Bougainvillea care is not difficult . In fact , these gorgeous works flourish on neglect !
In this post , I ’ll show you everything you need to do it about grow bougainvillea so you will have the best success .
Bougainvillea is an unbelievable addition to any landscape . This show - stopping beauty produce unremitting blossom that cheer garden envy .
Large bougainvillea vine growing on a wall
Though it seems like it would be unmanageable to wish for , grow bougainvillea is actually very easy in the correct conditions .
This tough , drouth kind vine is excellent for quick covering walls or fences in the garden .
But it does equally well in a container , which can be brought indoors over winter in colder climate .
In this elaborated care guide , you will learn all of the essential information you require to know about how to grow bougainvillea .
Table of Contents
Information About Bougainvillea
Bougainvillea ( also prognosticate Paper Flower ) is aboriginal throughout South and Central America .
This lovely tropical works is a phallus of the Nyctaginaceae family , more commonly acknowledge as the Four O’Clock family .
The bougainvillea that growers enjoy today is a hybrid of B. spectabilis and B. glabra . Which result in a robust , evergreen , woody vine with thorns .
These vigorous works are natural climber that can reach 20′ in elevation . But they also make spectacular pay heed basketball hoop or container plants .
Hardiness
Bougainvillea does not bear cold conditions , as they are only hardy to zones 9 - 11 . The leaf and branches will die back after a backbreaking freeze , but they will regain very quickly .
Those rosy enough to survive in lovesome areas can embed it directly in the garden . The rest of us must grow bougainvillea in a container , and lend it indoors during the winter .
Different Types Of Bougainvillea
The popularity of bougainvillea has led to the development of legion variety on the market . All are beautiful , but here a few exceptional types to weigh :
How To Grow Bougainvillea
The first step toward establishing your novel plant life is to select an appropriate fix . depend on where you live , you may plant bougainvillea in the undercoat , in a pot , or even grow it indoors .
Planting Bougainvillea Outdoors
If you live in zones 9 - 11 , you may plant your bougainvillea outdoors just about anywhere you want . prefer a locating that have full sun and has undecomposed drain .
Since they areclimbing plant life , they look awe-inspiring growing over the top of an archway or pergola , stout fence , or up a paries . you may also train them as a shrub or hedge , if you prefer to keep their size littler .
Growing Bougainvillea In Pots
Bougainvilleas grow great in container , which can be winter indoors in colder climates . pick out a pot that is a few inches wider in diameter than the rootball .
ensure the container has drainage holes in the bottom , and fulfil it with a universal purpose pot mix . Repot once the plant becomes Mary Jane - border .
Bougainvillea Care Indoors
If you ’d care to try grow bougainvillea indoors over the wintertime , then you should bring in it inwardly before frost threatens your area in the decline .
Before the first cleanup frost , significantly prune back your industrial plant . Then bring it indoors , and place it where the nighttime temperatures will get chilly , but not insensate .
Make trusted it go along to receive lots of sunshine , or tot agrow lightif you do n’t have any natural Lord’s Day in your household .
Do not give it fertiliser during the wintertime , and remove any browned leaves as they rise .
Once all risk of hoarfrost has snuff it in the spring , take it back outdoors . Then give it workaday water and fertilizer throughout the originate time of year .
Bougainvillea Plant Care Instructions
Growing bougainvillea is pretty darn easy , and they are very tolerant of frail care . However , for them to perform their good , follow these instructions .
Water
One of the key factor for successful bougainvillea care is proper watering . They do not like to be overwatered . Too much urine will cause root rot , and ultimately kill the plant .
permit the land dry out between waterings , and then give it a bass drunkenness . Slow down on lacrimation during the wintertime month , peculiarly if you ’re conk out to bring it indoors .
Begin giving your bougainvillea more weewee as temperatures fond in mid - leaping . But never allow the soil to stay wet or become soggy .
If you obtain it hard to get this right field , then I commend buying yourself an inexpensivesoil moisture meterto help you out .
Soil
Bougainvillea will grow well in a all-embracing image of soil types , as long as it is never saturate with pee . Plant it in an surface area of your garden where the ground is fast draining .
Although , they do prefer mildly acidic soil ( a pH between 6 - 6.5 is idealistic ) , it ’s not required . you could use apH probeto check the sour , and better alkaline soils withacidic fertilizer .
When plant in rich soil high in constitutional subject , the need for supplemental fertiliser is low . you’re able to enrich poor quality land withworms castingsorcompost .
In a container , utilise ageneral use potting soil . If you find that it holds too much wet , then mix incoarse sandorperliteto improve drain .
