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Bougainvillea

4.9 out of 5 (9 experiences)

Survivor

Fast grower

About Bougainvillea

Bougainvillea is a tropical perennial shrubby vine grown as an annual or container plant. It's best suited to a hot, dry climate and should be watered deeply but allowed to dry out between waterings. It supports itself on other plants by means of curved thorns carried in the leaf axils and by quasi-twining stems.

Taxonomy

Scientific name

Bougainvillea spectabilis

Genus

Bougainvillea

Family

Nyctaginaceae

Order

Caryophyllales

Also known as

Great bougainvillea and Bougainvillea spectabilis 'Variegata'

How to care for Bougainvillea

💦 Water

How often to water your Bougainvillea

Bougainvillea needs 0.5 cups of water every 9 when it doesn’t get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5" pot.

Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Water 0.5 cups every
9

Does your plant get direct sunlight?

No Yes

Select the pot size

☀️ Light

Finding light for Bougainvillea in your home

Bougainvillea love being close to bright, sunny windows 😎.

Place it less than 1ft from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.

Bougainvillea does not tolerate low-light 🚫.

Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Bougainvillea in your home 🏡.

🪴 Nutrients

How to fertilize Bougainvillea

Nutrient, fertilizer, and repotting needs for Bougainvillea: repot after 2X growth

Most potting soils come with ample nutrients which plants use to produce new growth.

By the time your plant has depleted the nutrients in its soil it’s likely grown enough to need a larger pot anyway.

To replenish this plant's nutrients, repot your Bougainvillea after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

Browse #Bougainvillea

💡 FAQs

⭐ Difficulty Level

Bougainvillea is generally considered an easy-to-care-for plant and makes a great choice for beginners!

How to Grow Bougainvillea →

Benefits of Growing Bougainvillea →

Common Bougainvillea Problems →

Indoor Care Guide for Bougainvillea →

Outdoor Care Guide for Bougainvillea →

💦 Water Needs

Bougainvillea prefers for the soil to dry out between waterings and should be watered regularly. Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Bougainvillea Water Frequency →

Bougainvillea Root Rot →

☀️ Sunlight Needs

Bougainvillea requires abundant, bright and direct light. Place it less than one foot from a window to ensure it receives enough light to survive 💪. Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home 🏡.

Bougainvillea Light Requirements →

Bougainvillea Direct Sunlight Needs & Tolerance →

🐶 🐈 👶 Toxicity

Bougainvillea is not known to cause harm to humans or pets. Regardless, if you, a family member, a cat, or dog has ingested any plant material, please consult a doctor or a veterinarian.

🪴 Soil

Bougainvillea does best in well-draining soil. A good soil will contain lots of organic matter such as coco coir as well as perlite or vermiculite to help with drainage. Adding a handful of perlite to regular store-bought potting soil should do the trick!

When and How to Successfully Repot Bougainvillea →

What Are Healthy Bougainvillea Roots →

💩 Fertilizer

Bougainvillea is a fast growing plant and may deplete the nutrients in its soil over time. Replenish them with a gentle organic fertilizer or compost every 1-2 months depending on your location and season. Fertilize more often during the growing season and in warmer and brighter climates.

⬆️ ⬇️ Growth Pattern

Bougainvillea is a naturally climbing plant and can be trained to climb indoors if you provide a moss pole or trellis. The newest growth will emerge from the end of the stems.

Bougainvillea Lifecycle →

Bougainvillea Size Guide →

🌦️ Growing Outdoors

USDA Hardiness Zone
Bougainvillea can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 9a-11b. Find your local hardiness zone here.

Bougainvillea Temperature Tolerance →

Bougainvillea Hardiness Zones →

Landscaping Ideas with Bougainvillea →

When to Plant Bougainvillea →

How to Plant Bougainvillea →

Where to Plant Bougainvillea →

Winter Care for Bougainvillea →

Best Companion Plants for Bougainvillea →

Is Bougainvillea a Weed? →

🌱 Propagation

How to Propagate Bougainvillea →

🍂 Yellow Leaves

Yellow leaves aren’t always a reason to panic, and can be a normal part of a plant’s life cycle. Unless brand new leaves are turning yellow or all the leaves change color at once, it’s likely just your plant shedding old leaves.

Overwatering and root rot are the most likely cause of problems in Bougainvillea, since they are sensitive to wet soil. The leaves may also appear to be curling or drooping. Less often, yellow leaves are caused by underwatering, nutrient deficiencies, or pests.

Replace soggy soil with fresh, dry soil and download Greg to make sure your plant never gets overwatered again!

🧐 Troubleshooting

When troubleshooting a sad-looking houseplant, start by checking for signs of distress in its leaves, such as yellowing, browning, or drooping, which can indicate overwatering or nutrient deficiencies.

Inspect the soil moisture; too dry or too wet soil can cause problems.

Ensure the plant is getting the right amount of light, as too much or too little can stress it.

Finally, consider environmental factors like temperature and humidity, and adjust care routines accordingly to revive your plant.