Bougainvillea is a popular plant known for its vibrant, paper-like bracts. Its prolific blooming and versatility make it a favored choice for adding tropical color to landscapes. This resilient plant thrives in warm climates, creating a dramatic display.
Understanding Bougainvillea
Bougainvillea’s intensely colored bracts are often mistaken for flowers. These modified leaves surround the true, small, tubular, and typically white or yellow flowers. It is a woody vine with a scrambling growth habit and sharp thorns.
Bougainvillea is versatile in its growth forms. Depending on variety and training, it can grow as a vigorous vine, a sprawling shrub, or a small tree. It can climb walls, trellises, and fences, or cascade from hanging baskets.
Establishing Ideal Growing Conditions
Bougainvillea thrives in tropical and subtropical environments. It requires at least six hours of direct sunlight daily for optimal blooming. Insufficient light leads to leggy growth and reduced bract vibrancy.
The plant prefers well-draining, slightly acidic to neutral soil (pH 5.5-7.0). Sandy or loamy mixes are suitable, preventing waterlogging and root rot. When planting, protect the site from strong winds due to brittle branches.
Once established, bougainvillea is drought tolerant, preferring deep, infrequent watering. Overwatering leads to fewer blooms and root rot. Young plants need more consistent moisture to establish roots, typically watered weekly, allowing the top few inches of soil to dry.
Bougainvillea is a heat-loving plant, performing best above 60°F (15°C). It is not frost-tolerant; temperatures below 30°F (-1°C) can cause damage, and sustained freezing temperatures are fatal. In colder climates, grow bougainvillea in containers to bring indoors during winter.
Ongoing Care and Pruning
Fertilizing encourages prolific blooms. Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer (e.g., 10-10-10) every four to six weeks during the growing season. For enhanced flowering, use a higher phosphorus, lower nitrogen fertilizer (e.g., 2-10-10 or 10-20-10), as excess nitrogen promotes leafy growth. Consistent feeding is beneficial, especially for potted plants.
Pruning maintains shape, controls size, and encourages more flowers, as bougainvillea blooms on new growth. Perform major structural pruning in late winter or early spring, before new growth and the main blooming season. This ensures new shoots develop and produce bracts.
Throughout the growing season, lighter trimming maintains shape and encourages continuous blooming. Deadheading also promotes new growth and extends the flowering period. When pruning, cut just above a node to encourage new branching.
Troubleshooting Common Challenges
Lack of blooms often stems from insufficient sunlight (less than six hours daily). Overwatering or excessive nitrogen fertilizer can also hinder flowering by promoting leafy growth. Adjusting watering and fertilizer can resolve these issues.
Yellowing leaves or leaf drop indicate water stress. Overwatering causes root rot and yellowing leaves, while underwatering causes wilting. Cold temperatures can also cause leaves to yellow and fall, especially below 45-50°F (7-10°C).
Aphids and mealybugs can affect bougainvillea, managed with insecticidal soaps or neem oil. Root rot, a fungal disease, results from overwatering or poorly draining soil. Ensure proper drainage and avoid consistently wet conditions.