How to Grow Mandevilla 'Red Riding Hood'
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Mandevilla 'Red Riding Hood'
Mandevilla × hybrid 'Red Riding Hood'
vineRed Riding Hood is a compact, dwarf cultivar of mandevilla featuring stunning deep red flowers with yellow throat markings. It's a tropical vine that can be grown as an ornamental houseplant or in warm outdoor gardens, prized for its showy blooms and manageable size.
When should you plant Mandevilla 'Red Riding Hood' in your zone?
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Example Mandevilla 'Red Riding Hood' timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Mandevilla 'Red Riding Hood'
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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Harvest Mandevilla 'Red Riding Hood'
Around Jun 16≈ 60 days after planting
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Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Zones 10-11; can be grown as a containerized plant indoors in colder zones
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Establishment
2-4 weeksYoung plant with initial leaf growth, thin stems developing
Provide bright indirect light, maintain consistent moisture, ensure good drainage. Use a support stake or small trellis if needed.
Vegetative Growth
4-8 weeksVigorous stem and leaf development, plant fills out with dark green oval leaves
Continue bright light, feed monthly with balanced fertilizer, pinch tips to encourage bushiness, maintain humidity, provide light support structure
Bud Formation
2-3 weeksSmall buds appear at leaf nodes and stem tips, visible flower clusters forming
Increase feeding to every 2 weeks with flowering fertilizer (higher phosphorus), maintain consistent warmth (65-75°F minimum), ensure adequate light, maintain humidity
Flowering
8-16 weeks (extends with proper care)Abundant deep red flowers with yellow or white throats, continuous blooming throughout warm season
Deadhead spent flowers regularly to encourage more blooms, maintain warm temperatures, continue fertilizing every 2 weeks, ensure consistent moisture and humidity, provide bright light
Dormancy/Rest
2-4 months (winter)Reduced growth and flowering as temperatures drop and daylight decreases, plant may drop some foliage
Reduce watering frequency, stop fertilizing, move to cooler location (60-65°F), reduce light intensity slightly, allow partial rest period
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Increase humidity, mist foliage regularly, spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap every 7-10 days, isolate infested plants
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Remove with alcohol-soaked cotton swabs, spray with neem oil, ensure good air circulation, monitor regularly
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Scrape off manually, spray with horticultural oil or insecticidal soap, repeat applications every 7-14 days
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Yellow sticky traps, spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil, increase air circulation
Uses
Not for consumption
CulinaryMandevilla is ornamental only and toxic if ingested. All parts of the plant contain alkaloids that can cause gastrointestinal upset. Never consume any part of the plant. [source]
Cut flower arrangements
HouseholdThe vibrant red flowers are excellent for tropical-themed floral arrangements and vase displays. Fresh cut stems last several days in water with regular stem trimming and fresh water changes. [source]
Ornamental gardening and landscape design
CraftRed Riding Hood is ideal for container gardening, trellis-trained features, hanging baskets, and tropical garden designs. Its compact size makes it perfect for patios, porches, and conservatories. [source]
Pollinator attraction
WildlifeThe bright red flowers attract hummingbirds and butterflies, making it an excellent choice for pollinator gardens in warm climates. The abundant nectar provides food for visiting insects and birds. [source]
Traditional ethnobotanical interest
MedicinalSome Mandevilla species have been used in traditional South American medicine, though Red Riding Hood is primarily ornamental. Modern use is not recommended due to potential toxicity. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Mandevilla is grown for ornamental flowers rather than harvest. Deadhead spent blooms regularly by pinching just below the flower cluster to encourage continuous blooming. Cut stems can be used in fresh flower arrangements; harvest in early morning when blooms are fully open.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Red Riding Hood is a dwarf cultivar specifically bred to remain compact and manageable indoors, unlike wild Mandevilla species which can grow 10-20 feet long
- 🌱 Mandevilla flowers open gradually throughout the day and may close at night or in cloudy weather, creating a dynamic display
- 🌱 The plant is native to tropical Central and South America and thrives in warm, humid conditions similar to its native rainforest habitat
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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