Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 2: Planting bougainvillea
• Method 2 of 2: Caring for bougainvillea
• Tips
• Warnings
• Necessities

Bougainvillea is a tropical plant that blooms with colorful flowers for 11 months a year, when planted in the right climate. It is a shrub-like climbing vine that climbs walls and trellises, and is left over every year if not exposed to cold temperatures. To learn how to plant and care for bougainvillea, see Step 1 and beyond.

To step

Method 1 of 2: Planting bougainvillea

1. Decide whether to plant in the ground or in a pot. Bougainvillea does well in places that are hot and relatively dry. If you want to keep bougainvillea outside all year round, it is best in hardiness zone 9 or higher. If you are in a colder, wetter zone, you can still grow bougainvillea if you put this plant in a pot and indoors in the winter.
   • Bougainvillea do best when the temperature does not fall below 15 degrees at night and the temperature does not exceed 38 degrees during the day.
   • Bougainvillea can hibernate in the basement or another place with little light.
2. Plant the bougainvillea. Dig a hole as deep as the bougainvillea plant's root ball. Put a phosphate-rich fertilizer in the hole to promote root growth and help the flowers bloom. Lift the bougainvillea plant out of the package and put the root ball of moisture in the hole. Lightly press the soil around the base of the plant.
   • If you want the bougainvillea to climb a trellis or wall, plant it near this structure. During growth, you must "train" the plant to climb up it by gently wrapping it around the base.
   • If you are planting the bougainvillea in a pot, get one with plenty of drainage holes, as bougainvilleas hate "wet feet."

Method 2 of 2: Caring for bougainvillea

1. Fertilize regularly. Give the plant a phosphate-rich fertilizer every few months to keep the flowers blooming. Fertilizing too often can cause the plant to grow wild, so if you notice it getting too big, use less fertilizer.
   • Make sure to fertilize at least once a year, when spring sets in, to help start growth in the season.
2. Lead the bougainvillea. Bougainvillea plants need support to cover a wall, fence, or other surface. If you want the plant to grow in a vertical position, you can hang rows of wire or twine on the surface you want to cover. Periodically tuck the bougainvillea branches behind these guides. Keep a close eye on the growth and make adjustments as needed until the bougainvillea starts to cover the wall or other surface.

Tips

• Do not overwater bougainvillea; this can prevent flowering and in the worst case cause rot, spoilage and loss of the plant.
• In general, bougainvillea is relatively pest-free. Worms, aphids and moths can be a problem.

Warnings

• Wear gloves and sleeve guards when pruning.

Necessities

• Phosphate-rich fertilizer