Dipladenia (dy-pla-DEE-nee-uh) the rocktrumpet or Brazilian jasmine is an older classification for plants now commonly falling under the genus Mandevilla.
The difference between Dipladenia and Mandevilla vine is in their growth habit.
The spring favorite Mandevilla vine has a vertical growth habit. The Dipladenia plant is a bushy plant with downward, hanging growth.
The Dipladenia bush is a perennial, flowering evergreen plant in warm-winter locations and a member of the Apocynaceae family (Dogbane).
These flowering tropical vines originate from Brazil – specifically Rio de Janerio and is found in South and Central America, Southwest United States, West Indies, and Mexico.
The most popular species is Dipladenia sanderi (Mandevilla sanderi). It is a woody climbing plant with shiny, opposite, elliptic leaves, trumpet-shaped flowers, pink with orange throat.
The bright, colorful appearance and attractive growth habit make the Dipladenia flowering plants an ideal choice for your garden or as a houseplant.
Dipladenia Plant Care
Size and Growth
Due to its tropical nature, it can flower for most of the year even in cooler areas.
But it will have a shorter flowering period in such temperatures.
Dipladenia bush, has an upwards growth to a certain level after which it droops over the side of potted plants or hanging baskets and begins to trail downwards.
You can train your plant to have a bushy growth by giving the plant support at the base and pinching out new growth.
Encourage the climbing growth habit by winding the plant around a taller structure like a trellis as it grows.
Rio Dipladenia is a hardy plant in warm climates and recommended for USDA hardiness zones 10 to 12. It can also be overwintered indoors.
More on Overwintering Mandevilla
Dipladenia Flower and Fragrance
Dipladenia Rio plants are bushy plants characterized by small, pointy green leaves with a slight, gloss-like sheen to them and are a shade of deep green.
It also has smaller, tube-shaped flowers in comparison to Mandevilla flowers that blooms in a range of colors from pink red to orange with a soft fragrance.
Light and Temperature
Rock trumpet plants are not one to shy away from the full sun. However, in extremely hot climates they will benefit from some light shade over direct sunlight.
When you grow Dipladenia flowers indoors keep the plant in a sunny window.
It is not a very cold hardy plant. It requires warmer nighttime temperatures ranging from 65° to 70° degrees Fahrenheit.
It can be overwintered indoors if the temperatures are falling too low.
Details on Overwintering Mandevilla and Dipladenia
Watering and Feeding
For the best Dipladenia care remember these tropical plants require frequent watering especially growing in full sun during the summer months.
Be careful not to overwater or else you will risk root rot setting in.
Let the soil dry out between watering and apply a layer of mulch for extra drainage.
This plant is also tolerant of some occasional droughts due to the roots’ ability to store water.
Dipladenia does not require a lot of feeding. Feed with a slow-release fertilizer in the early spring.
Or feed once or twice a month at most during the growing season using a good liquid plant food.
Do not feed during winter.
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Soil and Transplanting
Mandevilla plant / Dipladenia will require good, well-drained potting soil.
A potting mix with good insulation and moisture will keep the plant from needing frequent transplanting.
When transplanting Dipladenia Mandevilla, try to retain as much of the roots as you can.
If transplanting a fully grown plant, ideally use a larger container, so the plant has more space to grow.
In the case of transplanting in the garden, the hole should be as deep as the plant’s root ball but much wider.
This allows the roots ample space to spread.
Grooming and Maintenance
Cutting back the tips at a leaf node to encourage plants to have a bushier growth.
This should be done when the plant is not in full flowering mode.
Late winter or early spring is best as Dipladenia flowers in summer from June to October.
How To Propagate and Grow Dipladenia?
Dipladenia propagation is done from vine cuttings.
- Remove a mature vine and strip off the leaves around it.
- Wash off the sap that may leak from the cutting
- Dip the cut vine stem into rooting powder
- Once the cut drys, place it into a prepared container or pot.
- Position the newly planted vine in a warm location with plenty of light.
If outdoors, a greenhouse is an ideal location or an eastward-facing window if it’s being kept indoors.
Make sure to keep the soil moist by spraying it lightly until the plant takes root.
Dipladenia Pest and Disease Problems
Dipladenias are susceptible to spider mites and aphids. For more read our article on Getting Rid of Aphids on Mandevilla.
These can be handled by spraying insecticide soap on the pests.
There is also a chance your plant will develop fungal diseases.
These can be handled fairly easily by using a fungicide to contain the spread.
Be careful when handling Dipladenia as their vines contain a skin-irritating sap.
Wear gloves while handling the plant.
Details on Poisonous Mandevilla Plant
Suggested Dipladenia Uses
Rio flowers are great plants to use both as an ornamental indoor plant or in direct sunlight or full sun as a garden accent for container gardening.
Its bright colors are conducive to attracting hummingbirds and bees.