Bougainvillea care
Bougainvillea spp. — also called Paper flower. Everything below is the same data Plantroster uses to schedule care for this species.
Care at a glance
| Light | Full sun. Tolerates full sun. Needs 6+ hours of direct sun to bloom at all. |
|---|---|
| Water | About every 7 days in summer, every 21 in winter. Let the top 3" dry first. |
| Soil | Fast-draining succulent mix — 4 parts potting mix, 4 parts pumice, 2 parts sand |
| Humidity | At least 20%, happiest near 45% |
| Temperature | 70–100°F. Cold damage below 32°F; heat stress in sun above 110°F. |
| Feeding | Every ~45 days while actively growing. Nothing in winter. |
| Repotting | Every 3 years, or when roots circle the pot |
| Tap water | Tolerates tap water |
| Pets & children | Low toxicity, but the thorns cause nasty skin reactions. |
What people get wrong about bougainvillea
The colorful parts are bracts, not petals. Withholding water slightly is the standard trick to force bloom.
Extremely root-sensitive — disturb the rootball as little as possible when planting.
Common problems
Watch for aphids, caterpillars, spider mites. Check leaf undersides monthly — backlighting a leaf against a window is the fastest way to catch mite webbing before an infestation takes hold.
Plantroster tracks this plant's watering, feeding and repotting cadence against your actual weather — and tells you when a cold night or heatwave means moving it.
Open PlantrosterBougainvillea FAQ
How often should I water a bougainvillea?
Roughly every 7 days in the growing season and every 21 days in winter, but treat that as a starting point rather than a rule — light, pot size and your home's warmth all shift it. Deep but infrequent. It blooms BEST when kept slightly dry — constant water gives you leaves and no color.
Is bougainvillea toxic to cats and dogs?
No. Low toxicity, but the thorns cause nasty skin reactions.
How much light does a bougainvillea need?
Full sun is ideal, and it will cope with full sun. Needs 6+ hours of direct sun to bloom at all.
Why does my bougainvillea have brown tips?
Bougainvillea is not fluoride-sensitive, so brown tips here usually point to inconsistent watering or fertilizer salts built up in old soil. Flush the pot thoroughly and keep to a steadier watering rhythm.
What soil is best for bougainvillea?
Fast-draining succulent mix: 4 parts potting mix, 4 parts pumice, 2 parts sand. Succulents and dracaenas rot in moisture-retentive mixes. Grit is the whole point.
Other plant guides
General horticultural guidance, not a substitute for inspecting your own plant. Toxicity notes are a starting point — if a pet or child has eaten part of a plant, contact a vet or poison control rather than relying on this page.