A hanging Alice du Pont mandevilla vine can be a gorgeous way to add a fresh, tropical feel to any indoor or outdoor space. With its abundant blooms and trailing vines, this eye-catching plant brings elegance and style wherever it’s displayed. In this article, we’ll explore why the Alice du Pont mandevilla makes an ideal hanging plant and provide tips on using it to freshen up your home or garden.
The Alice du Pont mandevilla (Mandevilla ‘Alice du Pont’) is a hybrid variety within the Mandevilla genus. It’s named after the Du Pont family who helped popularize this vine in the early 1900s.
Native to tropical regions of South America, the Alice du Pont mandevilla thrives in warm, humid environments It’s an evergreen vine that can grow up to 20 feet long. The vines are slender and flexible, making them perfect for training onto trellises and other structures
This mandevilla is prized for its stunning flowers. The blooms are trumpet-shaped, measuring 3-4 inches across. They come in bright shades like pink, red, and white. The flowers appear from spring to fall, especially during warm sunny weather. With proper care, you can enjoy nearly continuous flowering.
In addition to its flowers, the Alice du Pont mandevilla has glossy green leaves. The leaves are oval-shaped and come to a pointed tip. This lush foliage provides the perfect backdrop for the abundant blooms.
Why The Alice du Pont Mandevilla Makes a Great Hanging Plant
There are several reasons why the Alice du Pont mandevilla vine is an excellent choice as a hanging plant:
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Trailing growth habit. The long, vining stems naturally trail and cascade downward when suspended. This creates a beautiful draping effect.
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Air purifying. The mandevilla helps purify indoor air by removing toxins like xylene and formaldehyde. Its air cleansing properties are enhanced when positioned up high.
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Sunlight exposure. Hanging the vine enables ample sunlight exposure from all angles, which these plants need to thrive.
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Space optimization. Suspending the mandevilla maximizes vertical space. It adds greenery without taking up valuable floor area.
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Heightened visual impact. Hanging the vine at eye-level lets the colorful blooms truly stand out and become a focal point.
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Versatility. This plant can be hung indoors or outdoors. Its vibrant style works with any aesthetic.
Tips for Hanging Your Alice du Pont Mandevilla Vine
Here are some tips to follow when displaying your Alice du Pont mandevilla as a hanging plant:
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Use a sturdy hanger or hook to support the plant’s weight. Ensure it can hold up the plant, soil, and water.
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Opt for a hanging basket or pot with drainage holes. This allows excess moisture to drain to prevent root rot.
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Place in a spot with bright, indirect light to promote flowering. At least 4 hours of sun is ideal.
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Water when the top inch of soil dries out. Add moisture until it drains from the bottom. Don’t let it get bone dry.
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Mist the vine daily to boost humidity. The leaves can brown without adequate moisture.
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Prune back stray vines to contain growth and encourage bushiness. Only prune lightly to avoid removing buds.
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Turn the pot periodically so all sides get equal light exposure. This prevents uneven growth.
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Bring indoors or move to a sheltered area if temperatures drop below 45°F. Protect from frost.
Where to Showcase Your Hanging Mandevilla
Here are some prime spots to display your suspended Alice du Pont mandevilla vine:
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Patio or balcony – Let it trail from an overhead beam or hook. The blooms will scent the air.
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Entryway – Greet guests with a burst of color by hanging near your front door.
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Atrium – Use as a focal point suspended from the ceiling of an indoor atrium or greenhouse.
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Garden arbor – Train vines to wind gracefully over an arbor for a romantic allure.
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Kitchen window – Hang near a sunny kitchen window so you can enjoy the view as you cook.
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Bedroom – Place near a window to create a serene, relaxing wake-up.
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Office – Add life to a home office by dangling near your workspace.
Caring for Your Hanging Mandevilla Vine
To keep your hanging Alice du Pont mandevilla looking lush and floriferous, provide consistent care:
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Light: Bright, indirect light
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Water: Water when top 1″ of soil is dry. Don’t soak.
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Temperature: Above 60°F/15°C. Keep away from AC vents.
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Humidity: Mist leaves and provide good airflow.
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Fertilizer: Use balanced fertilizer every 2-3 weeks in spring/summer.
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Support: Check hangers/hooks regularly to ensure they are secure.
With the right growing conditions and routine care, a hanging Alice du Pont mandevilla will reward you with months of breathtaking blooms and add a vibrant, tropical flair whether displayed indoors or out. Let this graceful vine freshen up your space with its lush foliage, abundant flowers, and cascading elegance.
Other Trailing Plants to Grow in Hanging Baskets
In addition to the Alice du Pont mandevilla, here are some other trailing plants that make beautiful hanging basket displays:
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Ivy – English ivy or Swedish ivy both make excellent cascading accents.
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Creeping Jenny – Also called moneywort. Features round leaves on trailing stems.
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Sweet potato vine – Grown for its lush, chartreuse foliage and vining habit.
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Fuchsia – Dangling tubular flowers in shades of pink, purple, red, and white.
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Million bells – Cascades of petite petunia-like blooms. Thrives in baskets.
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Lantana – A heat-loving annual that drips with clusters of small flowers.
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Scaevola – Flowers continuously with fans of little blossoms in blue or white.
With the right selection, you can create a one-of-a-kind hanging display that refreshes your space with graceful, flowing greenery and bountiful blooms. The Alice du Pont mandevilla is sure to be a stunning centerpiece.
Cover a wall with mandevilla
Got a big bare wall? Try growing mandevilla on a trellis for a dramatic splash of color in a hurry. Plant mandevilla vines along a wire fence panel for a temporary privacy panel or to divide the backyard into “garden rooms.”
Mandevilla — a vine with tropical flair
One grower calls mandevilla “the fleur with allure.” Talk about truth in advertising! And even though it isn’t cold-hardy in most of North America, anyone can grow it as an annual and it’ll bloom from late spring to fall.
Mandevilla is a well-behaved twining vine. That means it won’t outgrow its space and strangle nearby plants. Give it some support or stems will twine around themselves and splay in different directions, making it look messy. Obelisks and trellises are perfect for keeping mandevilla looking neater.
Alice Dupont Mandevilla
FAQ
Can a mandevilla be grown indoors?
Do mandevilla plants like sun or shade?
Do mandevillas come back every year?
Where is the best place to plant a mandevilla?
How do you prune a Mandevilla?
Prune your Mandevilla to shape the plant and encourage bushier growth. Pinch off the tips of young plants to promote branching, and cut back any overgrown or dead stems as needed. Pruning is best done in early spring, just before the growing season begins.
How do you irrigate a Mandevilla tree?
Irrigate when the soil surface becomes dry 1 to 2 inches down. Mandevilla has a twining habit, needing a free-standing support such as a trellis, pergola, obelisk, or arbor to grow on. The vining branches may need to be tied as they grow to train them in the direction you want them to go.
Are obelisks good for Mandevillas?
Obelisks and trellises are perfect for keeping mandevilla looking neater. Mandevillas thrive in warm, humid weather and bloom continuously from late spring until frost. They are best purchased as potted plants. Wait until temperatures are reliably in the 60 degree F daytime temperature range (50 degrees F at night) before you plant them outdoors.