Red Bougainvillea

The Red Bougainvillea is adapts to milder temperatures and displays lush dark-green foliage with an explosion of vibrant red re-blooming flowers appearing throughout the warmer months attracting hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies to your landscape!

This vine species grows anywhere from 1 to 12 m (3 to 40 ft.) tall, scrambling over other plants with their spiky thorns. They are evergreen where rainfall occurs all year, or deciduous if there is a dry season. The leaves are alternate, simple ovate-acuminate, 4–13 cm long and 2–6 cm broad.

The Red Bougainvillea thrives in full sun, with a southern exposure.

Bring the soil to a state of visual dryness between watering. The best flowering occurs when the plants are brought to a slight wilt between waterings. When watering, thoroughly saturate the soil until a little water runs out of the bottom of the pot. Growing in a clay pot will help maintain a healthy root system.

Fertilize your Red Bougainvillea with a balanced, soluble fertilizer like a 15-15- 15 every two weeks at ½ tsp of fertilizer per gallon of water. Reduce the frequency during the winter months, especially under cool temperatures.

Red Bougainvillea can be pruned alot if growth is excessive. The best time is right after a flowering cycle is completed. On vining varieties, the selective pruning of stems to thin or reduce the size of the plant can maintain a flowering specimen.

Although it is frost-sensitive and hardy in USDA hardiness zones 9b & 10, the red bougainvillea can be utilized as a houseplant or hanging basket in cooler climates. In the landscape, it makes an outstanding hot season plant, and also its drought resistance makes it perfect for cozy environments year-round. Its high salt tolerance makes it an all-natural selection for shade in seaside areas. Red Bougainvillea can be pruned easily, can be grown along fence lines, on wall surfaces, in containers as well as hanging baskets, and as a hedge or an accent plant. Its lengthy curving tough branches birth heart-shaped fallen leaves and also masses of papery bracts in an intense red color.

For additional options, be sure to browse our Raspberry Ice Bougainvillea and Vines collection.