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Mandevilla sanderi

pink mandevilla

Apocynaceae Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil

Attracts Pollinators Attracts Butterflies Attracts Hummingbirds Deer Resistant Container Friendly

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

Watermoderate

HardinessZones 10–11

Overview

Mandevilla sanderi is a twining tropical vine, climbing 60–120 inches (150–300 cm) on a support. Pink funnel-shaped flowers 3–4 inches (7–10 cm) with a yellow throat, produced continuously from late spring through frost. The vine twines around supports (trellises, obelisks, arbors, mailbox posts) — it does not have aerial roots or tendrils, so the support must be narrow enough for the stem to wrap around (wire, string, slim stakes). Dark green glossy ovate leaves 3–6 inches (7–15 cm). In the dogbane family (Apocynaceae spp.) — all parts exude a milky white latex when cut. The latex and all plant parts are toxic to dogs, cats, and humans (cardiac glycosides). In cold zones (below zone 10), grown as a seasonal annual or overwintered indoors: cut back to 12 inches (30 cm) in fall, move to a cool bright location (50–60°F / 10–16°C), reduce watering, and resume growth in spring. Native to Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil. Full sun (6+ hours) for heavy flowering — shade reduces bloom production. Well-draining soil. Spider mites in dry conditions. Mealybugs and whitefly. Deer-resistant. Hummingbird-visited. Growth rate is fast in warm conditions. Containers of 3–5 gallons (12–20 liters). Frost-tender — foliage blackens at 32°F (0°C). Zones 10–11 outdoors year-round.

Native Range

Native to Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil, growing in tropical and subtropical forests.

Suggested Uses

Grown on trellises, obelisks, and arbors in containers of 3–5 gallons (12–20 liters) or in the ground in zones 10–11. Full sun. Continuous bloom from late spring to frost. Overwinter indoors in cold zones. All parts toxic. Deer-resistant. Hummingbird-visited.

How to Identify

Identified by pink funnel-shaped flowers with yellow throats on a twining vine with dark green glossy ovate leaves. The milky white latex (dogbane family trait) and the twining habit (no aerial roots or tendrils) are the genus identifiers. The pink flower color with yellow throat is the species trait.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height5' - 10'

Width/Spread2' - 4'

Reaches mature size in approximately 2 years

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~20 weeks

Spring Summer Fall

Pink funnel-shaped flowers continuously from late spring through frost (May–October), 18–20 weeks. Each flower lasts 3–5 days; new flowers produced continuously. Full sun for heavy flowering.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Pink, funnel-shaped with yellow throat

Foliage Description

Dark green, glossy, ovate

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

Requires 6-10 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 7.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam sand

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

moderate

Frost Tolerance

tender

Time to Maturity

1-2 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Full sun (6+ hours) for heavy flowering. Well-draining soil. Frost-tender — overwinter indoors in cold zones (cut back, cool bright location, reduce water). Twining vine — provide narrow support. Milky latex; all parts toxic (cardiac glycosides). Spider mites, mealybugs, whitefly. Deer-resistant. Hummingbird-visited. Zones 10–11.

Pruning

Prune in early spring before new growth. Cut back to 12 inches (30 cm) for overwintering. In spring, remove dead or weak stems. The vine flowers on new growth — pruning promotes branching and more flowers.

Pruning Schedule

spring

Container Growing

✓ Suitable for container growing

Minimum container size: 3 gallons

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Toxic to pets and humans