The vibrant flowering plant sold as “Brazilian Jasmine” is common in gardens and on patios, especially during summer. This tropical plant’s popularity leads many gardeners to question its ability to survive past a single growing season. The confusion about its perennial status stems from its native origins in warm, frost-free climates. Whether this vine returns year after year depends entirely on local winter temperatures and the gardener’s willingness to provide protection.
Identifying Brazilian Jasmine and Its Growth Habit
The plant marketed as “Brazilian Jasmine” is a species within the genus Mandevilla, or sometimes its close relative Dipladenia. Botanically, these are woody tropical perennials, capable of living for more than two years. In their native Central and South American environments, they function as evergreen or semi-evergreen vines that grow indefinitely. When grown outside of tropical zones, the Mandevilla is specifically classified as a “tender perennial.”
A tender perennial thrives in its native warm climate but cannot survive freezing temperatures in cooler regions. This differs from a true annual, which completes its life cycle in a single season and then dies. When grown in most of North America and Europe, the Mandevilla is treated as a seasonal annual because cold temperatures will kill it. This means the plant is not inherently a one-season bloomer, but one that requires specific conditions to persist.
Climate Requirements for Perennial Survival
For “Brazilian Jasmine” to survive as a true outdoor perennial, it requires a climate that mimics its native tropical home. The most limiting factor is cold temperature, as the plant is highly susceptible to frost damage. Consistent temperatures below 50°F (10°C) cause significant stress, and temperatures falling into the low 40s or below will kill it.
This minimum temperature requirement limits permanent outdoor cultivation to USDA Hardiness Zones 9, 10, and 11. In these mild regions, the vine can be planted directly into the ground and will return each year, often maintaining its foliage through winter. The plant thrives in rich, well-draining soil and requires bright light, ideally with protection from the afternoon sun. Regular watering is necessary to keep the soil consistently moist, but it should never be allowed to become waterlogged.
Managing the Plant in Cooler Regions
Gardeners in cooler zones (USDA Zones 8 and below) must take special measures to keep “Brazilian Jasmine” alive through winter. Since the plant cannot tolerate freezing, it must be either treated as an annual or overwintered indoors. If treated as an annual, the plant is allowed to die back with the first hard frost and is replaced the following spring.
The common approach for preserving the plant is to bring it inside before nighttime temperatures consistently drop below 50°F. Before moving it, the plant should be inspected thoroughly for pests, and any infestations must be treated to prevent spreading them indoors. It is beneficial to prune the vine back significantly, sometimes to only 12 inches above the soil, to manage its size for indoor storage.
Once indoors, the plant can be managed in two ways: as an active houseplant or as a dormant specimen.
Active Houseplant
If treated as a houseplant, it needs a bright, sunny window and continued moderate watering.
Dormant Overwintering
For dormant overwintering, the plant should be placed in a cool, dark location, such as a garage or basement, where temperatures remain consistently between 50°F and 60°F. During this dormant phase, watering must be reduced significantly, providing just enough moisture to keep the soil from completely drying out and preventing root rot.