There are many varieties of the tropical vining flowers we call the Mandevilla plant, and all are gorgeous and showy. The Mandevilla vine (rocktrumpet plant) has become popular over the past few years.
Dipladenia and Mandevilla are tropical plants with beautiful showy flowers. The blooms can be red, pink, or white, depending on the variety, and will be trumpet-shaped, reminiscent of a hibiscus. Both plants are hardy popular annuals in northern regions where they can be overwintered. Dipladenia is actually a member of the Mandevilla family. It is widely thought that Mandevilla and Dipladenia are the same plants. While they are similar, Dipladenia foliage is somewhat smaller and the plant is more shrub-like. However, both plants have the same care and growth requirements. These gorgeous vining plants have soared in popularity and can be used in mixed containers, hanging baskets, or in their own container. They are easy to grow and should flower all season long.
Unlike many flowering plants, Dipladenia or Mandevilla will tolerate some dryness and continue to flower. That said, they prefer a consistent level of moisture and you should try to keep the soil damp, but not wet. When watering, make sure to water slowly to give the soil time to soak up the moisture. When using a hose, spray the leaves too.
Dipladenia and Mandevilla will flower best in full sun—six to eight hours a day—but will tolerate part shade. One of the perks of planting them in containers is the ability to move your plants as needed. If you live in a really hot area, for instance, try moving your plant to a shady spot in mid-day to ensure the leaves don't get scorched.
Mandevilla flowers need sandy, well-draining soil with plenty of organic material mixed in. A good potting mix for Mandevilla plants would be a combination of peat moss, builder's sand, and leaf mold.
Most plants you buy at the nursery have a slow release fertilizer already in the soil. You probably won't have to worry about feeding your plant for the first few months. After that, you will need to fertilize it regularly. You can either use a diluted plant food every other week or add a slow-release fertilizer to your soil. Always follow directions on the package.
These plants require warm temperatures and high humidity. Nighttime temperatures should remain around 65 to 70 F.
Choose any type of container with enough drainage holes. Line the bottom of the pot or container with coarse gravel, broken pot shards and/or Styrofoam packing peanuts to provide better drainage.
