Mandevilla is a beautiful, prolific flowering vine that thrives in hot weather. When it’s not exposed to cold weather, it grows quickly and can get as long as 20 feet (6 m). ) in length. If you don’t take care of it, though, it can start to look messy and not flower as much as it could. This is why pruning mandevilla vines at least once per year is recommended. Keep reading to learn more about how to cut back a mandevilla vine effectively.
With its glossy leaves and stunning, trumpet-shaped blooms, mandevilla makes a gorgeous addition to gardens and patios. But in colder climates, this tropical vine must be overwintered indoors to survive. Proper pruning is an important part of successfully transitioning your mandevilla from growing outdoors in summer to a dormant state for winter.
Follow this step-by-step guide to learn when and how to prune back your mandevilla plant for winter storage With the right technique, you’ll set your plant up for vigorous regrowth and abundant flowering come springtime
When to Prune Mandevilla for Winter
Timing is key when pruning mandevilla vines before winter. You’ll want to cut back the plant once it has gone dormant in late fall or early winter. Pruning too early while the plant is still actively growing can shock it.
Some good times to prune are:
- In November or December after the plant has been moved indoors
- After the leaves have dropped in late fall
- Once nighttime temps are consistently below 55°F outdoor
Gather Needed Supplies
Before pruning, make sure you have these supplies on hand:
- Sharp, clean pruning shears or garden scissors
- Spray bottle of rubbing alcohol to disinfect tools
- Heavy gloves to protect your hands
- Large garbage bag for plant debris
Disinfecting tools between cuts helps prevent the spread of disease. And gloves can shield your hands from the milky, sticky sap that mandevilla releases when stems are cut.
Pick the Right Pruning Location
Choose an appropriate spot to prune your mandevilla plant It’s best to prune right after bringing the plant inside for winter A heated garage, enclosed porch, or bright indoor area works well.
Make sure you can easily access all sides of the plant. Spread out some newspapers or a tarp to collect fallen leaves and cuttings.
Examine the Plant’s Current State
Before making any cuts, assess the current state of your mandevilla plant. Look for:
- Areas of dieback or dead stems
- Leaf loss
- Loss of vigor in growth
This will help determine how much to prune back the plant. Generally, you’ll want to remove all dead or damaged growth. Weak, spindly stems can be cut back farther to encourage fresh, robust regrowth.
Make the Pruning Cuts
Now you’re ready to begin pruning. Make cuts with sharp, clean shears just above leaf nodes or buds. Prune back each vine down to 8-12 inches above the soil line or pot rim.
Also remove any dead or damaged leaves and stems. Take off spent flower blooms and seed pods as well. Clean up the overall shape and silhouette of the plant.
As you prune, drop cut pieces immediately into the garbage bag to reduce mess. Disinfect your shears occasionally as you work.
Dispose of Pruned Growth Properly
Once finished, seal up the yard waste bag containing the pruned mandevilla pieces. Never compost diseased plant material, as it may harbor pests or pathogens. Instead, throw the sealed bag in the trash for disposal.
Afterward, thoroughly clean your pruning tools with soap and water. Spray or wipe them with rubbing alcohol again to disinfect.
Give the Plant Aftercare
Post-pruning care is important too. Water the mandevilla vine well after pruning. This helps it recover from the trimming shock.
Move the plant to its overwintering spot in a bright, cool indoor location. Keep the soil slightly moist but not saturated over winter. Aim for temperatures between 50-60°F.
In spring, return the mandevilla to its outdoor growing spot after the last frost. New growth should quickly emerge, ready to bear masses of blooms throughout the summer!
What to Expect After Pruning Mandevilla for Winter
Pruning triggers mandevilla to go dormant for winter. So expect minimal leaf and stem growth once cut back and overwintered indoors. Lower light and cooler temperatures will also slow growth.
The significant pruning stimulates vigorous regrowth once the plant is moved back outside in spring. Flower production peaks on new stems, so your mandevilla should reward you with more blooms after being pruned back hard over winter.
Common Questions About Pruning Mandevilla Vines
Pruning mandevilla properly for winter is crucial, but it often raises questions for gardeners. Here are answers to some frequently asked queries:
How much should I prune back my mandevilla?
In fall, prune stems back to 8-12 inches above the soil. Remove all dead or damaged growth as well. This severe pruning induces dormancy.
When should I prune my outdoor mandevilla?
For winter dormancy, prune in late fall after plants are indoors. For summer shaping, lightly prune in early spring. Avoid pruning actively growing vines.
Can I prune my mandevilla in summer?
You can do light pruning in summer to shape vines or pinch off spent blooms. But avoid heavy pruning that removes large amounts of foliage.
What do I do with the cuttings when I prune?
Discard all clippings, dead leaves, and other debris in the trash or yard waste collection. Don’t compost, since diseases may persist.
Enjoy a Healthy Mandevilla After Pruning
Though it may seem harsh, pruning mandevilla vines back drastically before winter benefits the plants. You’ll bring outdoors a revitalized, vigorous specimen ready to grow and flower abundantly once temperatures warm again.
By following best practices on when to prune, how much to cut back, and proper aftercare, you can help ensure your prized mandevilla successfully transitions through the seasons for years of beauty.
Should I Cut Back Mandevilla?
This is a commonly asked question with a resounding, yes. Knowing when to prune mandevilla vines is key to continued health and vigorous blooms. Mandevilla vines should be pruned back in late winter or early spring, before they start to grow new leaves.
Mandevilla vines always and quickly grow new leaves, and the flowers of the summer all bloom on these new leaves. This is why cutting back a mandevilla vine a lot won’t hurt it or change how it looks in the summer, as long as you do it before it sends out new shoots.
You can cut back old growth or branches that are getting too big by cutting them all the way to the ground. They should sprout new strong stems in the spring. Pruning even branches that aren’t getting out of hand is good for the plant because it encourages new growth and makes the whole thing look bushier and more compact.
A single stem of old growth that’s cut back should sprout several shoots of new growth. Cutting back a mandevilla vine can also be done during the growing season. You should never prune new growth vigorously, because this will result in fewer flowers.
You can, however, cut off the ends of new growth when it’s just a few inches long in the spring. 5 cm. ) in length. This should make it more likely to split into two new shoots, which will make the plant fuller and more likely to flower.