Bougainvillea—also known as the Paperflower—is a total showstopper for any balcony or patio. When summer hits, these beauties explode into a sea of vibrant color. But here’s the secret: if you want that massive floral display, you have to get the potting situation just right.
Container Gardening
Since Bougainvillea can’t handle a frosty American winter outdoors (unless you’re in a tropical zone like South Florida or Southern California), keeping them in pots on your balcony or deck is the way to go. You *can* plant them directly in the garden for the summer, but you’ll have to dig them back up in the fall. A pro tip? Just bury the whole pot in the ground after the last spring frost—it makes moving them indoors much easier when the weather turns.
Choosing the Right Pot
The best pot for your Bougainvillea depends on its size, but here’s a golden rule: don’t go too big. These plants actually like being a little snug. If the pot is oversized:
- It looks a bit awkward visually, as the pot overwhelms the plant.
- You’ll get fewer flowers because the plant will spend all its energy growing roots to fill the space instead of blooming.
Drainage is Key
Your pot absolutely must have at least one drainage hole. Bougainvilleas are notorious for hating “wet feet” (standing water). To keep them happy, make sure excess water can flow out freely, and always empty the saucer after watering.
I also recommend adding a drainage layer at the bottom of the pot to keep things moving. You can use:
- Broken terracotta shards (from an old pot)
- Pea gravel
- Crushed stone
Using a Trellis
If you want your Bougainvillea to climb—which many varieties love to do—make sure to anchor your trellis directly into the pot or planter. This way, the whole setup can move indoors together when winter arrives.
While you can prune your Bougainvillea before moving it inside, cutting it back too aggressively every single year will prevent it from ever reaching its full, majestic size.
The Best Soil Mix
Bougainvilleas aren’t too picky about soil, but they do appreciate a mix that is peat-free. A high-quality potting mix designed for container plants works great because it’s airy and well-draining. If you want to DIY your own “perfect” blend, try this recipe:
- 70% high-quality potting soil
- 15% lava rock or perlite
- 15% quartz sand
For a little slow-release nutritional boost, mix in some horn meal or a similar organic fertilizer into the soil.
Repotting
Every two to three years, your Bougainvillea will need a “wardrobe change.” Even though they like being cozy, they can’t stay in tiny shoes forever! To make sure your plant keeps blooming after repotting—rather than just growing a bunch of green leaves—only move up to a pot that is slightly larger than the previous one.
