Dipladenia is a tropical plant that is as fascinating as it is delicate, but do you know what is the minimum temperature that it can really tolerate without risking damage? It might surprise you.
They look like little exotic queens, hanging on balconies and terraces with their elegant posture and trumpet flowers. There or Mandevilla, whatever you want to call it, enchants and seduces with simplicity. But as soon as the atmosphere begins to change, the doubt appears: has the time come to shelter it? The answer is not so obvious, because if the cold is the enemy, so is excessive haste. You need balance, attention, and a pinch of intuition. In the world of gardening, there are few things more frustrating than seeing a lovingly cared for plant wither just because of one freezing night. And it is precisely to avoid this that knowing the critical thermal threshold of Dipladenia can make the difference between a flowering spring and a vase having to start over.
Be careful though: the rules change if you live in the hills, in the city or near the sea. A well-exposed terrace can retain heat for longer, while a garden in the open countryside will be more vulnerable to night frosts. This is why, in addition to the degrees on the thermometer, you also need eyes and nose: observing, smelling the air, sensing when the plant begins to “tighten”. After all, who has never left a vase out for a night, hoping it wasn’t too late?
When the thermometer drops: the true limit of Dipladenia
Although its exotic appearance may suggest extreme fragility, the Dipladenia resists up to approximately 8°Cbut in optimal conditions it can also briefly tolerate i 5°C. However, it is good to know that already below 10°C the plant begins to suffer: it slows down growth, loses vigor and may stop flowering. It’s as if, below a certain threshold, it enters a kind of forced hibernation. If temperatures then approach zero, the risk of permanent damage is real. The the stems become soft and the cold can directly affect the roots, compromising the health of the entire plant.
A metaphor? Think of her as a tropical tourist caught in a snowfall without a coat: she’ll hold out a little, but not for too long.
How to protect her from the cold without stressing her
Even those who live in areas with a mild climate should not underestimate autumn temperature changes. For this, there are some practical strategies to guarantee Dipladenia a peaceful winter:
After a few cool evenings, if the thermometer consistently drops below 12°C, it’s time to act. Don’t wait for frosts: it’s better to prevent than to take action when the plant is already suffering.
- Move it to a sheltered environment, such as an enclosed veranda or a bright stairwell
- Avoid overheated rooms: dry, hot air can stress you more than the cold
- Maintain good environmental humidity, without exaggerating with watering
- Suspend fertilization: the plant needs rest in winter
- Check periodically that no parasites appear, facilitated by the weakening of the plant
Alternatively, you can also cover Dipladenia with a non-woven fabric sheet, especially if it is on the balcony and it is not possible to move it.
A common mistake: leaving out the Dipladenia “because it doesn’t freeze anyway”
One of the most frequent mistakes? Thinking that if it doesn’t reach 0°C, then there is no danger. In reality, the Dipladenia cannot tolerate prolonged coldnot even if above zero. Even constant temperatures around 7°C, if they last days or weeks, can weaken it to the point of compromising its recovery.
Then there is another factor to consider: humidity. A cold climate e wet is more harmful than dry one. Wet roots, in the presence of low temperatures, risk rotting.
Ultimately, the golden rule is simple: better to move it too early than too late. A small gesture that can save an entire season of blooms.
And who knows, maybe with a little more attention, it will be your Dipladenia that will surprise everyone with its explosion of color, even after the harshest winter.
Photo © stock.adobe
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