How Can I Save My Mandevilla Over The Winter In…
Alexandra Asked
How can I save my mandevilla over the winter in the Carolinas ? I do not have enough light in my house so I was wondering how we can have the plants go dormant over the winter. I know they have tubers; can I let them dry out and place them in peatmoss like bulbs? If so how do I do this?
The Gardener’s Answer
Hi Alexandra: Mandevilla is a tropical vine that will not survive temperatures colder than 50 degrees Fahrenheit. This vine can be over-wintered indoors ideally in a south-facing window or any space that receives bright light, but it does not sound like this is an option for you. The next best option is to cut the plant back to about half of its size and let it over-winter in any space that does not dip below 60 degrees F. The foliage will drop and you will only want to water when the soil is dry to the touch, a couple of inches below the surface. Less is better in terms of moisture but the idea is to keep it alive so you can take it back outside next spring. Tubers on the roots of this plant do not produce new plants so they cannot be stored in the same way as other tubers/bulbs. When warm temperatures return you can take your mandevilla outside and give it a dose of your favorite fertilizer. As long as the roots survive it will put on new growth next growing season.
