Overwintering mandevilla (dipladenia)

Q: How warm does mandevilla need to be in winter?

Ideally bright and above 15 °C at night. Many plants survive slightly cooler, above 10 °C, but they often drop leaves.

Q: Can I keep mandevilla indoors over winter?

Yes, at a bright window in a room that stays above 10 °C. A warm living room works too, but check more often for mealybugs and spider mites.

Q: When can mandevilla go back outside?

Once nights stay above 10 °C, usually from mid May or in June, after a gradual introduction to sun.

Mandevilla sanderi

Quick answer

Mandevilla, sold in Germany as Dipladenia, comes indoors before nights drop below 10 to 15 °C (50⁠–⁠59 °F). It overwinters best somewhere bright and above 15 °C (59 °F) at night, and 10 °C (50 °F) is the lowest it should get. In a cooler, darker room it rests and drops leaves, which is normal. Water sparingly, feed only when new growth starts, and move it out from mid May or June.

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Toxic to pets

10 to 15 °C (50⁠–⁠59 °F)

01
When to bring mandevilla in
Mandevilla is tropical and does not handle cold. The RHS says to bring it in before nights fall below 10 to 15 °C (50⁠–⁠59 °F), so move it once nights head toward 15 °C (59 °F) and no later than 10 °C (50 °F). US extension services use nights of about 10 to 13 °C (50⁠–⁠55 °F) as the signal for tropical container plants.
Check it carefully for pests before you move it.
02
Bright or dark?
Bright and above 15 °C (59 °F) at night is best: a bright spare room, a heated conservatory or a stairwell window. A warm living room works if that is all you have, though pests are more likely there.
The RHS advises keeping it above 15 °C (59 °F) at night if you can. Many plants survive slightly cooler, above 10 °C (50 °F). Frost-free alone is not warm enough. In a cooler, darker room above 10 °C (50 °F) it rests, drops many leaves and needs very little water, then regrows in spring.
03
Watering and feeding in winter
Water just enough that the root ball doesn’t dry out completely, letting the top 3 cm (1.2 in) dry between waterings. The cooler and darker the room, the less water it needs.
Hold off on feeding until new growth appears in late winter or spring.
04
Pests in winter quarters
Check leaf undersides and shoot tips often. Mealybugs and spider mites are the usual indoor pests.
05
Pruning before and after winter
Put on gloves before you cut, because the milky sap can irritate skin. Trim long vines before bringing it in so it fits and takes up less space.
06
When it can go back outside
Only once nights stay above 10 °C (50 °F), usually from mid May or in June. Introduce it to sun and wind gradually, or the leaves can scorch.
07
Common mistakes
Waiting too long: bring it in before nights drop below 10 to 15 °C (50⁠–⁠59 °F).
Too much water: a resting plant in a cool room needs very little.
Panicking about leaf drop: cool and dark, it sheds leaves. As long as the stems stay firm and green, it is fine.

Common questions

How warm does mandevilla need to be in winter?

Ideally bright and above 15 °C (59 °F) at night. Many plants survive slightly cooler, above 10 °C (50 °F), but they often drop leaves.

Can I keep mandevilla indoors over winter?

Yes, at a bright window in a room that stays above 10 °C (50 °F). A warm living room works too, but check more often for mealybugs and spider mites.

Why is my mandevilla losing leaves in winter?

In low light or a cool room it drops leaves and rests. That’s normal as long as the stems stay firm and green.

When can mandevilla go back outside?

Once nights stay above 10 °C (50 °F), usually from mid May or in June, after a gradual introduction to sun.

All Mandevilla guides

Sources6 references

Last reviewed: 2026-10-12

Overwintering mandevilla (dipladenia)