Photo: Simon ScotlandCC BY 4.0via iNaturalistresized / cropped
Bougainvillea Plant Care
Bougainvillea glabra Choisy
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Bougainvillea glabra, the lesser bougainvillea or paperflower, is the most common species of bougainvillea used for bonsai. The epithet 'glabra' comes from Latin and means "bald".
Every 7–14 days
Full sun
60–90°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Bougainvillea?
Water Bougainvillea every 7–14 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun. It prefers temperatures of 60–90°F (16–32°C) and 40–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 4 months during the growing season. It is reported as toxic to pets, so keep it out of reach of pets.
Where Is the Bougainvillea Native To?
What Is the Bougainvillea?
Bougainvillea (Bougainvillea glabra) belongs to the Nyctaginaceae family within the Bougainvillea genus. Bougainvillea is native to South America, Brazil, Peru. Bougainvillea is also known as Paper Flower, Glory Bush.
Bougainvillea displays a vigorous climber or sprawling shrub growth habit, reaching up to 20 ft tall with a spread of approximately 6 ft. Bougainvillea produces small, tubular white or colorful bracts surrounding small inconspicuous flowers.
Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Bougainvillea?
Bougainvillea glabra requires watering every 7–14 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–14 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Bougainvillea Need?
Bougainvillea thrives in full sun.
Light Requirement
Full sun
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Bougainvillea Prefer?
Bougainvillea glabra grows best at temperatures of 60–90°F. Bougainvillea prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
60–90°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Bougainvillea?
Well-draining, slightly acidic soil with added sand or perlite for improved drainage. Good drainage is essential for Bougainvillea to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Bougainvillea?
Feed Bougainvillea every 4 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 4 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Bougainvillea?
Repot every 2-3 years in early spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Bougainvillea?
Bougainvillea can be propagated through softwood cuttings, hardwood cuttings.
Is the Bougainvillea Toxic to Pets and Children?
Toxic (caution)
Reported as toxic in our plant data. Not verified by the ASPCA.
Mildly toxic to humans and pets if ingested
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Bougainvillea?
Bougainvillea is susceptible to aphids, caterpillars, spider mites. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Bougainvillea Need?
Bougainvillea grows outdoors in USDA Zone 9b – 11b. It survives winters down to planting zone 9b. Bougainvillea is native to South America, Brazil, Peru. In cooler regions, grow Bougainvillea as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 9b – 11b
Keep exploring plants
Bougainvillea is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Bougainvillea genus — compare its care with other Bougainvillea species on PlantoScan.
Bougainvillea is part of the Nyctaginaceae plant family — browse all Nyctaginaceae genera and species.
Bougainvillea thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Bougainvillea glabra Choisy, family Nyctaginaceae (first published in Prodr. 13(2): 437 (1849)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record, Wikidata.
- Pet toxicity: Bougainvillea is reported as toxic to pets in our plant data (not verified by the ASPCA), so treat it with caution. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Photo: Simon Scotland, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 9b – 11b, estimated from the plant's typical growing conditions.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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