Bougainvillea
Bougainvillea glabra
Bougainvillea is a thorny tropical climbing shrub blanketed in vivid papery bracts of magenta, purple, orange, or red. It thrives in heat and sun and blooms most when kept on the dry side.
- Light
- Full sun
- Water
- Let dry between waterings
- Difficulty
- Moderate
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Overview
Bougainvillea is a sprawling, thorny evergreen vine or shrub from South America, beloved in warm climates for its intense, long-lasting color. The showy "flowers" are actually papery modified leaves called bracts surrounding small, tubular true flowers.
It is a heat- and drought-loving plant that flowers best under bright sun and slight water stress. In frost-free regions it grows rampantly over walls and pergolas; in cold climates it is grown in pots and overwintered indoors.
How to identify it
Recognizable by masses of papery, triangular bracts and sharp thorns.
- Bracts: Thin, papery, triangular, in magenta, purple, red, orange, pink, or white, often in dense clusters
- Flowers: Tiny white or cream tubular blooms at the center of each set of three bracts
- Leaves: Oval, pointed, mid-green, alternate
- Stems: Woody, vigorous, armed with sharp thorns
Care & growing
Bougainvillea blooms best with heat, full sun, and restrained watering.
- Light: Full sun—at least 6 hours for good color
- Water: Allow soil to dry between waterings; overwatering causes lush growth but few bracts
- Soil: Well-draining; tolerant of poor soils
- Temperature: Tropical to subtropical; damaged by frost
- Feeding: Use a bloom-promoting (higher phosphorus) fertilizer during the growing season
- Maintenance: Prune after flushes of bloom to shape and encourage more bracts; wear gloves for the thorns
- Propagation: From stem cuttings
Habitat & origin
Bougainvillea is native to South America, particularly Brazil, Peru, and Argentina, where it grows in warm, sunny coastal and tropical regions.
It is now planted throughout tropical and subtropical areas worldwide and is iconic in Mediterranean, Caribbean, and Southeast Asian landscapes, draping walls, fences, and arbors.
Frequently asked questions
Why isn't my bougainvillea blooming?
Too much water or shade and over-fertilizing with nitrogen prevent blooming. Give it full sun and let it dry out between waterings.
Can bougainvillea survive cold?
No, it is frost-sensitive. In cold climates grow it in a container and bring it indoors for winter.
Are the colorful parts the flowers?
No, the vivid color comes from papery bracts; the true flowers are the small white tubes at their center.
Bougainvillea guides
In-depth guides for identifying, growing, and caring for Bougainvillea.
Bougainvillea identified by the community
Real specimens identified with Plant Identifier.
