Mandevilla Sanderi (mandevilla)

Mandevilla Sanderi

The mandevilla, also called the Dipladenia Mandevilla, grows on the stems that it has developed in the same year. It is a climber and can grow to as high as 4.5 metres if given the chance. The plant is in bloom the whole summer. If you like, you can prune it back once flowering has finished. The mandevilla can be planted in the ground in warm regions. However, it is generally recommended to plant it in a pot, tub, or container as it can be sensitive to frost. Be careful with small children and pets as the sap of the plant is toxic.

Where does the Mandevilla Sanderi originate from?

The mandevilla originally comes from the Southwestern United States, Mexico, Central America, and South America, where it grows at high altitude. That is why it does not have to stand in the sun the whole day here in the Netherlands. It also does very well in partial shade. The mandevilla has been cultivated since the mid-18th century. The plant was named after the botanist Henry Mandeville.

Why choose a mandevilla?

• The Mandevilla Sanderi is a stunning plant to look at and is a real eye-catcher in your garden.
• It blooms profusely with beautiful flowers for a long time. You can choose from several colours.
• The Mandevilla Sanderi adds a tropical flair to your garden, patio, or balcony.
• It requires minimum maintenance and care.
• The plant does not necessarily have to be pruned.

When is the best time to plant a mandevilla?

You can plant the Mandevilla Sanderi at any time. It is not winter hardy and will need to be placed in a sheltered spot in winter.

How should I plant a Mandevilla Sanderi?

In a pot, tub, or container

• Find a lovely spot for your mandevilla in your garden, or on your patio or balcony.
• Choose a large pot, tub, or container so that the plant and its roots have enough space to grow. You could place bubble wrap around the inside for insulation. And make a few holes in the bottom of the pot or container.
• Place a layer of hydrograins in the ornamental pot. Then fill up with special Mediterranean potting compost.
• Remove the Mandevilla Sanderi from the plastic pot and submerge the root ball in water and then place it in the soil.
• Make sure that the top of the root ball is level with the ground.
• Fill up with the potting soil for patio plants and Mediterranean plants and pack down the soil.
• Give the Mandevilla Sanderi plenty of water for the initial period, especially if there is not much rainfall. This will ensure that the roots take hold in the soil. Make sure that the excess water can drain away through holes in the bottom of the pot, tub, or container.

Tips

When the weather is frosty, place the plant in a light, sheltered spot. This spot should also be slightly heated but it should not be too warm. No more than around 10 degrees Celsius.
If you move the mandevilla or Mandevilla Sanderi to a different spot, take into account any changes in temperature. Let the plant gradually get used to the new temperature if you’re moving it from a colder to a warmer place. And also when moving it from a warm, sheltered place to outdoors.

Positioning

• The mandevilla is an ideal patio plant in summer. However, it really does not like cold nights so wait until mid-May to place it outside.
• Place it outside in partial shade. It does not necessarily have to be in the full sun the whole time.
• If you let it spend the winter in a sheltered place, place it near a window in direct sunlight as this is what it likes. However, do not place it in a draught or near an open window.
• Place the plant in slightly moist soil with good drainage. Water it regularly.

Advice & Care

Watering
In the summer months, you will need to give the mandevilla water almost every day if it is in a sunny spot. It is important not to give it too much water as the root ball could become too wet and the roots could start rotting.
Make sure that the excess water can drain away. Make holes in the bottom of the pot, tub, or container.
In the autumn and winter, the plant does not need much water at all. Reduce watering to around once a week. It is important that the root ball does not dry out.

Pruning
The Mandevilla Sanderi flowers on young stems that have developed in the same year. If you want to enjoy the plant again next year, it is best to cut off the stems to around 30 cm. Then gradually give it less and less water. In the winter, you only need to give it a very small amount of water. The plant can spend the winter in a sheltered spot at a temperature of around 7°C . It survives because of its thickened roots which it uses for storing food reserves. From March onwards, you can increase the temperature slightly and trim the shoots to around 5 cm. The mandevilla will reward you again with an abundance of flowers.

Fertilizer
The mandevilla needs extra plant food in spring so that it can keep flowering profusely for a long time. Give it liquid fertilizer. In the winter, it does not need any fertilizer at all.

Common problems with the Mandevilla Sanderi

Too much water
If your mandevilla displays yellow or brown leaves at the bottom or the leaves start falling out, there is a good possibility that you have given the plant too much water. If the roots are brown, this confirms that the soil is too moist. Your mandevilla does not like getting its feet wet. To remedy this problem, make holes in the bottom of the pot. It’s not a good idea to place a dish underneath the pot as the water will not be able to drain away properly. You could also choose to scatter hydro grains in the pot.

Not enough sunlight
If you see any yellow leaves in the centre of the mandevilla plant, this is usually a sign that it is not getting enough sunlight. Your plant is no longer using these leaves for photosynthesis. In this section, the leaves usually remain moist for longer, which is a good reason for the plant to drop these leaves. But there is no cause for panic. Remove the fallen leaves so that they can no longer become mouldy on the soil. The whole plant usually turns more yellow in the autumn when there is less sunlight and the weather becomes more humid. This is the ideal time to move your Mandevilla Sanderi to a sheltered spot for the winter.

Not enough nutrients
If your mandevilla is displaying a few yellow leaves at the bottom, there is no reason to panic. If it gets worse, however, you can give it some liquid fertilizer. The plant is able to resolve problems itself. If it does not get enough nutrients, it will drop its bottom leaves. It will want to keep its top leaves at all costs and develop them further. This is the plant’s way of staying healthy.

Leaf fall due to diseases and infestations
The Mandevilla Sanderi hardly ever suffers from leaf fall due to disease. In some cases, fungi and bacteria can cause branches to die off. You will notice this if branches turn brown and become withered. Remove these branches as soon as possible. If you don’t, there is a good possibility that other branches will also be affected.

Advantages and disadvantages of the mandevilla

Advantages

• The plant prefers Mediterranean potting soil.
• The Mandevilla Sanderi is easy to look after.
• You do not necessarily have to prune the plant.
• It has a very long flowering period, which lasts from the start of summer until late in the autumn.
• The plant is hardly affected by diseases or infestations.

Disadvantages

• The plant cannot tolerate draughts.
• The plant is not very tolerant of frost.
• It does not like standing in soil that is too wet. The roots may start to rot.
• The plant originates from warm regions, so the tub or container needs to be placed in a warm, sheltered spot in winter. You will need to move the plant twice a year which could be a heavy job.

Conclusion

If you want a stunning plant with brightly coloured flowers that is easy to care for in your garden, then the mandevilla or Mandevilla Sanderi is the perfect buy for you. Order this plant today. It will delight you with its appearance and its fabulous flowers. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask us. We can speak to you in your own language.