To keep your Bougainvillea (also known as the Paperflower) soaking up all the water and nutrients it needs, those roots need some breathing room. Think of it like this: if your shoes are two sizes too small, you aren’t going to be very productive! The same goes for your plants.
When and how often?
Bougainvillea doesn’t just grow upward; it’s busy under the soil, too. To keep it thriving, you’ll need to provide a new pot and fresh soil on a regular basis. Generally, you should repot every two to three years. At the very latest, it’s time to move when:
- You see roots poking out of the drainage holes.
- The soil surface starts lifting up because the roots are pushing it.
The best time to do this is in early spring, right before the new growth starts. This gives the roots plenty of time to get settled in their new home.
The Repotting Process
Since you’re already getting your hands dirty, this is the perfect time to inspect the roots for any diseases or rot. It’s also a great opportunity to take some cuttings for propagation!
Choosing the Right Pot Size
Size matters when it comes to your new container. If you go too big, the plant looks a bit lost, but more importantly, the Bougainvillea will spend all its energy growing roots to fill the space. That means it’ll neglect the top of the plant, and you’ll miss out on those gorgeous blooms.
Stick to a pot that is just a bit larger than the old one. A good rule of thumb is to have about two fingers of space between the root ball and the edge of the pot.
Soil and Drainage
If there’s one thing a potted Bougainvillea hates, it’s “wet feet.” To avoid root rot, make sure your pot has at least one drainage hole. You should also create a drainage layer at the bottom using:
- Broken terracotta shards
- Gravel or crushed stone
As for the soil, Bougainvillea isn’t too picky. The most important things are that the mix is:
- Well-draining
- Loose and airy
A high-quality potting soil or container mix works perfectly. For an extra boost, mix in some compost or wood shavings as a slow-release fertilizer. If your plant liked the brand of soil it was in before, stick with that—just make sure it’s a fresh bag!
Setting the Plant
You can usually handle smaller plants solo, but for the big guys, you might want to grab a friend to help. Here’s the step-by-step:
- Carefully lift the Bougainvillea out of its old pot.
- Gently shake off the excess soil.
- Loosen up the root ball a bit.
- Trim away any weak, old, diseased, or dried-out roots.
- Add a layer of soil over your drainage material in the new pot.
- Center the plant in the container.
- Fill in the gaps with fresh soil.
- Tap the sides of the pot occasionally to help the soil settle.
- Press down lightly to secure it.
- Give it a good drink of water.
Repotting Without Sizing Up
If you want your Bougainvillea to stay the size it is, it still needs fresh soil to stay healthy. In this case, you can reuse the old pot (if it’s still in good shape). To make it fit properly again, you’ll need to prune the roots back slightly so the plant sits comfortably in its “favorite” container. While you’re at it, double-check that your drainage layer isn’t clogged up!
