Bougainvillea Care Guide

 🌺 Bougainvillea – Care Guide

Bougainvillea is a tough, sun-loving climbing plant that grows very well in warm regions like the Algarve.

☀️ Light

• Needs full sun (at least 6–8 hours daily)
• More sun = more colourful bracts and better flowering
• Poor flowering in shade

💧 Watering

• Low water needs
• Water regularly when young
• Once established, allow soil to dry out between waterings
• Overwatering reduces flowering

🌱 Soil

• Prefers well-drained, slightly sandy soil
• Tolerates poor soils very well
• Does not like waterlogged roots

✂️ Pruning

• Prune after main flowering flush to shape the plant
• Light pruning encourages more flowers
• Can be trained on walls, fences, pergolas, or arches
• Avoid heavy pruning during active flowering season

🌿 Feeding

• Feed lightly in spring and summer
• Too much fertiliser = lots of leaves, fewer 

🌡️ Temperature

• Loves heat and sun
• Performs best in Mediterranean climates
• Sensitive to frost (may lose leaves or die back in cold winters)

🌸 Quick summary

• 🌞 Full sun essential
• 💧 Very drought tolerant
• 🌱 Low maintenance once established