Greetings from the world of vibrant color and sun-loving energy! We are bougainvilleas, and while we are often seen sprawling over vast trellises, we are more than happy to bring our spectacular show to your patio or balcony through the art of container gardening. To truly thrive in a pot, we have some specific needs that must be met. Think of it as a partnership; you provide the right foundation, and we will provide an unforgettable display.
Our first requirement is a suitable home. We are vigorous growers with strong, expansive root systems. Therefore, we need a container that is large enough to accommodate us. A pot with a minimum diameter of 18-24 inches is ideal to prevent us from becoming root-bound too quickly, which can stress us and limit our growth. Most importantly, the pot must have excellent drainage holes. We despise having our roots sit in soggy soil; it is the fastest way to make us sick with root rot. The soil you choose is equally critical. Please use a high-quality, well-draining potting mix. A blend formulated for palms or citrus, which is slightly acidic and free-draining, is perfect for us. Avoid heavy, water-retentive soils like garden soil, which will compact in the pot and suffocate our roots.
We are children of the sun. To produce our magnificent papery bracts (which are often mistaken for flowers), we require abundant, direct sunlight. A minimum of six hours of full sun per day is non-negotiable. Without it, we will become leggy and produce few, if any, of our colorful displays. When it comes to water, our needs change with the seasons. Water us deeply when the top few inches of soil feel dry, allowing the excess to drain away completely. Then, let us dry out somewhat before watering again. We are drought-tolerant once established, so it is better to underwater than overwater us. For food, we are not heavy feeders, but a balanced, slow-release fertilizer or a fertilizer higher in phosphate (the middle number) applied during our growing season (spring and summer) will encourage prolific blooming.
To keep us looking our best in a container, occasional pruning is beneficial. The best time to prune us is after a flush of blooms has faded. This encourages new, bushier growth and more flowering branches. You can train us into a standard (tree-like form) or encourage us to cascade over the edges of the pot. Because we are natural climbers, we will appreciate a small trellis or obelisk placed in our pot. This gives our vines something to cling to and allows you to showcase our growth habit vertically, creating a stunning focal point on your patio.
We are tender perennials, meaning we cannot tolerate frost. If you live in a climate where temperatures dip below freezing, you must protect us. Before the first frost, our container home gives you the advantage of mobility. Please move us to a sheltered location—a sunny garage, a greenhouse, or a bright room indoors. Our leaves may drop, which is a normal dormancy response. Water us very sparingly during this dormant period, just enough to prevent the soil from becoming dust-dry. When the danger of frost has passed and temperatures warm consistently, you can gradually acclimate us back to the full sun outdoors.
