Rio Dipladenia is also called Rio Mandevilla. It is commonly referred to as Brazilian Jasmine as a nod to its heritage. However, this plant also grows wild in South and Central America, Mexico, the West Indies, and even some southern parts of the United States.
This perennial, evergreen vining plant is a member of the Apocynaceae or Dogbane family.
This lovely plant presents a bouquet of tongue-twisting names. Speak of it in this way to avoid appearing uninformed:
- Dipladenia sanderi (dip-la-DEE-nee-uh SAN-der-eye)
- Mandevilla sanderi (man-de-VILL-uh SAN-der-eye)
- Rio Dipladenia (ree-OH dip-la-DEE-nee-uh)
- Rio Mandevilla (ree-OH man-de-VILL-uh)
Or simply refer to it by its common name, Brazilian Jasmine!
Rio Dipladenia Care
Size And Growth
Rio Dipladenia can attain a height of 10′ feet when it is grown outdoors, in the landscape in ideal conditions. Kept in a container, well pruned and trained, it can only grow at about 2′ feet or so.
The plant has an upright growth habit and tends to vine less than other members of its family, so it does well as a container plant both indoors and outdoors.
Flowering And Fragrance
Rio Dipladenia has beautiful, deep green, glossy leaves and produces large, beautiful, sweetly scented trumpet-shaped blooms from spring to autumn in shades of white, pink, raspberry, and red.
Flowers are abundant and perky, even in the hottest and most humid circumstances.
Light And Temperature
Brazilian Jasmine is a heat-loving plant that blooms most abundantly when it receives at least 4 hours of direct sun daily.
Full sun is best in most settings; however, if you live in an exceptionally hot, dry area, full morning sun and afternoon shade are preferable.
This plant is winter hardy in USDA hardiness zones 9 to 12. In cooler zones, you can keep it as a houseplant in the winter and outdoors in the late spring, summer, and early autumn.
When kept indoors, these plants do need full sun. A south-facing window is best. West-facing will also do, but you may need to supplement sunlight with artificial light.
Watering And Feeding
Rio Dipladenia is a rugged plant that can do well with both drought and high humidity. It grows from underground tubers, which store water to get it through dry spells, but these tubers are also subject to rot if overwatered.
Employ a soak and dry watering method for best results. First, water the plant deeply and then wait until the soil has dried out before watering deeply again.
For plants grown outdoors year-round, fertilize every couple of weeks with an all-purpose fertilizer throughout the spring and summer months.
For plants kept as houseplants during the winter and outdoors during the summer, use a slow-release 18-6-12 fertilizer once early in the springtime and again in August.
Remember that, no matter how you keep your Dipladenia, you should not fertilize in the wintertime (October to April) when the plant naturally rests.
Soil And Transplanting
In USDA hardiness zones 9 to 12, you can plant your Rio Dipladenia directly into the landscape. Be sure to choose a spot that receives at least 4 hours of direct sun daily and has a bit of elevation to prevent waterlogging.
Amend the soil with plenty of organic matter to create a soil mixture that is light, airy, and well-draining.
Plants in the landscape should be placed about a foot apart.
If you are planting your Brazilian Jasmine in a container, choose one at least 20″ inches in diameter. Ample drainage holes are a must.
Any good quality, well-draining potting mix will work well for these plants.
Mid-spring to late spring is the best time for planting or transplanting. This gives the plant ample time to establish itself before the weather gets too hot.
Grooming And Maintenance
Much like Knock-Out Roses, Rio Dipladenia produces fresh blossoms continuously and pushes out spent ones.
For this reason, you do not need to deadhead old flowers. Instead, just let them fall at the feet of the plant so that they can decompose into the soil and provide nourishment.
Remember that these plants cannot tolerate temperatures below 45° degrees Fahrenheit, so bring them in or provide protection when temperatures drop.
While your plant is indoors for the winter, it may lose leaves. Don’t worry about this. Just prune the plant for tidiness and appearance. The foliage will grow back in the springtime.
How To Propagate Brazilian Jasmine?
It is easy to propagate Brazilian Jasmine from cuttings in potting soil. Remember to cut at a 45-degree angle to maximize the surface area exposed to the soil.
Here’s what you need to do:
- Use rooting hormones to accelerate root growth.
- Then, remove all but a couple of leaves at the tip of the cutting.
- Place the cuttings in potting soil and water it well.
- Keep your cuttings in an area that is consistently warm and receives bright, indirect sunlight.
- Water as needed to keep the soil evenly moist, not soggy.
You should see new growth within 2-4 weeks.
Rio Dipladenia Main Pest Or Diseases
Generally speaking, Brazilian Jasmine that is well-kept is pest and disease-resistant. However, stressed plants are subject to infestation by the following:
- Whiteflies
- Spider mites
- Mealybugs
- Scale insects
This is especially true for plants kept indoors in winter. Be sure to provide ample sunlight and warmth and correct watering to prevent these problems.
Overwatering weakens plants and causes problems such as:
- Root rot
- Botrytis blight
- Crown galls
- Fusarium rot
- Other fungal and bacterial infections
Remember that your Dipladenia will need less water in winter, and being indoors will also reduce the amount of water your plant will need.
Use soak and dry watering, and provide gentle air circulation to prevent the development of fungal and bacterial infections.
Is The Dipladenia Plant Considered Toxic Or Poisonous To People, Kids, Or Pets?
Although Brazilian Jasmine is considered non-toxic, its milky white sap can irritate your skin. Be sure to wear gloves when handling and pruning this plant.
The sap also has an unpleasant taste, so these plants are not attractive to rabbits and deer.
It is unlikely that children, pets, or livestock would nibble on Dipladenia, but it’s probably a good idea to keep these plants out of the reach of kids and critters.
Is The Dipladenia Plant considered invasive?
No. This plant is not invasive.
Suggested Rio Dipladenia Uses
Easy care Rio Dipladenia blooms all summer, attracting butterflies, bees, and other pollinators.
Its natural hardiness makes it an excellent choice in the landscape, in garden beds, planters, and hanging baskets.
This colorful plant makes an excellent addition to a poolside plant collection and grows happily and prettily alongside allamanda, Ixora, hibiscus, and other tropical blooming plants.
In colder settings, Rio Dipladenia makes a beautiful porch or patio plant in the spring and summer and grows well as a houseplant in a bright window through the winter.