Bougainvillea—also known as the paperflower—is a total showstopper for any balcony or patio. When summer hits, these plants explode into a sea of vibrant color that’s hard to beat. But here’s the catch: as much as they love the sun, they are definitely not fans of the cold. If you want yours to survive the winter, you’ve got to bring them indoors.
Winter Hardiness
Let’s clear one thing up right away: Bougainvillea is not winter-hardy. You might hear some people say they can handle temperatures down to 20°F (-7°C), but that’s only for a few hours at most. Honestly, I wouldn’t risk it. These plants start to get stressed the moment the thermometer inches toward freezing. To keep your plant happy, it’s best to keep it away from frost entirely.
Bringing Them Indoors
When exactly should you move your Bougainvillea inside? It really depends on where you live:
- At the very latest, the outdoor season ends before the first frost hits.
- Generally, this happens between September and mid-October.
- If you live in a very mild location, you might be able to stretch it until early November.
By November, it’s definitely time to call it a season. The plant needs a dormant period to recharge so it can bloom beautifully again next year. Plus, during a typical Northern winter, there just isn’t enough sunlight to keep those flowers popping anyway.
Winter Care
Unlike some plants that are fine chilling in a dark basement, a potted Bougainvillea has some specific needs during the winter:
- Plenty of light
- Consistent warmth
The exact temperature depends on the specific variety you have, but a bright sunroom or a heated, well-lit hallway is usually perfect. If you don’t have a greenhouse or sunroom, a spot by a sunny window works great. Just a heads-up: watch out for drafts! They hate the blast of cold air that comes from opening a window nearby during the winter months. Check out more tips on overwintering to keep yours thriving.
Moving Back Outside
Since Bougainvilleas are so sensitive to the cold, don’t rush them back outside until the threat of night frost is completely gone. Usually, that’s around mid-May. However, you can start “waking them up” a bit earlier:
- Starting in March, move your Bougainvillea to an even brighter, warmer spot indoors.
- If the daytime temperatures are mild enough in April, you can let your plant spend the afternoon out on the balcony to get some fresh air—just remember to bring it back in before the sun goes down!
