| How should I care for my mandevilla indoors over the winter? Do they need smaller or larger container for the roots? |
| If yours is in a container, you need only to bring it indoors when your weather begins to cool down. If it is planted in the ground, dig it up and transplant it into a container. Choose a container that accommodates the roots plus about an inch all around. The best place to keep it indoors is in a sunny window. (Failing that, use gro-lites to supplement natural light, keeping it on for 12-14 hours a day.) Mandevilla can be pruned down to about 3' without harm, but wait until it has acclimated to growing indoors before pruning it back. Begin now to help it become adjusted to living indoors by taking it inside during the night and taking it back outdoors during the day. Do this for about a week, leaving it inside for longer and longer periods of time. Wait a few weeks and then prune it down to a more manageable size, if necessary. Mandevilla can grow to 12' as a vine, but it can be kept at about 3' with constant pinching and pruning. Since you'll be wintering your plant over indoors each year, you'll probably want to keep it small. Under the right conditions of heat and light your Mandevilla will bloom indoors for you. Enjoy! |
