Bougainvillea spectablis
boo-gun-VEEL-ee-uh speck-TAB-bliss
Common Names: Paperflower
Family: Nyctaginaceae
Origin: Tropical & Subtropical Americas
Growth: Bushy, vining
Light: Bright
Foot Candles: 250+
Water: Moderately moist
Humidity: 40%+
Temperature: 16°C - 32°C
Soil: Well draining potting mix
Container: Hanging basket, trellis
Nutrients: 10-20-10 to encourage flowering
Propagation: Seed, mature stem cuttings, root cuttings
Interiorscape Use: Seasonal colour
Common Pests: Mealybugs, Aphids, Spider Mites, Scale, Thrips.
Common Issues: Possible for plant to drop flower buds before blooming if water schedule is altered.
Comments: Plant has different uses depending on where in the world it is. Typically grown as an annual or bonsai in northern climates. The ‘flowers’ are actually leaf bracts used to attract pollinators to the much smaller smaller flowers within. These bracts come in pink, purple, orange, yellow and white with magenta being the most common colour. The plant has thorny stems.
Toxicity: Safe.