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Brazilian jasmine (Mandevilla sanderi)

Mandevilla sanderi is a perennial evergreen plant. Sources differ in describing its habit: it is a woody evergreen vine that can initially appear shrub-like before climbing supports with long, woody, twining stems.

LightIt does well in bright, warm conditions with abundant sunlight, from full sun to slight shade, while intense outdoor midday sun should be avoided because it can cause damage.
WaterWater regularly during flowering while allowing the growing medium to dry moderately between waterings, and avoid prolonged wetness; reduce watering indoors in winter. Established plants have some drought tolerance, but
HumidityIt is reported to prefer high humidity and to need little air movement.
TemperatureThe few available sources report an ideal temperature of about 25–30 °C. It is reported to be frost tender; keep above freezing.
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Brazilian jasmine illustration

Overview

Mandevilla sanderi is a perennial evergreen plant. Sources differ in describing its habit: it is a woody evergreen vine that can initially appear shrub-like before climbing supports with long, woody, twining stems.

Origin and habitat

Mandevilla sanderi is native to Brazil, with its natural range more specifically identified as the state of Rio de Janeiro. It is reported to occur in mountainous forest around Serra dos Órgãos near Rio de Janeiro, primarily in a tropical wet biome. It is suited to warm conditions; its native environment is tropical and wet, and it is also widely grown in containers in temperate regions.

Characteristics

Sources differ, with the few available accounts placing mature height at about 200–450 cm. It grows rapidly. The evergreen, stalked leaves are opposite, thick, leathery, and dark green, with glossy upper surfaces, short-pointed tips, and elliptical to ovate-elliptical shapes. Sources differ in their descriptions of the large, funnel-shaped flowers; they are typically pink to red with a lobed corolla. Sources differ on flowering season: flowering is mainly from spring through autumn, while Taiwan horticultural information emphasizes summer and autumn, with flowering potentially extending or continuing year-round in hot regions; the dry fruit consists of a pair of slender follicles that split lengthwise at maturity.

Light

It does well in bright, warm conditions with abundant sunlight, from full sun to slight shade, while intense outdoor midday sun should be avoided because it can cause damage.

Watering

Water regularly during flowering while allowing the growing medium to dry moderately between waterings, and avoid prolonged wetness; reduce watering indoors in winter. Established plants have some drought tolerance, but prolonged drought can affect new shoots and flowering.

Humidity and airflow

It is reported to prefer high humidity and to need little air movement.

Temperature and dormancy

The few available sources report an ideal temperature of about 25–30 °C. It is reported to be frost tender; keep above freezing.

Growing medium and mounting

It is generally grown in well-drained potting mix or sandy loam.

Feeding

Sources differ on feeding: slow-release fertilizer may be applied from spring through autumn, while liquid flowering fertilizer may be used during peak flowering; another recommendation is to apply flowering-plant fertilizer with watering in summer.

Propagation

It is reported to be propagated from cuttings in the warm season, using established shoots with excess leaves removed, followed by rooting treatment and insertion into growing medium while maintaining humidity and temperature until roots develop.

Common problems

It is sensitive to frost, which sources indicate can be fatal; cold spells can halt growth or cause leaf drop, while intense outdoor midday sun can also cause damage. Persistently wet growing medium is unfavorable to growth, prolonged drought can impair new-shoot development and flowering, and winter cold spells may stop growth or cause leaf drop.

Identification

Distinguishing features include woody twining stems, sticky white sap, large tuberous roots, thick, leathery, glossy opposite leaves, and large funnel-shaped pink to red flowers; the flower buds are described as resembling cicada pupae.

Photos

Mandevilla sanderi
📷 日:Jnn · CC BY 2.1 jp · source

Sources