Paper Flower Plant Care
Bougainvillea spectabilis Willd.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Bougainvillea spectabilis, also known as great bougainvillea, is a species of flowering plant. It is native to Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, and Argentina's Chubut Province.
Every 7–14 days
Full sun
60–90°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Paper Flower?
Water Paper Flower 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.
What Is the Paper Flower?
Paper Flower (Bougainvillea spectabilis) belongs to the Nyctaginaceae family within the Bougainvillea genus. Paper Flower is native to Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, and Argentina's Chu. Paper Flower is also known as Great Bougainvillea.
Paper Flower displays a vigorous climber or sprawling shrub growth habit, reaching up to 20 ft tall with a spread of approximately 6 ft. Paper Flower produces small, tubular white or colorful bracts surrounding small inconspicuous flowers.
Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Paper Flower?
Bougainvillea spectabilis 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 Paper Flower Need?
Paper Flower thrives in full sun.
Light Requirement
Full sun
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Paper Flower Prefer?
Bougainvillea spectabilis grows best at temperatures of 60–90°F. Paper Flower prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
60–90°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Paper Flower?
Well-draining, slightly acidic soil with added sand or perlite for improved drainage. Good drainage is essential for Paper Flower to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Paper Flower?
Feed Paper Flower 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 Paper Flower?
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 Paper Flower?
Paper Flower can be propagated through softwood cuttings, hardwood cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to bougainvillea plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Paper Flower 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 Paper Flower?
Paper Flower 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 Paper Flower Need?
Paper Flower grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Paper Flower is native to Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, and Argentina's Chu. In cooler regions, grow Paper Flower as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
Paper Flower 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.
Paper Flower 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 spectabilis Willd., family Nyctaginaceae (first published in Sp. Pl., ed. 4 , 2: 348 (1799)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Paper Flower 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.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 13a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- 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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