🌸 GROWING GUIDE – Bougainvillea

The bougainvillea is famous for its bright and spectacular colors. It likes warmth, sun and very well-drained soil.

Repotting

Use a pot that's too small rather than too large. Bougainvillea flowers best when it's slightly crowded. Use a light potting mix like Promix HP with perlite. Good drainage is essential.

Light

Full sun is essential: 6 to 12 hours of direct sunlight per day. In a greenhouse, it produces an explosive amount of flowers.

Watering

Allow the soil to dry out almost completely between waterings. Bougainvillea hates overwatering. Water deeply and then let it dry out again.

Fertilizer

A fertilizer rich in potassium promotes flowering. Fertilize once a week in summer. Do not fertilize in winter.

Temperature

Ideal temperature: 22 to 35 °C. It suffers below 10 °C.

Bloom

Flowering is triggered by heat, sun, and slight water stress. If the plant grows too much, reduce watering slightly.

Wintering

Keep it in a cool, bright place. Losing a few leaves is normal.

Tropico-Québec Advice

Less water = more flowers. Intense sun = maximum color.