Bougainvillea
Bougainvillea glabra
Climbing Plants Difficulty: Moderate
📖 About this plant
A spectacular climbing shrub renowned for its brilliant papery bracts in shades of pink, purple, red, orange, and white that surround tiny white flowers. Extremely drought-tolerant and heat-loving, it thrives in full sun and produces the most vibrant color display when slightly stressed. One of the most popular ornamental vines in warm climates worldwide.
🧑🌾 Care requirements
☀️
Light
Full sun (6-8 hrs)
💧
Water
Every 1-2 weeks
💨
Humidity
Low to moderate (30-50%)
🌡️
Temperature
10-35°C
🪴
Soil
Well-draining, slightly acidic sandy loam; pH 5.5-6.5; drought-tolerant once established
🧪
Fertilizer
Low-phosphorus, high-potassium fertilizer (5-5-10) every 4-6 weeks in growing season; avoid excess nitrogen
📋 Plant facts
- 🌍 Origin
- South America — Brazil, Peru, Argentina
- 📏 Max height
- 300-900 cm
- 📐 Spread
- 100-500 cm
- 🕰️ Bloom time
- Spring - Fall
- 🎨 Bloom color
- Pink, Purple, Red, Orange
- 🍃 Foliage color
- Green
- ⏳ Lifespan
- Perennial
- 📈 Growth rate
- Fast
- ☠️ Toxicity
- Mildly toxic — thorns can cause skin irritation; sap may cause contact dermatitis
- 🌱 Propagation
- Hardwood cuttings (15-20 cm) in spring, semi-ripe cuttings in summer, or layering
🛡️ Health & Safety
⚠️ Not pet safe
☠️ Toxic
Mildly toxic — thorns can cause skin irritation; sap may cause contact dermatitis
Common issues
- Fewer blooms with too much water or shade, Thorns require careful handling, Aphids and caterpillars on new growth
💡 Care tips
- Drought-tolerant once established so err on dry side,Blooms best when slightly stressed and root-bound,Thorns can be sharp so wear gloves when pruning,Produces stunning bracts in magenta orange red and white
🪴 Add to My Plants
One click — added instantly. Watering every 11 days, fertilizing every 35 days.
