Garden Care Guide

Bougainvillea Care

Bougainvillea glabra

A climber that wants full sun and a warm environment for abundant flowering and has adapted perfectly to the Aegean and Mediterranean climate. It is drought tolerant, and the soil should be allowed to dry out between waterings to encourage flowering.

Frost-tender (protect from frost) · -2 °C / 28 °F

Monthly care calendar

Timings are for a temperate Northern Hemisphere climate. In warmer areas tasks start earlier, in colder areas later; in the Southern Hemisphere shift them by six months.

January
  • Watering: Very rarely; if in a pot, once a month when the soil is completely dry. For plants in the ground, winter rains are sufficient.
  • Pruning: Not needed. Wait so as not to encourage new shoots that are at risk from frost.
  • General care: Keep the root collar clear of debris.
  • Pests & diseases: Watch for root rot caused by excess moisture.
  • Frost risk: If a frost warning is issued, move the pot to a sheltered place, or protect the in-ground plant in the evening with breathable frost fabric. Do not press the fabric onto the leaves; ventilate it when daytime temperatures rise. Skip if: there is no frost risk, or the plant is already in a closed, bright area where it does not experience frost.
February
  • Watering: Toward the end of the month, water once when the soil has completely dried out.
  • Pruning: Wait until the end of the month or early March, when the danger of frost has fully passed.
  • General care: Gradually acclimate potted plants to a brighter spot.
  • Pests & diseases: Check for overwintering pests such as scale insects or mealybugs.
  • Frost risk: If a frost warning is issued, move the pot to a sheltered place, or protect the in-ground plant in the evening with breathable frost fabric. Do not press the fabric onto the leaves; ventilate it when daytime temperatures rise. Skip if: there is no frost risk, or the plant is already in a closed, bright area where it does not experience frost.
March
  • Watering: When the soil has dried out completely, water deeply (every 15-20 days, 20-30 L/m²).
  • Fertilizing: Apply a balanced fertilizer as the plant emerges from dormancy.
  • Pruning: Prune just before the shoots break. Because flowers form on this year's new shoots, hard pruning increases flowering. Moderate water and a phosphorus-rich fertilizer increase flowering. Abundant water and nitrogen fertilizer make leaves, not flowers.
  • Plant protection: Check the new shoots for aphids.
  • General care: Guide the new shoots onto the support system and tie them in.
  • Pests & diseases: Take action if aphids are seen.
  • Frost risk: If a frost warning is issued, move the pot to a sheltered place, or protect the in-ground plant in the evening with breathable frost fabric. Do not press the fabric onto the leaves; ventilate it when daytime temperatures rise. Skip if: there is no frost risk, or the plant is already in a closed, bright area where it does not experience frost.
April
  • Watering: Water a newly planted specimen more often than established plants during its first year, as its root system is still shallow.
  • Fertilizing: If flowering is weak, a potassium-heavy liquid fertilizer can be given.
  • Pruning: Do not disturb the new shoots that emerge after main pruning.
  • Plant protection: If symptoms spread and treatment is needed, consult a licensed plant-protection supplier or an agronomist. Plant protection products are regulated; follow local rules.
  • General care: Good time for planting and transplanting.
  • Pests & diseases: Look for aphids (green or black clusters of small insects) on fresh shoot tips. If there are only a few, you can knock them off with a strong jet of water.
May
  • Watering: Water a newly planted specimen more often than established plants during its first year, as its root system is still shallow.
  • Fertilizing: During the flowering period, you can give potassium-heavy liquid fertilizer once a month.
  • Pruning: After the main flowering wave ends, prepare the plant for the next flowering with light pruning by trimming 20-30 cm from the tips of long shoots.
  • Plant protection: If symptoms spread and treatment is needed, consult a licensed plant-protection supplier or an agronomist. Plant protection products are regulated; follow local rules.
  • General care: Suitable period for planting and transplanting. Flowering begins. Drainage is critical for this plant. In heavy, water-retaining soil, plant on a mound or bed raised 20-30 cm; the root collar should remain above the surrounding soil level.
  • Pests & diseases: Look for aphids (green or black clusters of small insects) on fresh shoot tips. If there are only a few, you can knock them off with a strong jet of water.
June
  • Watering: In a long drought, water deeply once a month.
  • Fertilizing: Apply the second fertilizer dose during the growing season. Do not fertilize after August; late growth will not survive winter.
