© RHS/Tim Sandall

Introducing...

Mandevilla

Botanical name: Mandevilla

With exotic blooms and lush, glossy leaves, this tender, vigorous climber makes a striking feature in a large bright room or conservatory. It will also bring tropical flair to a warm patio during summer, but must be brought indoors by autumn.

Looks

This vigorous climber can reach 3m (10ft) tall or more, with twining stems clad in glossy evergreen leaves. In summer, it produces an exotic display of large trumpet flowers. Depending on the species, these may be red, pink, white, cream or yellow. Newer cultivars have been bred to be more compact.

Likes

Originating in tropical climes, this tender climber needs plenty of warmth (at least 21°C/70°F), humidity and bright light, as well as generous watering and feeding from spring to autumn. During winter, it likes drier conditions and slightly cooler temperatures of 10–15ºC (50–60ºF).

Dislikes

Avoid low temperatures – if kept below 21ºC (70ºF) in spring and summer, mandevillas may fail to flower, while winter temperatures below 10ºC (50ºF) may cause their demise. They dislike shade, dry conditions in summer, and overwatering in winter.

Did you know?

Four mandevillas have an RHS Award of Garden Merit, which means our experts recommend them as excellent performers. They are: white-flowered Mandevilla boliviensis, pink M. splendens and M. × amabilis ‘Alice du Pont’, and fragrant M. laxa.

Growing guide

Mandevilla we recommend

Useful advice

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Humidity for houseplants

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Warm conservatory and greenhouse plants

Warm conservatory and greenhouse plants

Get involved

The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.