Plant Food for Bougainvillea

Bougainvillea flowers are surrounded by papery bracts.

For a touch of the tropics, plant bougainvillea, a flowering vine that adds a pop of color and interest to the garden. The plant has a fine root system and is a heavy feeder.

Type

The best plant food for bougainvillea is a hibiscus food with iron. Some labels don't specify iron but they list that the product contains micronutrients. Iron is one of the micronutrients, and it helps to encourage colorful blooms.

Timing

Apply the plant food at the rate listed on the label in the spring when you see the first flowers, then again in late summer. When the plant isn't blooming, apply the food bimonthly.

Warnings

Apply a fertilizer that is high in phosphate when you plant the bougainvillea. After that, switch to a balanced formula. While nitrogen and phosphate are important to help the plant bloom, too much nitrogen will cause excessive foliage at the expense of flowering.

References

• Texas A&M University: Growing Bougainvilleas
• Bougainvillea Growers International: Bougainvillea Care and Maintenance
• University of Florida Extension; Warm Climate Production Guidelines For Bougainvillea; Richard Schoellhorn, et al.

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish