A bougainvillea or three Marys or spring it is not a typical houseplant – in its natural state it is a vine and bush with formidable thorns, often found outdoors (climbing a trellis or a fence) or in gardens in subtropical to tropical climates.
Native to South America, the bougainvillea is named after Louis Antoine de Bougainville, a sailor and French colonist during the late 1700’s. .
It is known for its green foliage and vibrant shades of pink, purple and orange that most people assume are the flowers of the plant – however, it is the petal-like bracts that hide the true bougainvillea flowers, which are typically small white buds. or yellow.
The shrub is surprisingly easy to grow in containers or pots and can thrive if the right conditions are maintained.
Botanical name Bougainvillea Common name Bougainvillea, spring, tres marias. Plant type Evergreen shrub Size 4.5 m to 12 m tall, 4.5 m to 12 m wide (outdoors); 60 to 1.80 m tall, 30 cm to 90 cm wide (indoor) Sun exposure Full sun Soil type Moist but well draining Soil pH Acidic Flowering time Spring, summer, autumn Flower color Pink, purple , red, yellow Native area South America Toxicity Slightly toxic to pets
bougainvillea care
Despite its showy nature, bougainvillea is notnot particularly high maintenance. The vine bush typically blooms three times a year, and once established it often falls dormant and loses its leaves, bracts, and flowers during the colder winter months.
It thrives best in tropical or semi-tropical environments and therefore will require a lot of water and sunlight whether planted indoors or outdoors.
Bougainvillea needs to be trimmed to maintain its shape, but too aggressively pruning the new growth will reduce the flower color. The best approach is to prune in the fall after the growing season is over so the plant will flower from the next season’s growth.
Lighting
Bougainvillea are sunlight lovers and need full daily exposure to prosper. Because of this, many growers choose to move their bougainvillea into outdoor pots during the summer months to ensure they receive enough lightning.
During the winter months (or if you choose to keep your plant indoors full time), opt for a sunny spot near a large window and consider moving your plant around the house as the day progresses to get enough light. Another important note: the color saturation of your bougainvillea is related to the amount of sunlight it receives – more light equals brighter tones.
Ground
When it’s about ground, bougainvillea plants thrive in a moist but well-draining potting mix that is slightly acidic (between a pH level of 5.5 and 6.0). Cover your mix with compost to ensure rich, nutritious soil, and opt for a pot with at least one drainage hole in the base to lessen the risk of root rot.
Water
Keep your plant evenly moist during the spring, summer, and fall months, and almost dry in the winter (bougainvillea blooms best with drier winter conditions). Water your bougainvillea as much as possible and allow the first few inches or so of soil to dry out before watering again.
A lot of water can lead to excessively green growth and eventually root rot; too little water, and the plant may wither.
Temperature and Humidity
Bougainvillea is a relatively hardy plant, able to withstand a range of temperatures, from tropical highs of 26°C and above, to below 10°C. That said, for your bougainvillea to really thrive indoors, keep temperatures around 17°C to 21°C.
Due to its tropical origins, humidity is also helpful – there’s no need to spray the plant, but if your home is particularly dry, a small humidifier near your plant can help.
Fertilizer
The bougainvillea requires lots of nutrition to produce flowers all season long, especially indoors (where nearly all plants are less likely to flower as often). For the best chance of a successful full plant, feed your bougainvillea every seven to ten days using a weak liquid fertilizer.
There are several mixtures of fertilizers specifically aimed at bougainvillea on the market, but one formulated for other tropical plants, such as hibiscus, may also work.
Potting and Replanting
To the choose a vase to plant your bougainvillea, always opt for a larger size than you think you need. Bougainvillea spreads quickly and, in the right environment, quickly grows into small trees or large shrubs several meters tall.
To keep things manageable in containers, control the plant’s growth with annual repotting and spring root pruning. Once the plant is big enough, try to replant it every couple of years.
Common Pests and Diseases
Outdoors, bougainvillea can suffer from a few pests, most notably the bougainvillea caterpillar, which feeds on the plant’s leaves. However, when indoors, keep an eye out for mealybugs.
To the mealybugs they most often appear on the stems and leaves of a plant, identifiable by the white, fuzzy mass they create as they clump together. They feed on new growth, eventually damaging the leaves and causing them to yellow and die. To rid your bougainvillea of mealybugs, treat it with neem oil weekly until they die.
*Via The Spruce