Bougainvillea / Paper Flower
Bougainvillea glabra
description
Bougainvillea is a sun-loving woody climber known for vivid papery bracts.
benefits
- Fast-growing
- Suitable for containers
How to care for Bougainvillea
sunlight
In its warm South American habitat, bougainvillea scrambles through open, sunny places. Give it the brightest spot you have indoors or outdoors to encourage the colorful papery bracts.
Full sun
Aim for at least 6 hours of direct sun daily. A south- or west-facing window is best indoors; outdoors, choose an open spot. Low light produces lanky growth and few or no bracts.
watering
Water deeply, then let the potting mix dry partway before watering again. Bougainvillea flowers best when its roots are not kept constantly wet.
Spring and summer
In bright sun, water about every 5-10 days, soaking until water runs from the drainage holes. Check first: the top 2-3 inches of mix should be dry and the pot should feel noticeably lighter. Hot weather, small pots, and terracotta can shorten the interval.
Autumn and winter
As growth slows, water roughly every 2-4 weeks. Let more of the mix dry between drinks, but do not leave the root ball dry for weeks if the plant is warm and actively growing indoors.
humidity
Humidity
Native to warm, seasonally dry parts of South America, bougainvillea prefers warm, airy conditions over steamy air. Average household humidity is suitable: it tolerates about 35-60%, with 40-60% ideal.
Very dry air can cause crisp leaf edges, curling, or leaf drop, though thirsty roots are a more common cause. Check the soil before blaming humidity.
- Use a small humidifier nearby only if the air stays very dry.
- Keep good airflow, especially in humid rooms, to reduce fungal problems.
temperature
Active growth
Winter minimum
Native to warm South American climates, bougainvillea thrives in heat and can handle warmer conditions with strong light and airflow. Cold slows growth and may trigger leaf drop, so bring container plants indoors before nights regularly fall below 10°C (50°F).
nutrition
March - September
Feed every 2-4 weeks while it is actively growing in strong light, using a balanced or bloom fertilizer at about half the label strength. Stop feeding when growth slows in cooler, darker months.
Nitrogen
Nitrogen supports leafy new growth, but too much can produce lots of leaves with fewer colorful bracts. Use a balanced feed rather than a high-nitrogen lawn or foliage fertilizer.
Potassium
Potassium supports sturdy growth and flowering. A fertilizer made for flowering plants usually supplies enough when used lightly and regularly.
soil
Light, gritty, fast-draining soil
Bougainvillea roots dislike staying wet, so use a loose potting mix with added perlite, pumice, or coarse sand. A little compost or bark helps hold enough moisture without making the mix heavy.
pH 5,5 - 6,5
This is slightly acidic soil, which suits nutrient uptake. Most fresh, peat- or bark-based potting mixes fall close to this range, so there is usually no need to adjust it unless your water or soil is very alkaline.