29 saves
Bougainvillea
We track 5 varieties; the ones most used by real gardeners.
The 5 most-saved Bougainvillea varieties
2 species of Bougainvillea
Each one is a parent of the varieties above.
Track your Bougainvillea in Sow
Save the Bougainvillea you grow and get care reminders timed to your zone.
How to grow Bougainvillea
Whats common across all Bougainvillea varieties in our catalog — drawn from the care records of the 5 most-grown of them.
The Bougainvillea year
- PruneMarch, October and November100% of varieties
Prune immediately after major flowering flushes to shape the vine and encourage branching.
- FertilizeApril, June and July100% of varieties
Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer monthly during the active spring and summer growth periods.
- Check for PestsJune–August80% of varieties
Inspect leaf undersides and stems for aphids, mealybugs, and spider mites during hot, dry weather.
- Winter PrepNovember and December80% of varieties
Protect container plants from freezing temperatures or move them indoors to a bright, frost-free location.
Do
- Grow in maximum, unhindered full sun to ensure vibrant bract color.
- Ensure excellent soil drainage to prevent root rot.
- Prune immediately after a flowering flush to shape the plant and encourage new buds.
- Wear thick gloves when handling the stems to protect against sharp thorns.
- Allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings to trigger heavier blooming.
Avoid
- Do not overwater or allow the roots to sit in soggy, waterlogged soil.
- Do not over-fertilize with high-nitrogen feeds, which produces lush green leaves at the expense of colorful bracts.
- Do not cut deeply into old, leafless woody stems where buds fail to break.
- Do not plant in heavy alkaline soils to avoid foliage chlorosis.
What goes wrong with Bougainvillea
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Aphids | Curling, distorted new growth accompanied by sticky honeydew residue. | Wash the foliage with a strong stream of water or apply insecticidal soap. |
| Spider Mites | Fine stippling on leaves and delicate webbing on the undersides under hot, dry conditions. | Increase local humidity, wash foliage, or apply horticultural oils. |
| Scale Insects | Waxy, raised bumps on stems and leaf yellowing. | Scrape off manually or treat with systemic insecticide or horticultural oil. |
| Mealybugs and Scale | Cottony white masses or raised brown bumps on stems and leaves, leading to yellowing foliage. | Apply horticultural oil or systemic insecticides to control infestations. |
| Root Rot | Wilting, yellowing leaves, and mushy, blackened roots caused by waterlogged soil. | Improve soil drainage, reduce irrigation frequency, and discard severely infected plants. |
| Powdery Mildew | White, powdery fungal growth on leaves and bracts in humid, stagnant air. | Improve air circulation and apply a copper-based fungicide if severe. |
| Powdery mildew | White fungal dust on foliage, typically occurring during humid periods with poor air circulation. | Improve plant spacing, reduce overhead watering, and apply a suitable fungicide. |
Making more Bougainvillea
Semi-hardwood cuttings
- Cut a 4-to-6-inch section of semi-hardwood stem just below a leaf node in late spring.
- Remove the lower leaves, leaving only two or three leaves at the tip of the cutting.
- Dip the cut end into rooting hormone powder to encourage rapid root development.
- Insert the cutting into a moist, well-draining propagation mix and keep in a warm, humid environment.
Stem Cuttings
- Take semi-hardwood cuttings from healthy stems during the active growing season.
- Dip the cut ends in rooting hormone to encourage root development.
- Insert the cuttings into a well-draining, moist propagation medium.
- Maintain high humidity and warm temperatures until roots establish.
Bougainvillea questions
How many types of Bougainvillea are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 5 distinct Bougainvillea varieties. The most popular — ranked by 29 real gardeners — are shown first above.
What zones does Bougainvillea grow in?
Across its varieties, Bougainvillea covers USDA Zones 9–10. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Bougainvillea bloom?
Most Bougainvillea varieties bloom in early summer, spring. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Bougainvillea should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.