  • Pruning: When the main flowering wave is over, shorten overgrown shoots that block the plant's shape, using clean tools. Wear protective gear against thorns, and do not strip the plant heavily in one go. Skip this if there is a risk of late frost, extreme heat stress, or recent transplant shock.
  • Plant protection: If symptoms spread and treatment is needed, consult a licensed plant-protection supplier or an agronomist. Plant protection products are regulated; follow local rules.
  • General care: Flowering continues.
  • Pests & diseases: Look for white cottony clusters (mealybugs) in leaf axils. Look for aphids (green or black clusters of small insects) on fresh shoot tips. If there are only a few, you can knock them off with a strong jet of water.
July
  • Watering: In midsummer, deep watering every 15-20 days is enough. Established plants (over 2 years old) do not need watering in most years. The area around the roots should be wetted to a depth of 20-30 cm.
  • Fertilizing: If necessary, apply a potassium-dominant liquid fertilizer once a month.
  • Pruning: When the main flowering wave is over, shorten overgrown shoots that block the plant's shape, using clean tools. Wear protective gear against thorns, and do not strip the plant heavily in one go. Skip this if there is a risk of late frost, extreme heat stress, or recent transplant shock.
  • Plant protection: If symptoms spread and treatment is needed, consult a licensed plant-protection supplier or an agronomist. Plant protection products are regulated; follow local rules.
  • General care: Flowering continues.
  • Pests & diseases: Look for cottony white clusters in the leaf axils (mealybugs).
August
  • Watering: In midsummer, deep watering every 15-20 days is enough. Established plants (over 2 years old) do not need watering in most years. The area around the roots should be wetted to a depth of 20-30 cm.
  • Fertilizing: Applying a potassium-rich liquid fertilizer early this month will boost autumn flowers.
  • Pruning: When the main flowering wave is over, shorten overgrown shoots that block the plant's shape, using clean tools. Wear protective gear against thorns, and do not strip the plant heavily in one go. Skip this if there is a risk of late frost, extreme heat stress, or recent transplant shock.
  • Plant protection: If symptoms spread and treatment is needed, consult a licensed plant-protection supplier or an agronomist. Plant protection products are regulated; follow local rules.
  • General care: Flowering continues.
  • Pests & diseases: Look for cottony white clusters in the leaf axils (mealybugs).
September
  • Watering: In a long drought, water deeply once a month.
  • Fertilizing: Stop fertilizing completely.
  • Pruning: When the main flowering wave is over, shorten overgrown shoots that block the plant's shape, using clean tools. Wear protective gear against thorns, and do not strip the plant heavily in one go. Skip this if there is a risk of late frost, extreme heat stress, or recent transplant shock.
  • General care: Flowering continues.
  • Pests & diseases: Clean up fallen leaves and flowers.
October
  • Watering: No watering is needed for plants in the ground. Water those in pots once a month or less often.
  • General care: Flowering continues.
  • Pests & diseases: General check.
  • Frost risk: Watch night temperatures. Be prepared to protect young plants.
November
  • Watering: Not needed. Potted plants can be watered very little when the soil dries out completely.
  • General care: In winter rains, make sure water does not pool in the root zone; for this plant, drainage is more critical than irrigation.
  • Frost risk: If a frost warning is issued, move the pot to a sheltered place, or protect the in-ground plant in the evening with breathable frost fabric. Do not press the fabric onto the leaves; ventilate it when daytime temperatures rise. Skip if: there is no frost risk, or the plant is already in a closed, bright area where it does not experience frost.
December
  • Watering: If rainfall is low, give a small amount as the soil dries out.
  • Pruning: Remove dry shoots/parts.
  • General care: Evergreen leaves continue to lose water in winter. Water thoroughly once before the soil freezes.
  • Frost risk: If a frost warning is issued, move the pot to a sheltered place, or protect the in-ground plant in the evening with breathable frost fabric. Do not press the fabric onto the leaves; ventilate it when daytime temperatures rise. Skip if: there is no frost risk, or the plant is already in a closed, bright area where it does not experience frost.

The care advice on this page is general and for information only; it is not professional advice. Plant age, soil and your garden’s microclimate can change the outcome. Plant protection products are mentioned only as general information; they are regulated, and the choice, dose and timing must be decided by a qualified professional under local rules. Consult a landscape architect or agronomist before applying.

Want reminders for every plant in your garden? Our garden-care app with monthly task lists and frost alerts is currently available in Turkish; the English version is on the way.

Browse all plant guides