Bougainvillea (Bougainvillea glabra) is one of the easiest plants for beginners. Sheets of bright papery bracts in pink, magenta, orange or white. Loves heat and sun, ideal for Indian summers.
Buy this plant online from our store, and use this guide for everything from light and watering to common problems and propagation.
Table of Contents
Why Choose This Plant?
Key benefits: heat loving, colourful, low water. Train it over a pergola, boundary wall or terrace railing for a colourful display.
This plant is one of the easiest plants for beginners, and it stays a manageable size: a mature plant reaches about 1-3 m, and it is a climber. Good spots include: terrace, boundary wall, balcony.
Every plant we ship is healthy, well rooted and supplied in a nursery pot, so you can start growing it as soon as it arrives.
Plant Details at a Glance
- Botanical name: Bougainvillea glabra
- Also known as: Paper Flower
- Care level: Very easy
- Mature size: 1-3 m, climber
- Best placement: Terrace, boundary wall, balcony
- Light: Full sun (6+ hrs)
- Watering: Every 3-4 days; less in winter
- Pet safety: Mildly irritant (thorns)
Bougainvillea Care Guide
Light Requirements
Light requirement: full sun (6+ hrs). More sun means more flowers, so choose the brightest spot you have. In peak summer, young or newly bought plants appreciate a little afternoon shade for the first week or two while they adjust.
Watering Schedule
Recommended watering: every 3-4 days; less in winter. Water deeply at the base of the plant, ideally in the morning, rather than sprinkling the leaves. Check the soil first: it should be slightly moist, never soggy. Pots dry out quickly in summer, so check daily during heatwaves.
Soil and Potting Mix
Recommended mix: Rich loamy mix: 40% garden soil, 30% compost/vermicompost, 20% cocopeat, 10% sand. Use a large pot with drainage holes, as flowering plants need room for roots. Top up the soil with fresh compost every few months and repot every one to two years in the cooler months.
Fertilizer and Feeding
Vermicompost + bone meal every 3-4 weeks; potash-rich organic feed during flowering. Always water the plant before feeding, and never apply more than the recommended amount.
Temperature and Climate
Ideal temperature range: 15-38?C. Most flowering plants love warmth and sun, but extreme heat above 40?C can cause bud drop. Provide light shade and extra water during heatwaves, and protect tender plants from frost in winter.
How to Propagate It at Home
Take 15-20 cm hardwood cuttings in spring and plant them in a well-drained mix. Rooting can be slow.
Propagating is a simple, low-cost way to fill more pots or share plants with friends and family.
Common Bougainvillea Problems and Solutions
The most common issue is fewer blooms if overwatered or over-fertilised. Our pro tip: let it dry a little to trigger more flowers.
Inspect new shoots and buds for aphids, whiteflies and mealybugs. Spray diluted neem oil in the evening every 10-15 days, and remove spent flowers and dry leaves regularly to keep the plant healthy.
Where to Place It and Pet Safety
Best spots: terrace, boundary wall, balcony. Keep it out of reach of pets and small children, and contact a vet if any part is chewed or swallowed.
What You Will Receive
You will receive one live, healthy plant in a nursery pot, packed securely to arrive in good condition. Plants are natural products, so leaf size, shape and pattern can vary slightly from the photos.
To keep it thriving, we suggest pairing it with: vermicompost + potting mix from our store.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my bougainvillea not flowering?
Too much water, too much fertilizer or too little sun is the usual cause. Reduce watering, give full sun and use a low-nitrogen feed.
How often should I water this plant?
Our recommended schedule: every 3-4 days; less in winter. Always adjust to the season and check the soil first.
Is this plant good for beginners?
This plant is one of the easiest plants for beginners. Follow the care guide above and you should see steady growth.
Want to learn more about the botany? Read the Bougainvillea glabra overview on Wikipedia.
Explore more flowering plants in our store, or pair this plant with Sadabahar Plant (Periwinkle) and Adenium (Desert Rose).
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