Plant Care Guide

Dipladenia

Mandevilla spp.

The Dipladenia (rocktrumpet) is a heat-loving, long-blooming tropical that rewards consistent dipladenia care with nonstop red, pink, white, or coral trumpets from late spring through fall. Indoors or out, master bright light, lean watering, and a free-draining mix and your dipladenia plant care routine will feel effortless.

Watering Requirements

Keep soil lightly moist in heat, slightly drier in cool conditions—this plant resents “wet feet.”

Watering Schedule

  • Spring–Summer: Water when the top 1–2 inches are dry; soak thoroughly, then drain.
  • Fall–Winter (indoors / cool spells): Let the top 2–3 inches dry before watering again.

Signs of Overwatering

  • Yellowing leaves with consistently wet soil, bud drop, sour odor

Signs of Underwatering

  • Wilting between waterings, crisp edges, fewer buds

Pro Tips

Use a soak-and-drain rhythm and empty saucers after 10–15 minutes—core to reliable care for dipladenia plant in containers.

Light Requirements

Sun drives flowers; heat management prevents scorch.

Ideal Placement

  • Outdoors: Full sun with light afternoon shade in very hot climates (keeps foliage from burning, blooms keep coming).
  • Indoors: Bright, indirect light near a south/west window; add a grow light in winter to maintain buds.

Too Much Sun

  • Bronze or bleached patches on newest leaves in extreme afternoon sun

Too Little Light

  • Sparse flowering, long internodes, pale foliage

Pro Tips

Acclimate plants to stronger sun over 7–10 days each spring to avoid scorch while maximizing bloom power.

Soil and Potting

Fast drainage is non-negotiable.

Best Soil Mix

  • 2 parts high-quality potting mix
  • 1 part perlite or pumice
  • Optional: 10% compost for slow nutrition

Container Notes

  • Use drainage holes; size up one pot when roots circle or watering frequency spikes.
  • Outdoors in beds: amend with compost; avoid clayey, waterlogged spots.

Pro Tips

A slightly snug pot promotes more flowers; oversized containers stay wet too long.

Fertilizing

Regular, modest feeding fuels continuous buds.

Fertilizer Schedule

  • Spring–Summer: Balanced liquid feed at ½ strength every 2–4 weeks or slow-release per label.
  • Fall–Winter: Pause feeding when growth slows indoors.

Deficiency Clues

  • Pale, small leaves and stalled buds → boost light first, then resume a light feeding schedule.

Pro Tips

Every 6–8 weeks, flush pots with plain water to prevent salt buildup that browns leaf tips.

Pruning and Maintenance

Clean, compact plants bloom better.

What to Do

  • Deadhead spent trumpets to keep buds cycling.
  • Lightly tip-prune leggy stems to encourage branching.
  • Remove any yellow or damaged foliage promptly.

Pro Tips

Late-winter/early-spring shape-up: reduce lanky growth by 20–30% before the surge—results in a denser, flower-loaded canopy.

Common Problems and Solutions

Bud Drop

  • Cause: Temperature dips, low light, or overwatering
  • Fix: Stabilize warmth/light; adjust to soak-and-drain; avoid cold windows at night

Leaf Scorch

  • Cause: Abrupt exposure to intense afternoon sun
  • Fix: Provide dappled PM shade; acclimate gradually each spring

Spider Mites / Aphids (esp. on tender tips)

  • Fix: Rinse foliage; treat with insecticidal soap or neem weekly until clear; improve airflow and humidity

Chlorosis (pale leaves, green veins)

  • Cause: High-pH mix or nutrient lockout
  • Fix: Use a slightly acidic, well-drained medium; apply a chelated iron/micro feed if needed

Pro Tips

Diagnose in order: light → watering → temperature → nutrition. Most bloom or bud issues resolve once the first two are dialed.