Bougainvillea care guide
Bougainvillea glabra
Quick answer
Water your Bougainvillea when the top 3 cm (1.2 in) of soil feel dry. In summer that’s typically every 6 to 8 days.
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- Light
- Bright / direct light
- Typical interval
- Every 6 to 8 days · summer
Every 11 to 17 days · winter - Climate
- 10–29 °C (50–84 °F)
- Humidity
- 40–60%
- Pet safety
- Toxic to cats and dogs
When and how to water
3 cm (1.2 in)
- Summer · Jun–AugEvery 6 to 8 days
- Winter · Dec–FebEvery 11 to 17 days
Use room-temperature water and let any excess drain. Never leave the pot sitting in standing water.
Adjust the timing for the light at the plant, the pot’s size and material, and the humidity indoors. Terracotta dries faster than glazed ceramic.
Light and placement
Bright / direct light
Bougainvillea needs several hours of direct sun. Turn the pot every week so it grows evenly. Place it directly in front of a south- or southwest-facing window.
Feeding
Feed your Bougainvillea every 14 days while it’s actively growing. Use a balanced liquid houseplant fertilizer at half the strength on the label, and only on soil that’s already damp. Feeding dry roots can scorch them.
When growth pauses, skip the fertilizer and let it rest.
Temperature & humidity
Climate10–29 °C (50–84 °F)
Humidity40–60%
During leafy growth, aim for 10–29 °C (50–84 °F). For routine indoor care, keep it above about 10 °C (50 °F) and avoid cold drafts. This is a care guideline, not an exact damage threshold. Cooler overwintering depends on the species and its rest conditions.
It does best at 40–60% humidity. It doesn’t need misting.
Overwintering bougainvillea
Bring bougainvillea in before the first frost and keep it bright with nights of at least 10 °C (50 °F). Cooler but frost free, it usually survives but drops many leaves.
Toxic to pets?
Yes. Keep it out of reach.
Pet-safe alternatives with similar light
Common questions
How often should I water a Bougainvillea?
Water your Bougainvillea (Bougainvillea glabra) when the top 3 cm (1.2 in) of soil feel dry. In summer, that’s typically every 6 to 8 days. In winter, slow down to every 11 to 17 days.
Sources3 references
- Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew: Plants of the World OnlineTaxonomy · accepted name · classification
- Royal Horticultural SocietyLight · water · compost · feeding · temperature · seasonal movement · pruning · pests
- North Carolina State University Extension Gardener Plant ToolboxLight · well-drained soil · dry-down · alkaline chlorosis · thorns · pruning
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