Bougainvillea (Bougainvillea glabra)
Care, watering, light and tips for Bougainvillea on Floravia.
Quick facts
- Family: Nyctaginaceae
- Difficulty: Moderate care
- Watering: every 7 days
- Light: Partial shade
- Temperature: 10–30 °C
- Toxicity: Toxic to pets
About Bougainvillea
Bougainvillea glabra, commonly known as Paperflower or Bougainvillea, is a spectacular climbing shrub renowned for its vibrant, papery bracts that envelop its small white flowers. Native to South America, it's perfect for covering walls, pergolas, or as a potted plant in warm climates, adding an exotic and vivid touch to any landscape.
Native range
South America, specifically Brazil.
Care tips
It demands full sun for profuse blooming and a well-draining substrate. Watering should be moderate, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings to prevent waterlogging, which can be fatal. A common mistake is insufficient light, leading to sparse flowering. Protect from severe cold.
How to save a dying Bougainvillea
- Warning signs
- Yellow or dropping leaves, no blooms, soft stems. Indicates water or nutrient stress.
- First aid
- Check drainage. If dry, water deeply. If waterlogged, aerate soil. Prune dead branches.
- What kills it
- Overwatering, lack of direct sun, or heavy soils. Does not tolerate waterlogging.
- Can it be saved?
- Yes, if roots aren't rotted. With good drainage, sun, and proper watering, it recovers.