Mandevilla sanderi, the Brazilian jasmine
Mandevilla sanderi
- Exposures
- Sun, Half-shade
- Hardiness (USDA)
- 10b (1.7°C ≤ T° < 4.4°C)
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Family
- Apocynaceae
- Genus
- Mandevilla
- Species
- Dipladenia sanderi Mandevilla sanderi
Other name:Dipladenia sanderi
A greenhouse star in Victorian times, Mandevilla sanderi continues to seduce today's gardeners. It can be found on balconies, terraces and sunny gardens alike. Its secret? Colorful, uninterrupted flowering, from spring through to the first cool autumn days.
How to recognize Mandevilla sanderi (Dipladenia)?
Mandevilla sanderi is a climbing or bushy plant. It reaches heights of up to three meters when trellised.
The voluble stems, woody at the base, wrap easily around a trellis, pergola or support.
Thick, glossy, dark-green leaves measure up to six centimetres long. Oval to elliptical in shape, they are leathery and evergreen.
Flowering extends from spring to mid-autumn, as with mandevilla boliviensis. The trumpet-shaped flowers, composed of five petals, appear in clusters at the end of the stems. The botanical species produces mainly pink or red flowers, but there are many cultivars and hybrids with white, yellow or two-tone colors.
After flowering, the plant forms a dry fruit with two long follicles, characteristic of the Apocynaceae family.
Is Mandevilla sanderi toxic?
Mandevilla sanderi is toxic. The whole plant, particularly the tuberous roots, contains an irritating white latex. It can cause :
- Digestive disordersif swallowed;
- Irritationon contact with skin or mucous membranes.
We therefore recommend wearing gloves when pruning, and keeping the plant out of the reach of children and pets.
Our care tips
Mandevilla sanderi are cold-weather plants. Grow them in pots so you can bring them inside when it's cold.
You can also plant them in the ground and treat them as annuals: in this case, you'll need to renew them every year.
Watering
Water your plant generously during the growing season.
Allow the rootball to dry out to one centimeter between waterings. Water generously with non-calcareous water (rainwater, for example) at room temperature.
Drain off any excess water left in the dish or planter. It can rot the roots.
Reduce watering during dormancy.
Water your Dipladenia sanderi when the soil has dried deeply. Use water at room temperature to avoid damaging the roots. If you can, use rainwater or non-calcareous water.
Never leave water standing in the saucer or planter, as this will rot the roots.
Misting
In our homes, heating dries out the air. To remedy this, mist the foliage of your Mandevilla sanderi with soft water at room temperature.
Repotting
Place a drainage layer (clay balls, gravel) at the bottom of a pierced pot.
Pour in a bed of potting soil for flowering plants or geraniums. You can add perlite or sand to lighten it. If you want your plant to climb, install your stake.
Plant your Mandevilla sanderi and add substrate. Stop a few centimetres before the edge to form a watering trough.
Water at room temperature to encourage rooting.
Fertilization
To promote the growth of your Mandevilla sanderi, apply fertilizer in spring and summer.
Apply a flowering plant or geranium fertilizer to encourage flowering.
Prune
You can remove wilted flowers as they appear.
Cut back the stems to three or four nodes so that your Mandevilla sanderi branches out. This will also encourage flowering.
Caution: the plant is toxic! Wear gloves and rinse your shears after pruning!
Planting
When the risk of frost has passed, it's time to plant.
Leave your Mandevilla sanderi root ball to soak.
Dig a hole three times the size of the root ball. If you're planting several specimens, space them 20 to 30 centimetres apart. You can use stakes if you wish to grow your Mandevilla sanderi as a climbing plant.
Plant your Mandevilla sanderi. Fill in the hole with garden soil enriched with a little compost and water.
Taking cuttings
Cutting is carried out during the strong growth phase, generally in spring and early summer.
Select a healthy stem at the top. Using clean, sharp pruning shears, remove a section about 15 centimetres long, without flowers and with several nodes.
Remove the leaves at the base. Keep only the top pair.
The plant is toxic. Wear gloves and clean tools after use.
Prepare a pierced pot adapted to the size of your cutting. Fill it with a rich, well-drained substrate. You can use potting soil for seedlings and plantations, for example.
Make a pilot hole with a pencil or pick. Plant your Dipladenia sanderi. Water to encourage rooting.
Cuttings are more likely to succeed when smothered. Place your pot in a mini-greenhouse or translucent plastic bag. You can also use a pre-cut bottle.
Mist the substrate regularly to keep it moist, and aerate your cutting for a few minutes each day to prevent rotting.
Remove the cover when the first leaves appear.
Remove the cover when the first leaves appear.
Frequently asked questions
Will Mandevilla flower again the following year?
Yes, Mandevilla is a perennial plant. It will flower again in the following yearif properly stored over winter. On the other hand, if it freezes or stays too long in the cold, it dies and doesn't grow again.
What's the difference between Dipladenia and Mandevilla?
None of the above! Two synonyms for the same botanical genus. The same applies to varieties. Dipladenia sanderi is a synonym for Mandevilla sanderi. Today, the name Mandevilla is preferred and considered the only botanically accurate one.
Can Mandevilla overwinter outdoors?
Mandevilla can spend the winter outdoors if the mercury doesn't fall below 10°C. Below that, the plant suffers and dies if the temperature falls below zero. You need to bring your plant into a bright, frost-free room as soon as the cold sets in.
Diseases / Threats
Information
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Exposures
- SunHalf-shade
- Substrate
- Humus soil
- Planting methods
- Open groundIn potsIn tubs
- Tags
- FloweryCold-sensitiveToxic
- Origin
- South America
- Hardiness (USDA)
- 10b (1.7°C ≤ T° < 4.4°C)
- Leaf color
- Dark green
- Flower colors
- WhiteRedRoseYellow
Discover plants from the same family
Dipladenia splendens
Mandevilla splendens
Mandevilla amabilis
Mandevilla × amabilis
Find out more
Find all our tips in the Monstera application
