Mandevillas produce abundant blooms and foliage, so they need plenty of light and consistent nutrition. But how much light is “plenty”? While many plants are touted as needing full sun, you’ll very often find that the sun’s hot, harsh, unadulterated rays will damage even the most rugged plants.
How much sun does your growing Mandevilla need to produce many showy flowers without experiencing dry roots and leaf burn? In this article, we weigh in on the question, “Do Mandevillas need sun or shade?” Read on to learn more.
Outdoor Temperature Requirements Of Mandevillas
Mandevillas are a beautiful choice for any garden. In cooler climates, they can do well outdoors during the spring and summer and can be overwintered indoors.
In warmer climates (USDA hardiness zones 10 and 11), they can survive and thrive outdoors year-round.
In this setting, they can tolerate outdoor temperatures dropping to 45° to 50 ° degrees Fahrenheit for short periods.
Generally speaking, these tropical vines need six or eight hours of bright sunlight daily. In a cooler climate, this may mean placing the plant in a setting that gets full sun.
In a scorching climate, it may be best to place it in an area that receives full morning sun with some protection from the punishing midday and afternoon sun.
Finally, the partial sun may be called for in a very hot environment all day.
Keep a close eye on your plants. If you notice that the sun seems to be drying them out rapidly or causing brown spots on the leaves, provide some shade and be sure that the soil is kept slightly moist consistently.
Indoor Mandevilla Sun Exposure
When you keep your Mandevilla indoors, you should place it in a setting that receives lots of bright, indirect sunlight.
Place it a couple of feet away from a southern window so it can receive this light level for most of the day.
If you must place your plant near an eastern window, where it will only receive morning sun, you may need to supplement its lighting needs with grow lights.
If you must place it in a western window, where it will receive harsh afternoon sun, you may need to provide a sheer curtain to protect it.
Light Exposure And Temperature Go Hand-In-Hand
In addition to monitoring light levels closely, you should keep tabs on the temperature around your indoor Mandevilla.
Daytime temperatures should be about 70° degrees Fahrenheit or higher. At night, do not allow the temperature to drop below 60° degrees Fahrenheit.
It is also important to realize that when you bring your plant indoors for the winter, you should reduce watering and stop fertilizing your Mandevilla until springtime. This will allow your plant to rest during reduced light and cooler weather.
As the temperatures rise and the days grow longer in spring, your plant will begin to show some new growth at its base.
Give it a good pruning and feeding. Then, you can begin gradually transitioning it outdoors when outdoor temperatures rise to match indoor temps.
Every Situation Is Unique
All plants and all situations are different, there is no “cut and dried” answer to the question of full sun or shade for Mandevillas. The bottom line is that all plants need sunlight for photosynthesis and growth.
You must consider many variables when determining how much light your particular plant needs.
For example:
- Your location and orientation to the sun will play a major role in your decisions.
- Whether or not there is a large, reflective surface nearby that will increase the heat and intensity of the sun’s rays should be considered.
- The amount of moisture in the soil and air may counteract the heat of the sun.
Examine your setting and circumstances carefully when determining exactly how and where to position your Mandevillas.
So can Mandevilla grow in sun or shade? The answer is yes both sun and shade. But, usually the more light the more blooms.
Related: Got Bugs on Mandevilla – Dealing with bugs lunching on your Mandevilla? Solutions here.