Why Is My Mandevilla Dying? 7 Reasons & What To Do

If you’re asking yourself, ‘Why is my Mandevilla dying,’ then this is the article for you.

Mandevillas can die for several reasons. A lot of the time, it is due to watering or sunlight issues (either too much or too little), but in other cases, it can be due to disease or even pests.

In this guide, I’ll take you through the seven most common reasons for a dying Mandevilla, as well as actionable steps you can take to get your plant back to health.

Let’s get straight into the list.

7 Causes Of A Dying Mandevilla

Here are the seven most common reasons for a dying Mandevilla.

If you have any concerns for your Mandeville, use this as a starting point to identify the issue affecting it. Most of the time it will only be one or two things that are the cause of the problem.

1. Watering Issues

One of the most common reasons for a dying Mandevilla is improper watering.

Mandevilla plants prefer well-hydrated soil, but they do not thrive in overly wet or dry conditions:

  • Overwatering can quickly lead to root rot which can quickly kill the plant. During this time, you’ll likely notice yellowing, drooping leaves, and a lack of flowering.
  • Underwatering doesn’t act as quickly as something like root rot, but it causes similar symptoms, and the leaves will turn brown and crispy from the tips.

To ensure your Mandevilla stays healthy, you need to maintain a balance between consistent watering and allowing the soil to dry slightly between watering sessions.

I like to water my Mandevillas when the top inch or two of soil becomes dry, and I’ve found that this is a good balance.

2. Too Much Sunlight

While Mandevilla plants love the sun, excessive exposure to direct sunlight can cause harm, especially in extreme weather.

Leaves may become scorched or develop sunburn-like symptoms – this typically looks like irregular spots on the leaves with brown centers and yellow halos.

It’s a good idea to have your Mandevillas in a pot or container that can be moved to prevent this.

3. Lack Of Sunlight

On the other hand, a lack of sunlight can also cause a Mandevilla to wilt and eventually die. Sunlight is obviously important for photosynthesis, so without enough sunlight, you’ll notice that your Mandevilla will struggle to grow and show signs of struggling.

These plants require at least six hours of direct sunlight each day to thrive.

If your Mandevilla isn’t receiving enough light, consider relocating it to a sunnier spot and aim for the 6-hour target.

4. Pest Infestations

Pest infestations, such as spider mites and aphids, are another common issue that can cause your Mandevilla to die. These pests can weaken the plant and make it more susceptible to diseases.

Regular inspection and prompt treatment of infestations are crucial to maintaining a healthy Mandevilla.

Small infestations can be dealt with by spraying the plant down with water, but larger infestations require insecticides.

5. Lack Of Drainage

Poor drainage in the soil can lead to waterlogged conditions, resulting in root rot. A well-draining soil mix and proper pot choice are essential for the plant’s health.

Make sure the pot has drainage holes, and consider adding perlite or sand to your potting mix to improve its drainage capabilities.

6. Diseases

Mandevilla plants are susceptible to a range of diseases, including powdery mildew and southern blight. These diseases can lead to leaf spots, wilting, and death in severe cases.

If you suspect a disease is affecting your Mandevilla, take action to treat it and prevent the issue from spreading to other plants. Fungicides can be used to deal with fungal diseases.

7. Lack of Nutrients

Mandevillas need nutrients to survive and thrive, and a lack of nutrients like Nitrogen or Potassium can have detrimental effects on the plant and cause it to die.

Providing the appropriate amount of fertilizer and ensuring the soil is rich in organic matter are crucial for the plant’s overall health and vitality.

Reviving A Mandevilla Plant

It’s just as important to know what to do if your Mandevilla plant is dying as it is to know the symptoms.

Here’s a quick step-by-step guide for getting your Mandevilla back to full health.

Check The Soil & Roots

First, examine the soil and roots of your Mandevilla plant.

Ruling out root rot at first is the best option as it will kill your Mandevilla if it isn’t dealt with, so inspect the roots. If they are discolored, mushy, or smell bad, then they need to be pruned, and the rest of the healthy roots treated with fungicide.

Once the roots have been inspected, ensure that your potting mix has good drainage and that our pots or hanging baskets have proper draining as well. Sandy soil works best for Mandevillas, so consider adding some to your mix if it isn’t draining well.

It’s also essential to choose a high-quality potting mix with plenty of nutrients.

Adjusting Watering Techniques

If the soil and roots are in good condition, we need to address any watering issues.

If you’ve replaced the soil, water thoroughly and let the excess flow out the drainage holes.

A pink Mandevilla leaf up close

In the future, only water your Mandevilla when the top one to two inches of soil become dry.

Providing Appropriate Light

Mandevilla plants love direct sunlight. Exposing the plant to the right amount of light is crucial for its growth. We should ensure that the plant gets at least 6 hours of sunlight daily.

However, if the sunlight is too harsh, it may be necessary to move the plant to partial shade during peak hours of the day.

You’ll know if the sunlight is too harsh if you notice signs of sun scorch on the leaves.

Check For Signs Of Pests Or Disease

Any pests or diseases that are affecting your Mandevilla need to be dealt with as soon as possible to stop your plant from dying.

Small pest infestations can be dealt with by spraying the plant down with water regularly over the course of a few weeks, whereas serious infestations will require insecticides.

Most diseases require pruning of affected leaves, followed by a fungicide treatment of the remaining parts of the plant.

Annual Vs Perennial

An important factor to consider is whether your Mandevilla is being grown as an annual or perennial, as this will obviously affect its lifespan and may explain why yours is dying earlier than you would expect.

Mandevilla plants are generally considered to be perennial in their ideal growing conditions, which are USDA Hardiness Zones 9 to 11. In these zones, Mandevilla plants can grow and flourish year after year without dying off due to frost or freezing temperatures.

However, they can be grown as annuals in colder climates where they will not survive the winter, but they will still bloom and produce seeds until the cold weather arrives.

In Summary

Hopefully, this article has cleared up any doubts you have about your Mandevilla dying.

As long as you are meeting the care requirements, there aren’t many other external factors that can kill your Mandevilla. You should do a check-up on your plant once every week or so to stay on top of any issues like disease or pests that may arise.

Photo of author

About Me

Hi, I'm Joe! I'm the head of SEO and content management at Bloom and Bumble. I'm a huge plant lover and over the years my home has become more like an indoor rainforest. It has taken a lot of trial and error to keep my plants healthy and so I'm here to share my knowledge to the rest of the world.

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