Bougainvillea spectabilis aka Great Bougainvillea

Taxonomy

Bougainvillea spectabilis, also known as great bougainvillea, is a rapid-growing and climbing species of flowering plant native to Central and South America, including Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, and Argentina's Chubut Province. This tropical perennial shrubby vine is a prolific bloomer, available in a variety of colors including hot pink, red, purple, lavender, yellow, orange, pale pink, white, and white with pink-tipped edges. Bougainvillea thrives in warm climates with full sun and good drainage, and supports itself on other plants using curved thorns and quasi-twining stems. It's best suited to a hot, dry climate and should be watered deeply but allowed to dry out between waterings.

Common names

Great Bougainvillea, Bougainvillea, Paper Flower

How to care for Great Bougainvillea

Difficulty

If you're looking for a plant that offers a moderate level of challenge, Great Bougainvillea is a great choice to test your gardening skills.

Water

Great Bougainvillea should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Soil

Great Bougainvillea loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.

Lighting

Great Bougainvillea requires abundant, bright, and direct light to thrive. The best placement for this plant is within one foot of a window to ensure it receives enough light. If you live in an area with more extreme weather, such as hot summers or cold winters, you may need to adjust the placement of the plant accordingly. During hot summer months, it is important to place the plant away from full sun, as this can cause the leaves to yellow or burn. During cold winter months, it is best to move the plant closer to the window to take advantage of the extra light that can help it survive. By keeping an eye on the current weather in your area, you can make sure your Bougainvillea is always in the right place to thrive.

Dormancy

During the cold period, it is common for Great Bougainvillea to go dormant, resulting in a slowdown of growth. To accommodate this, waterings should be spaced out more.

Toxicity

There is no verified data on the toxicity of this plant in the records of Ploi. If any person, including yourself, a family member, or a pet, consume plant material with an uncertain toxicity level, it is advisable to seek the advice of a healthcare expert.


More info:
Wikipedia