‘Mandevilla is my favourite garden plant and I hope it’s yours, too – or will be soon. Whether you’re new to Mandevillas or you’re a long-time fan, in this blog I share my top tips for caring for your Mandevilla. Despite being low-maintenance, there are a few things you can do to make your Mandevilla feel at home in your garden.’ –
Tim, cultivation specialist at Mandevillashop.com
PS: I use the term ‘Mandevilla’ but the plant is also referred to as ‘Dipladenia’. The difference? Nothing at all, it’s the same plant!
After ordering your favourite Mandevilla from our webshop, unpack the plant and put it outside so it can settle in and recover from its journey. If the temperature is below freezing, keep the plant indoors. The sun is a vital source of energy for your plant, especially now. Check to make sure the soil is damp. If not, give your Mandevilla some water. Some of the flowers may have gotten damaged during delivery and could fall off over the next few days. Not to worry! Our Mandevillas are full of flower buds and you’ll see new flowers appear every day. Hence our flowering guarantee.
Find the perfect spot for your Mandevilla in your garden or on your balcony. Just remember: Mandevillas love sunshine! A sunny spot will help it grow, bloom, and thrive. Your Mandevilla doesn’t need to be in the full sun all the time; a spot with partial shade is fine, too. Just don’t pick an overly shady spot. This will stop your plant from producing new flower buds, which would be a shame!
We recommend taking your Mandevilla out of the planting pot and moving them to a flower pot or planter. This is called repotting. Fun fact: Mandevillas grow equally fast above and below ground. If the roots don’t have room to grow, the plant will stop growing as well. Use our handy planter configuration tool to determine how much soil or hydrogranules you need!
You can repot your Mandevilla whenever you like. We’ve made it easy for you by infusing our special Mandevilla potting with long-lasting granular fertiliser. No need to fertilise your plants! When you order this potting soil from our webshop, you’ll get a 3-month blooming guarantee. So, how do you repot your plants? It’s not uncommon for the plants to be a bit stuck in the pot. Turn it upside down and gently squeeze the pot to loosen the plant. Never pull on the plant, as this might damage the roots. Water the plant immediately after repotting to help mix the old and new soil. You can also add a fertiliser cone for better growth and more abundant flowers.
Mandevilla are drought-tolerant plants, which is one of the reasons it’s so easy to care for. We regularly hear from customers that all their balcony plants died while they were on holiday – except their Mandevilla. This doesn’t mean you can neglect your Mandevilla, but feel free to water them less often that your other plants. Mandevilla like to be watered once a week (if it hasn’t rained). During long hot spells, water the roots and soil every other day. We strongly recommend using a planter with drainage holes to allow excess water to run off (e.g. after heavy rainfall). If your pot does not have drainage holes, add a thick layer of hydrogranules (link) to the bottom. This will absorb excess water and release it back to the plant slowly. We always recommend adding a thin layer of hydrogranules (about 20%) to the pot. This is easier for you and better for the plant.
Is your Mandevilla developing yellow leaves? This is often caused by waterlogged roots. Find out what to do in this article.
Mandevilla can start to climb depending on where it’s planted. In the sun, the plant will develop more flowers. When planted in a cooler, shadier spot, it will grow more and create vines. You can influence this process. To find out how, read our article about growing and climbing. We also sell a climbing set to help your Mandevilla grow.
Mandevillas aren’t highly sensitive to insects and pests. However, you could experience an aphid infestation. The most environmentally friendly solution is to cut off the branches with aphids and throw them away. You can also use an organic pesticide. Does your Mandevilla have a pest problem? Read our article with tips!
These were the most important steps in caring for your Mandevilla/Dipladenia. We wish you happy gardening!