Fertilizing
Bougainvilleas are heavy feeders that will do well when pay a consistent fertilizer . This is especially authoritative for the ones you have in containers .
Addslow - firing granulesto the fix at planting prison term , then top - dress them monthly during the springiness and summertime .
melted fertilizer are also great to apply each time you irrigate . plainly addcompost tea dressed ore , liquidfish emulsion , or a water supply - solublefertilizer for blooming plantsto your watering can .
If your grease is alkaline , use anacidic fertilizerinstead . Learn more about fertilizing flowers here .
Sunlight
The most important cistron for right bougainvillea forethought is providing sufficient sunlight . They require at least six hours of full sunshine .
When ripe , healthy plant do not bloom , it ’s almost always make by want of sunlight . So , if you are able to move it , prove incur it a sunnier situation .
Indoors , place it in a south facing window . If you do n’t have enough rude Dominicus , then adding agrow lightwill help a gross ton .
Flowers
One of the best feature of this marvellous specimen is the bright , sunny flower . They will bloom yr round in freeze - free locating .
But the colourful , papery blossoms are not in reality the flower flower petal . alternatively , their splendid colouring hail from the bracts that beleaguer the three invisible ashen flowers .
bet on the variety that you have , the colour of the bract could be anywhere from Battle of Magenta , hot pink , crimson , orangish , or purple .
With the proper forethought , bougainvilleas can even continue bloom through the winter indoors . Though , they do n’t usually bloom as profusely as they will outside .
Plant Pests
A healthy bougainvillea is relatively free of prejudicial blighter . There are a few that can assault your plant life , but they do not normally pose a significant terror .
If you do find a hemipterous insect plague , only expend organic method to treat them . Wash the leaves withinsecticidal soapor use a admixture ofmild fluid soapand H2O .
Neem oilis also a lifelike way to check an outbreak . process the plant regularly until all mark of the infestation are completely drop dead .
Pruning
Regular pruning will result in a better appear plant life . This is true whether it is grown in a container , or planted directly in the ground .
uniform trimming also helps to manage the size and Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe of these fast - produce vines . Or to train them in the configuration of smaller shrubs or bushes in your landscape painting .
Pruning is vital for containerized bougainvilleas , especially if you require to winter them inside . This will make it much more achievable for strike them in and out of door .
The best sentence to trim them is in the decline , or at the end of the growing season . This habit will produce a more attractive plant with a thicker base .
Bougainvillea Propagation Tips
you’re able to diffuse bougainvillea by taking hard or deal cutting , and take root them . For best consequence , take cuttings mid - wintertime through early spring .
Dip the cutting ends intorooting internal secretion , and then amaze them into moist soil . Addbottom heatto quicken up the outgrowth , and keep the air around the cutting humid at all time .
Troubleshooting Common Bougainvillea Care Problems
The hard part of bougainvillea care is when something goes faulty , and you have no idea how to fix it . So , here I will name a few of the most common problem , along with their solutions .
Leaves Falling Off
This is almost always triggered by improper watering – either too much or not enough .
The soil should dry out between watering , but never to the head where the flora droops . It should never be soggy or wet for very long .
Bougainvillea Not Flowering
Most of the time , no flowers intend a want of sunshine . But it could also be triggered by a nutrient inadequacy .
Make trusted it gets at least 6 minute of full sun , and feed it on a regular basis withflower fertilizer .
Not Growing Or Very Slow
Slow increase can be make by a few thing . But , usually it means too much tint , improper watering , or lack of fertilizer .
Yellow Leaves
When the leaves turn yellow , that usually entail it ’s being overwatered .
train the stain every time you irrigate by sticking your finger one in inscrutable , to make trusted it needs it . Amoisture gaugeis a enceinte prick to serve you get it right every fourth dimension .
Bougainvillea Care FAQs
Are coffee grounds good for bougainvillea?
It ’s true that bougainvillea like acidulent soil . However , burnt umber grounds are not the best room to lower the pH. They tote up very little acidity to the dirt . Instead , apply anacidic fertilizer .
It surely wo n’t suffer to conflate them into your garden . But coffee basis mold very chop-chop , so obviate using them in pots and containers .
Can I grow bougainvillea from a cutting?
Yes ! Both hardwood and softwood slip can easy be rooted to make new plants .
How long does it take to grow bougainvilleas?
bougainvillea are very tight growing industrial plant . When give the proper care , they can cover a large pergola , fence , or wall in only a couple of age . They develop much slower in the shade , or when sess - bind .
acquire bougainvillea is much easy than you might think . As long as you prefer the right positioning , and keep abreast the care instructions above , your plant will thrive for many years to total .
