipladenia has a fuller shape than the mandevilla. A major difference between dipladenia and mandevilla is the foliage. Dipladenia leaves are fine and pointed, deeply green and slightly glossy. Mandevilla vine has larger leaves with a broader shape. The flowers are trumpet shaped and full in hues of pink, white, yellow and red.
The plants respond well to pinching as they grow, which forces out new bushier growth. Unlike the mandevilla, dipladenia doesnt send out as much upward growth and doesnt need staking. One of the better dipladenia facts is its ability to attract hummingbirds and bees. The tubular flowers are a vibrant signal to pollinators as ample suppliers of nectar.
Dipladenia and mandevilla are two popular ornamental plants known for their beautiful and bright flowers. While they share similarities, there are distinct differences between the two. This article will explore what makes dipladenia and mandevilla unique to help you determine if they are the same plant.
Overview
Dipladenia and mandevilla belong to the same plant family Apocynaceae Dipladenia was previously classified under the mandevilla genus but was later reclassified into its own genus. This causes confusion as many nurseries and gardeners still use the two names interchangeably.
Both are native to tropical regions of South America They produce showy trumpet-shaped flowers that attract hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees While related, dipladenia and mandevilla have noticeable differences in their appearance, ideal growing conditions, and care requirements.
Key Differences
Here are the main differences between dipladenia and mandevilla:
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Growth habit: Dipladenia has a bushy, spreading growth habit with dangling stems. Mandevilla is a vining plant that climbs vertically.
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Leaf shape: Dipladenia has smooth, glossy oval leaves. Mandevilla has elongated heart-shaped leaves that are lightly textured.
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Flower size: Flowers of dipladenia are generally smaller, around 2-3 inches wide. Mandevilla produces larger blooms around 3-4 inches wide.
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Flower colors: Dipladenia flowers come in white, pink, red, and yellow. Red and pink shades are more common in mandevilla.
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Hardiness: Dipladenia is slightly more cold hardy, tolerating temps down to 40°F. Mandevilla prefers temps above 50°F.
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Mature size: Dipladenia grows 2-3 feet tall and wide. Mandevilla can reach up to 20 feet as a climbing vine.
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Sun exposure: Dipladenia thrives in full sun. Mandevilla can tolerate partial shade but does best with plenty of sunlight.
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Soil: Both require well-drained soil but dipladenia is more tolerant of different soil types.
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Uses: Dipladenia is ideal for containers and smaller garden beds. Mandevilla is well-suited for training up arbors, trellises, and other structures.
Origins and Taxonomy
The history and taxonomy of dipladenia and mandevilla is intertwined. Here’s an overview:
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Mandevilla was first discovered in the early 19th century by Sir Henry Mandeville, a British diplomat working in Argentina.
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The name “dipladenia” arose as a synonym for certain species within the mandevilla genus.
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In 1933, dipladenia was officially reclassified into its own distinct genus separate from mandevilla.
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Despite the reclassification, the two names are still commonly interchanged in the horticulture trade.
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There are around 120 species in the mandevilla genus and 8 species in the dipladenia genus currently recognized.
Growing Conditions
When cultivating dipladenia and mandevilla, it’s important to provide the proper growing conditions:
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Sunlight: Both require full sun exposure for at least 6 hours per day. Dipladenia can tolerate partial shade while mandevilla may struggle.
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Soil: They thrive in loose, well-draining soil high in organic matter. Regular potting mix amended with compost works well.
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Water: 1-2 inches of water per week is needed during the growing season. Allow the top inch of soil to dry out between waterings.
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Temperature: Ideal temps are above 70°F during the day and above 60°F at night once established. Protect from frost.
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Humidity: Average humidity is fine, but very low humidity can cause leaf browning on the edges.
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Hardiness: Dipladenia survives down to zone 10. Mandevilla is only hardy in zones 10-11 and will need overwintering indoors in cooler climates.
Care and Maintenance
Caring for dipladenia and mandevilla properly ensures continual flowering and strong growth:
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Fertilize every 2-4 weeks during spring and summer with a balanced liquid fertilizer.
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Prune back any dead, damaged, or unsightly growth as needed to shape the plant.
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Provide sturdy trellises, arbors, fences or cages to support mandevilla’s climbing growth habit.
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Repot in early spring as the plants outgrow their containers. Use fresh potting mix.
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Bring potted plants indoors before first frost. Cut back and store dormant plants in a cool, dark location over winter.
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Propagate new plants from tip cuttings taken in early summer. Remove lower leaves and place cuttings in water or potting mix to root.
