Why Does My Mandevilla Plant Not Bloom?

The mandevilla is a beautiful vine with large, trumpet shaped flowers that are enhanced by large, glossy puckered leaves To keep your mandevilla blooming there are a few requirements.

Lighting

Full sunlight and warmth are necessary to help the plant bloom. However, during extended hot spells the plant will need to be watered daily or, if potted, moved into a shady area.

Fertilizer

During the growing season your mandevilla will require a high phosphorous (10-20-10) fertilizer every two weeks to encourage blooming. All leaves and no flowers indicate a high nitrogen content

Watering

The mandevilla should be planted in a well-draining soil. Allow the soil to dry out before watering. The plant is sensitive to over watering.

Soil

Besides the need for well draining soil, the mandevilla needs enough soil. If planted in a container it should have at least 8 to 12 inches of soil. It does not need to be root bound to bloom.

Temperature

A sun lover, a mandevilla likes it warm and mildly humid. It is a tropical plant. If the temperatures drop below 65 degrees for any period of time, blooming will stop.

Kind Of Plant Is Mandevilla?

Mandevilla is named for Henry Mandeville, a British diplomat and plant explorer who discovered it while serving in Argentina in the early 1800s. The dark green, leathery leaves of mandevilla can reach 8 inches long and 3 inches wide. Mandevilla belongs to the dogbane (Apocynaceae) botanical family, which also includes periwinkle vine (Vinca spp. ), A site in part shade is best for this tropical vine. It needs rich, humusy, well-drained soil and regular watering. It is a heavy feeder and should be fertilized every two weeks with a 10-20-10 or 20-20-20 formula. Cultivars of Mandevilla laxa include “Summer Snow,” which is white, and “Red Riding Hood” and “Scarlet,” which are red. Mandevilla boliviensis is another non-hardy variety grown indoors.