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Bougainvillea

Bougainvillea is a native plant of Brazil and is grown widely throughout tropical areas. In these areas it will flower in the winter. It is also a popular outdoor plant in many southern sttes where the winters are mild. In northern areas where the winters are too severe, bougainvillea can be grown very successfully indoors during the colder months and used as a patio plant during the warmer months. I have a beautiful apricot colored bougainvillea, which I have successfully maintained for years.

Winter is the best time of year to buy a bougainvillea because it generally flowers in the winter. Indoors, it does best in strong, indirect sunlight or full sun where the temperature is constantly in the 60. If the temperatures are as low as 40-45 degrees, it will probably drop some leaves. Don't worry about it because they will regrow in March. Water the plant once a week or a bit more often if it appears to dry out. Do not fertilize until the end of January and continue fertilizing with an all-purpose fertilizer through August.

Most bougainvillea flower profusely beginning in March. The flowers form in groups of three. The flowers are generally shades of orange, purple, and scarlet. You can move your bougainvillea outside after danger of frost. Place it in a very sunny location and you will need to water it daily throughout the summer. Don't forget to bring it back inside before temperatures turn cool into the 50s.

After your bougainvillea has stopped blooming, prune all branches back to within 3 or 4 inches of the trunk. You need to prune to promote flowering for the following year.