Common Pests and Diseases
Dipladenia and mandevilla are susceptible to some of the same pests and diseases:
- Mealybugs
- Aphids
- Spider mites
- Whiteflies
- Botrytis – causes gray mold on flowers and foliage
- Powdery mildew
- Root rot – usually caused by overwatering
Inspect plants frequently and use neem oil, insecticidal soap or horticultural oils to treat infestations. Improve air circulation and reduce watering to prevent disease issues.
Uses in the Landscape
The trailing habit of dipladenia makes it ideal for hanging baskets, window boxes, and container gardens. Plant in borders and beds for vivid color.
Mandevilla’s vining nature allows it to cover walls, arbors, pergolas, and large fences when trained up properly. Use as a privacy screen.
Attract butterflies, hummingbirds, and pollinators by incorporating either plant into cottage gardens, tropical gardens, and other informal planting beds.
Should You Choose Dipladenia or Mandevilla?
When selecting between dipladenia and mandevilla, consider your specific gardening needs:
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If you want a cascading, mounded plant for containers, go with dipladenia.
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For a vigorous climbing vine to train vertically, mandevilla is the better choice.
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Dipladenia works well in smaller spaces like patios and balconies. Mandevilla needs ample room to grow.
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Those in cooler climates will have better success overwintering dipladenia.
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Both options add vibrant, non-stop flowers ideal for summer gardening.
Either dipladenia or mandevilla can help you achieve the look you want. With proper care, both will provide stunning floral displays to any garden setting.
Growing a Dipladenia Plant
This plant requires warm temperatures for best performance. Nighttime temperatures should remain around 65 to 70 F. (18-21 C). Water the plant frequently in the summer but let the top few inches of the soil dry out before watering anew.
What’s the Difference between Mandevilla and Dipladenia? All Will be Clear!
FAQ
What is the difference between mandevilla and Dipladenia?
Mandevilla are fairly aggressive vines, growing rapidly up any support or trellis nearby. Dipladenia possess a smaller, bushy habit that produces a shorter trailing effect. They make excellent hummingbird attractants, and awesome “thrillers” in a mixed annual container as they twine up and down their support.
Does a Dipladenia need a trellis?
Dipladenia typically does not require a trellis because it has a shrubby growth habit. Do hummingbirds prefer dipladenia or mandevilla?Apr 25, 2025
What is another name for Dipladenia?
Dipladenia is another name for mandevilla. This tropical vine is a surefire favorite for providing lots of summer color: It shows off a steady supply of bright red, pink, or white trumpet-shaped flowers all summer and into autumn.
What is the difference between alamanda and Dipladenia?
Allamanda is a vining plant producing yellow, pink or red flowers. Dipladenia is really Mandevilla sanderii. It has very little vining habit – it’s more like a spreading bush.
What is the difference between Dipladenia & Mandevilla?
Dipladenia and mandevilla are often confused with each other because the shape and colors of the flowers on both plants are similar. Nevertheless, there are distinguishing differences between these two tropical plants — how each grows, their foliage and even their flowers will define the specific plant you are growing.
Are mandevilla and Dipladenia poisonous?
Mandevilla and Dipladenia are in the Apocynaceae family. This family includes plants like Allamanda, Nerium oleander (oleander), and Plumeria. All these plants have a milky sap that can be poisonous if ingested. Dipladenia is in the Mandevilla genus, while Mandevilla is in the Mandevilla genus. There are about 100 species of Mandevilla.
What is a Dipladenia plant?
Dipladenia is a genus of tropical South American flowering plants with large multicolored racemose flowers. It belongs to the Mandevilla family but has a different growth pattern; Dipladenia grows like a bush, and its stem grows downwards, but we can also grow these plants vertically. It also has a fuller shape than Mandevilla.
Do dipladenias have pink flowers?
Originally, dipladenias produced flowers that were light pink; today, there are more than 100 dipladenia species that produce red, white, yellow and pink blooms. Mandevilla flowers generally come in shades of red (although it is possible to find mandevilla plants that produce pink, yellow and white blooms).
What does a Mandevilla plant look like?
Mandevilla vine has larger leaves with a broader shape. The flowers are trumpet shaped and full in hues of pink, white, yellow and red. The plants respond well to pinching as they grow, which forces out new bushier growth. Unlike the mandevilla, dipladenia doesn’t send out as much upward growth and doesn’t need staking.
Are Dipladenia flowers the same as a vine?
Both plants’ flowers are similar, but dipladenia blooms are often smaller—plus, this iteration changes all the time, thanks, in part, to its popularity: Growers are regularly introducing new varieties, some of which include new bloom colors, larger blooms, denser foliage, or types that act more like a vine. Dipladenia thrive in warm environments.