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Bougainvillea

Bougainvillea glabra

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Bougainvillea · Bougainvillea glabra

A vivid accent for ideas around sunny balconies and courtyards.

Care and placement

Needs full sun (6–8 hours), a fast-draining mix, deep watering then drying out; a slightly pot-bound, mildly dry-stressed plant bears the most bracts; thorns are curved.

Draft mature dimensions

Maximum height (cm): 400 cm · Maximum spread (cm): 300 cm

Things to consider

NC State Plant Toolbox does not flag Bougainvillea as poisonous, though that is not absolute proof of safety; the curved 2.5–5 cm thorns can injure. Wear thick gloves when pruning and site it away from paths and children.

Unknown evidence does not mean safe. Decorative plants are not automatically edible.

Information is compiled from multiple reputable sources for reference. If you spot an error, please contact us so we can check and update it.

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How to grow and care for it

  1. Planting and pot

    Plant in sun in fast-draining soil (sandy loam with perlite or coarse sand) in pots with drainage holes. Do not rush into a bigger pot since it flowers best slightly root-bound. Provide a trellis or post to tie to.

  2. Light

    At least 6–8 hours of direct sun; light afternoon shade is acceptable in very hot places. Dense shade weakens it and cuts flowering. Acclimatise over about a week when moving from low light to harsh sun to avoid bleaching.

  3. Watering

    Drought-tolerant and blooms under mild water stress: let the mix dry 5–7 cm down before a deep watering. Overwatering causes root rot.

  4. Feeding

    Low-nitrogen feed every 4–6 weeks from spring to late summer; stop in autumn and winter. Excess nitrogen gives leaves instead of bracts.

  5. Pruning

    Prune hard after each bloom cycle to force flower-bearing new wood (or do the main pruning in late winter to early spring, per source); remove dead and crossing stems and thin congestion. Wear thick gloves because of the thorns.

  6. Propagation

    Semi-ripe cuttings 8–12 cm from non-flowering shoots in late spring to summer: strip lower leaves, lightly wound the base, dip in rooting hormone and set in a sharply drained mix (50% perlite, 50% coarse sand or fine bark); keep warm and humid.

  7. Pests and common problems

    Bougainvillea looper caterpillars (hand-pick at night, prune heavily infested shoots); aphids, spider mites, mealybugs and whiteflies cause speckling, webbing and sticky residue — improve airflow and use insecticidal soap or neem. Root rot if overwatered.

  8. For more flowers

    For a blaze of bracts: maximum sun, sparing water so it stays slightly dry, a snug pot, low-nitrogen feeding and pruning after each flush. Holding back on water and fertilizer is the most effective trigger.