How to Plant Bougainvillea

Bougainvillea plants can grow to immense sizes.

Bougainvillea plants are tropical vines native to the Brazilian coast. This stunning vine features hanging, cascading stems that produce brightly colored bracts, or modified leaves, which may vary in color from purple to red to orange and other tones. Bougainvillea plants may be grown in the garden, in containers or in hanging baskets that will show off their cascading branches.

Things You'll Need

• Container or hanging basket
• Well-draining soil or potting mix
• Root hormone
• Pruning shears
• Biodegradable peat pot
• Shovel
• High phosphorous, slow-release fertilizer

Instructions

1. Purchase a bougainvillea plant or start a plant by taking cuttings from an existing plant. If purchasing a plant, continue to Step 4. For cuttings, continue to Step 2.

2. Prune off an adult bougainvillea stem and remove all leaves from the bottom half, using sharp pruning shears. Dip the cutting into a root-growth hormone solution. Place the cutting 2 inches deep in a biodegradable peat pot.

3. Water the bougainvillea cutting lightly. Cover it with a plastic bag tied with a rubber band. Poke two or three small holes into the bag for ventilation. Remove the plastic bag when new leaves begin to appear.

4. Prepare a spot in the garden that receives full sun for at least six hours a day. Use a shovel to dig a hole for the garden bougainvillea plant, or fill a container or hanging basket with potting mix. Dig the garden hole at least two times deeper and wider than the plant's root ball. Mix peat moss, wood chips or untreated grass clippings into the soil in the dug hole or the container.

5. Plant the bougainvillea plant or cutting and backfill it with soil to cover the root ball or biodegradable cutting pot. Test the soil often to check for moisture levels. Water when the soil at a depth of 2 or 3 inches feels slightly dry. Do not let the soil totally dry out between waterings.

6. Feed bougainvillea a fertilizer high in phosphorous and other nutrients, such as iron and magnesium. Apply a slow-release fertilizer at the time of planting to avoid problems due to over-fertilizing, such as liberal vegetation growth but few blooms.

References

• Plant-Care: Bougainvillea Care, Light, Water and Soil for the Colorful Blooming Plant
• University of Florida IFAS Extension: Warm Climate Production Guidelines for Bougainvillea