Red spider mites, mealybugs, aphids, and whitefly are possible pests. Alkaline conditions can cause chlorosis, and the stems have curved thorns that need care during handling.
How to care for bougainvillea
Use the sunniest position you can provide for bougainvillea. Adjust water as the mix and season change, and keep the container frost-free.
Plant coveredBougainvillea glabraBougainvillea · Seasonal container · outdoors in warmth, protected before frost
Find a bright, steady position
Light and temperature
Use a bright, sunny position for bougainvillea. Under glass, protect the foliage if intense summer sun causes scorching and acclimate the plant to any stronger exposure.
Keep bougainvillea frost-free. RHS gives about 10°C as a minimum night temperature for the temperate glasshouse or conservatory setting. This is not an outdoor winter recommendation.
Check the mix, drainage and pot
Watering, drainage and repotting
Use a draining container and water during active growth, increasing water in spring and reducing it through autumn and winter. Do not leave the roots saturated for long periods.
Use a large container with peat-free loam-based medium and reliable drainage. No species-specific indoor repotting interval is established.
Feed only during active growth
Fertilizer and active growth
Feed with balanced liquid fertilizer during growth until the bracts color. RHS also describes a higher-potassium option, followed by reduced or stopped feeding in autumn. The source does not set a dose.
Check the visible signs before changing care
Common problems
Use the verdict for this exact plant
Pet safety
Sources
- 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
Pet-safety information for catalog plants uses ASPCA reference data where available. It is reference information, not veterinary advice.