Even though it doesn’t hold very well to the cold, allamanda is a plant that perfectly decorates Mediterranean-type gardens.
A summary of Allamanda facts
Name – Allamanda cathartica
Family – Apocynaceae
Type – climbing vine
Exposure – full sun
Soil – rather light
Foliage – evergreen
Flowering – July to November
It bestows us with sumptuous yellow blooming all summer long.
How to plant allamanda
The planting of an allamanda is an important step, even though it cannot be planted outdoors everywhere. Planting in a pot is an option in some cases.
Allamanda directly in the ground
Allamanda can survive outdoors year-round only in mild-wintered areas. It cannot withstand temperatures below freezing.
If you live around the Mediterranean, plant it in spring in light soil.
- It needs a lot of sun to develop well.
- It loves soil that drains particularly well. It’ll thus feel right at home with a mix of one part garden soil, one part soil mix and one part sand.
- Allamanda must be planted in a warm spot and should be brought indoors in winter if temperatures drop below 40°F (5°C).
- Choose a place that is sheltered from wind and preferably along a lattice that it can climb along.
Indeed, wind tends to dry plants out, and Allamanda is vulnerable to air that is too dry.
Additionally, as a precaution against transplant shock, cover it with a shade veil for 2-3 weeks just after planting, if the weather is very hot. Later on, this isn’t necessary.
Planting allamanda in pots
Growing allamanda in pots is recommended everywhere temperatures drop below 40°F (5°C) during winter.
You’ll be able to bring your allamanda in a well-lit place where it doesn’t freeze over winter.
Pruning allamanda
Allamanda takes pruning well, it even helps it grow stronger.
Indeed, this is a vigorous climbing vine we’re dealing with, sometimes even invasive. Pruning it is the way to set boundaries to its growth.
- Pruning doesn’t impact the blooming, nor does it slow the allamanda’s growth.
- Severe pruning can also be performed several times a year, or once every couple years.
- Pruning before spring growth renews is best, at the end of winter.
Caring for your allamanda
Allamanda is an easy plant to grow when in the proper environment.
- It is a plant that abhors shade, and needs as much sun as it can get to bloom.
Watering allamanda
Allamanda cherishes moisture and needs watering in case of heat waves. But don’t forget that the root area must drain well or the roots will rot!
The allamanda vine has particularly high water needs during the 1st year after planting.
- Water preferably in the evening. If you can water twice a day, dawn and dusk is ideal.
- Best use rain water because allamanda is sensitive to calcium-loaded water.
- Regularly spraying the leaves with soft water helps keep the high moisture levels it needs.
- Add flower plant fertilizer once or twice a month, especially for allamanda grown in pots.
- In winter, reduce watering as much as you can. About once a month is enough.
In particularly dry areas, find ways to increase air moisture in the vicinity of the plant. A nearby fountain or bird bath could do the trick outdoors.
Diseases and parasites that frequently attack allamanda
Allamanda is a plant that resists most parasites and diseases.
If leaves turn brown and curl, most probably aphids are colonizing the plant.
This vine is also vulnerable to red spider mite attacks.
All there is to know about the allamanda
Also called golden trumpet, allamanda grows fast and offers spectacular blooming in summer.
It illuminates the garden with its bright yellow flowers.
When placed in full sun, for instance on the edge of a deck, it spreads a delicate fruity fragrance.
All the parts of the plant induce skin photosensitivity. This means they make skin more vulnerable to irritation due to ultra-violet rays. Handle it with gloves to avoid this toxicity.
Furthermore, ingesting the plant causes nausea and vomiting.
Smart tip about allamanda
To produce spectacular blooms, add special flower plant organic fertilizer from spring to summer.
Read also on the topic of climbing plants
Credits for images shared to Nature & Garden (all edits by Gaspard Lorthiois):
Two golden trumpets by Anita under Pixabay license
Allamanda flower by elbrusto under Pixabay license
Your comment is awaiting moderation.
I have 2 allamandas planted in my backyard. They have grown so much and have been so beautiful all spring, summer and early fall. I am in the Houston, Texas area and I’m not sure what to do with them in the winter. If we get temps below 40 can I cover them so they won’t freeze. I might need to trim then back some before covering them due to the size. Is this going to be ok.
Hello Carol, for sure it’s possible to trim them now, especially since necessity calls. Recommendations of pruning late in winter are mostly to guide the plant along for it to grow in desired directions before the growth spurt starts. It’s a good idea to protect them with some cover when temps near freezing to give them a strong chance. Monitor weather forecasts so you can anticipate a bit, and practice at least once beforehand so you’re quick at it and don’t suffer in the cold weather yourself. Lastly, consider adding some mulch around the base, extending it to cover the root areas, this’ll help, too.
Thank you Gaspard for the reply. I did not repot the plant, I kept it in the same pot. Initially the leaves started turning yellow and droopy so I started giving less water but after that the leaves just dried and become crisp. Slowly all leaves fell off. Now its just stems in the pot. I plan to keep the plant in the pot itself.
Ok then! I’m sure if you follow these tips you’ll be giving your plant good survival chances. Check if there’s still life in it by breaking off a twig or side stem and looking for a fresh green color under the bark.
I purchased fullly grown allamanda in 10 inch pot a month back, kept it in sun and regularly watered. Temperature has been around 30-40 degree C but all the leaves have dried and plants seems to not reviving. Please help what should I do to revive it?
Hmmm, it sounds a lot like transplant shock to me. What I suspect is that in the nursery, the plants were very well watered, in normal amounts but possibly up to three times a day (especially in hot weather). Their 10-inch pot is a good size, but it won’t keep much water if the plant is thirsty. To have a chance of saving your allamanda, try the following:
– if you plant to transfer it to the ground, do it quickly so that roots can start spreading to look for more water. Check out our tips on planting shrubs.
– if your goal is to keep them in pots, then repot into a larger-sized pot, 12″ or 14″ (30 to 35 cm). In the soil mix, add hydrogel crystals to serve as a water reserve.
In both cases, if possible, water twice or thrice a day for at least a month, to give the plant time to grow new roots. Follow a few of these ideas to minimize transplant shock, such as extending a shade veil to block out most of the sun, or using mulch to reduce water evaporation.
At this stage, don’t remove leaves or dead twigs yet. Not only might some of them revive, but having the leaves and twigs up there will help retain some air moisture for the season. Later on, you’ll prune what definitely looks dead away.