Sometimes, your Bougainvillea just refuses to show off those vibrant pops of color we all love. Without those signature bright bracts, it’s really just a shadow of its usual self—and definitely not the tropical showstopper you were hoping for all season. So, how do you get those colorful bracts to finally make an appearance?
Why Isn’t It Blooming?
There isn’t always just one culprit when it comes to a lack of blooms. Often, it’s a combination of a few different factors that are keeping your plant in “green-only” mode.
- The wrong location
- Waterlogging (soggy feet!)
- Lack of nutrients
- Skipping the pruning shears (or pruning at the wrong time)
The Wrong Location
During the blooming season, Bougainvillea needs tons of direct sunlight and bright light. If it’s stuck in the shade, it simply won’t produce those gorgeous colors. Beyond just light, these plants crave heat and good air circulation. If your plant is struggling, a move to a sunnier, warmer “sweet spot” is usually the first step to success.
By the way, even if you’re growing a Bougainvillea bonsai, it’ll love spending its summer outdoors in the sun. Just remember that once fall hits, every Bougainvillea needs to head indoors to overwinter. Keep its winter quarters on the cooler side so it can actually rest; if it stays too warm all winter, it might be too “tired” to bloom well the following season.
Waterlogging
Don’t get me wrong—during the peak growing season, Bougainvilleas are thirsty plants. However, they hate sitting in water. The best rule of thumb? Only water when the top layer of soil feels dry to the touch. Always empty the saucer shortly after watering so the roots aren’t drowning. This is also why a pot with a large drainage hole is a must. Adding a drainage layer of stones, gravel, or sand at the bottom of the pot works wonders, too. And remember: dial the water way back during the winter months.
Pro Tip:
Try to use soft water (like rainwater) for your Bougainvillea. They aren’t big fans of the lime found in hard tap water.
Nutrient Deficiency
As soon as you see that first bit of new growth in the spring, it’s time to start fertilizing every four weeks. Once the blooming season actually kicks off, you’ll want to step it up to every two weeks. This is also the time to switch from a standard green plant fertilizer to a bloom-boosting formula. The only exception? If you’ve just repotted into fresh soil, give the fertilizer a break for a few weeks while the plant settles in.
Missing or Incorrect Pruning
Older Bougainvilleas need a bit of thinning out in the summer to keep the air flowing. But the real secret to more color is encouraging branching. Why? Because those colorful bracts (which people often mistake for petals) only grow at the ends of the shoots. The best time for a major “haircut” is February or March before the new growth starts. Prune the side shoots back significantly to encourage a bushy shape. Then, once a blooming cycle finishes, cut the spent shoots back by half to trigger a second flush of flowers.
Pro Tip:
Don’t let those clippings go to waste! You can use semi-ripe, non-woody stems for propagation. Take tip cuttings about 8–12 inches long, pop them in potting soil, and keep them warm (at least 75°F) with high humidity. With a little patience, they’ll eventually take root!
