Mandevilla care in pots is a little different than growing these gorgeous summer-blooming plants in the ground.
Select a large container.
Mandevillas often come in plain black nursery pots.
Credit:Bob Stefko
They might be potbound and need a new home for more than aesthetic reasons.
Whenchoosing a new container, consider the mature size of your mandevilla variety.
A large plant needs a large pot; leaving your mandevilla in a small container stifles it.
Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
Larger pots also have more mass, saving tall climbing mandevillas from tipping over in a gust of wind.
Ensure the pot has good drainage.
Without adequate drainage, mandevillas aresusceptible to root rotand other diseases.
Many store-purchased plastic pots have pre-formed drainage holes molded into the bottom, but they must be punched out.
check that your mandevilla will have good drainage one way or another.
Use slightly sandy potting soil.
Mandevillas need rich, well-drained soil that is a bit sandy.
Including the sand provides better drainage, and the humus in the compost holds nutrients and provides moisture control.
Water and fertilize regularly.
Mandevillas like moist soil, but it shouldnt be soggy or consistently wet.
A thorough watering once or twice a week as needed is better than daily shallow applications.
Better Homes & Gardens
5.
Give mandevillas something to climb.
Mandevilla varieties with a vining growth habit need something to climb.
Ensure the structure is well-anchored to resist toppling in strong wind.
Plant in full or part sun.
Mandevillas grown outside in containers perform andflower best in full sunfor most locations.
Six hours or more per day is sufficient.
Dont be dismayed if your location is only partly sunny.
