Bougainvillea

Bougainvillea plants are known for their vibrant and showy flowers, which are actually modified leaves called bracts. The true flowers are small and usually white or yellow, but it’s the colorful bracts that give bougainvillea its striking appearance. The bracts can be found in various shades of pink, purple, red, orange, and white, depending on the cultivar.

These plants are typically climbers or sprawling shrubs that can reach impressive sizes, with some varieties growing up to 30 feet (9 meters) tall. They have long, thorny stems and glossy, dark green leaves. Bougainvillea is popular in tropical and subtropical regions due to its ability to thrive in warm climates and its resistance to drought.

Bougainvillea plants are commonly used in landscaping and gardening for their ornamental value. They can be grown on trellises, arbors, fences, or walls, where their colorful bracts create a visually stunning display. Bougainvillea is also a popular choice for container gardening, allowing it to be grown in pots and placed on patios or balconies.

Nomenclature

Botanical Name Bougainvillea spectabilis
Family Nyctaginaceae
Genus Acalypha
Species spectabilis
Types Thorny ornamental vines, bonsai, trees

Planting Guide

Flowers

Flower Color: Gold/Yellow, Pink, Purple/Lavender, Red/Burgundy, White
Flower Value To Gardener: Long Bloom Season, Showy
Flower Bloom Time: Fall, Spring, Summer, Winter
Flower Shape: Tubular
Flower Petals: Bracts

Fruits

Fruit Type: Achene

Leaves

Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics: Broadleaf Evergreen, Deciduous
Leaf Color: Green
Leaf Type: Simple
Leaf Shape: Elliptical
Leaf Margin: Entire
Hairs Present: No

Collect Seeds

Bougainvillea plants are commonly propagated by cuttings but seed growing is possible too.

Harvest  

Full-grown plants are an excellent source of seeds. When growing the flower from seed, look for colorful bract that surrounds the flower. Wait for the bract to get dry. Inside the bract, there are three pods, each containing seeds. Seeds take a month to ripen. Seeds should be plump and brown. Remove the seed from the pod.

Soil Texture Clay, High Organic Matter, Loam (Silt), Sand
Soil Drainage Good Drainage, Occasionally Dry
Soil Chemistry

Acid (<6.0)
Neutral (6.0-8.0)

Cultivation

Germination 30 days or between 2-3 weeks
Bloom spring, summer and autumn

Temperature (Climate)
Temperature 60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit
Light Full sun
Health Benefits

Health benefits of the flowers:
✓ Treat cough
✓ Relieve sore throat
✓ Relieve fever
✓ Body detoxifier
✓ Treat diarrhea
✓ Cure stomachache
✓ Ease joints pain

Bougainvillea plants’ medicinal properties:

✓ Anti-fertility
✓ Antibacterial
✓ Anti-cancer
✓ Anti-fungal
✓ Anti-inflammatory
✓ Antioxidant
✓ Antiviral
✓ Hepatoprotective