Bougainvillea Planting and Care Guide
Vibrantly-Hued, Water-Saving Bougainvillea
Bougainvillea is a gorgeous, tropical vine that is cold hardy here in San Antonio. Revently added to the list of SAWS Watersaver Coupon Approved Plants, you can find these plants most often in bold hues of magenta, pink, fuchsia, light pink, and red, but sometimes you can find orange, and even yellow.
This quick growing guide covers planting, watering, and basic care so you can enjoy bougainvillea in your garden or containers.
For more info on bougainvillea, see button below.
Quick Care Snapshot
Best Planting Time
Spring, after the danger of frost has passed.
Watering
Allow soil to dry out between waterings.
Light Needs
Full sun.
Cold Protection
Root hardy in our area (San Antonio), but will die back over winter after a freeze and return in spring.
What Makes Bougainvillea Special
The flowers of bougainvillea are actually fairly inconspicuous. It’s their papery bracts that provide their vibrant, neon-fluorescent, color. They attract hummingbirds.
These deciduous, vine-like plants shine as summer-hardy, Texas-tough options July – September when we can have some of our hottest temperatures.
Great in containers, hanging baskets, and sometimes used a protective hedge, where their thorns can make an impenetrable fortress.
Planting and Care
Planting Site and Spacing
Light Exposure
- Full Sun, at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily for optimal growth and vibrant blooms.
- Insufficient sunlight can lead to weak growth and fewer flowers.
Spacing/Growth
- The general rule of thumb is to plant bougainvillea at least 3-5 feet apart.
- Average mature growth for bougainvillea in our area is 8-20′ T x 8-10′ W.
Soil
- Well-draining soil to prevent root rot.
- Bougainvillea tolerate a variety of soil types, but slightly acid soil is preferred.
- Consider amending heavy clay soil with sand or organic matter to improve drainage.
- For containers, use a high quality potting mix and make sure containers have adequate drainage holes.
Watering
- Once established, bougainvillea are drought-tolerant and require minimal watering.
- Water deeply but infrequently, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.
- Overwatering can lead to root rot, so avoid letting the soil stay soggy.
Fertilizer
- Fertilize bougainvillea during the growing season (spring to early fall, or Mar – Oct) with a balanced fertilizer.
- Stop fertilizing during the winter months when the plant is dormant.
Pruning
- Prune after flowering to remove dead or damaged branches and to shape the plant and promote new growth
- You can also prune to control the size and shape of the plant.
Problems and Solutions
Green Foliage/No Color
Cause: Most likely a lack of blooms is due to lack of sufficient light exposure.
Fix: Move bougainvillea to a full sun area; offer a dose of well-balanced fertilizer.
Wilted Plant
Cause: Two things may be happening:
- Root Rot – lack of adequate drainage in container or in ground soil.
- Too dry – lack of water combined with hot temps can make foliage wilt.
Fix: Two things to inspect:
- Double check containers have adequate drainage soil, and/or that ingroud plantings do not contain standing water after watering or rain.
- Learn how to check soil for moisture between watering. Stick finger at least 2″ into soil.
Local Expert Tips
🌿 Rainbow Gardens Tip #1:
Bougainvillea actually prefer to be slightly rootbound, so don’t be quick to bump them up to a bigger container right away.
🌿 Rainbow Gardens Tip #2:
Bougainvillea have significant thorns along its limbs. Thick gloves and arm protection should be used when pruning and handling mature plants.
Visit Us
Find bougainvillea at Rainbow Gardens.
Bandera Location
8516 Bandera Road
San Antonio, TX 78250
(210) 680-2394
Thousand Oaks Location
2585 Thousand Oaks
San Antonio, TX 78232
(210) 494-6131
