Bougainvillea in pots has vibrant, papery bracts that can often be mistaken for flowers. Still, it proves to be a stunning addition to any garden, as it thrives particularly well in pots, making them ideal for balconies in the climate of India. Although it is not a major concern in India, growing bougainvillea in pots will allow you to precisely control its size and environment. You can even bring it inside if you believe the outside temperatures fall below its livable limits.
Understanding Bougainvillea Plants
Bougainvilleas are known to be very vibrant and thorny plants, primarily from many areas in South America. They are very popular because they have paper leaves and a little brilliant blooms with leaves full of colours evolved as bracts that hide the true flowers, tiny in size. These plants are known as adaptable and can adapt to become wall-climbing vines, shrubs, and ground covers, and can even thrive in pots.
How to Grow Bougainvillea in a Pot?
1. Sunlight is key
You should place your bougainvillea where it receives at least six hours of direct sunlight daily; if you have a sunny balcony facing south, this location will be ideal for achieving the best bloom.
2. Choose the right pot and soil
You should select a planter 12-16 inches in diameter with excellent and efficient drainage holes. Bougainvillea prefers being root-bound but only slightly, and it will be better if you use a fast-draining pot mix, which is 1 part potting soil, 1 part coarse sand, and 1 part compost.
3. Planting
If you get your plant in a nursery pot, gently remove it and distribute the roots minimally. Then, plant it at the same depth and fill with your soil mix. After watering the plant until it drains, you can add a trellis for it to climb, as this type of plant is a climber.
4. Watering wisely
Once the plant has established, you can allow the top few inches of the soil to dry out completely between your water periods. You should avoid overwatering because it causes the plant to become overly leafy, leads to root rot, and prevents blooming.
5. Fertilizing and pruning
You should fertilize your plants with a fertilizer rich in phosphorus every two to four weeks between each growing and blooming season. You should also prune regularly, especially in late winter and early spring, and lightly pinch fertilizer after each bloom flush.
Things to be taken care of while planting Bougainvillea in pots
When you put bougainvillea in pots, try to ensure that it gets six hours of direct sunlight every day, and place it in soil mixtures that drain quickly, because if not, the roots will rot away. These plants have sensitive roots, so you should pay care when transplanting and maintaining the depth of the plant.
5 Best Pots to Grow Bougainvillea
1. Ovalio: Enhance your décor with this modern set of durable FRP planter pots. They feature a sleek, spherical design and are available in multiple colours and textures, providing a vibrant and versatile look for your balcony or study table.
2. Atia: These modern geometric planter pots can add a pointed flair to your space with their vibrant colors and textures as they strike a design that instantly updates your contemporary room or balcony.
3. Pento: These pentagonal pops of colors add a modern geometric flair to any space with their unique design, perfect for displaying small plants as standalone sculptures.
4. Mento: Now, you can enhance your plant display with these sleek and elegant speckled pots. They feature a timeless design that complements any décor. They are finely crafted for perfect style and durability and serve as a perfect home for your bougainvillea.
5. Torta: These two-color Torta designer pots add a minimal, elegant touch to your space. Their contemporary aesthetic and smooth finish make your plants look chic in an understated way.
Conclusion
This guide comprehensively explores bougainvillea plants, including their properties and instructions on how to plant them. We hope this guide helps you with the most important processes. We have put a lot of thought into these suggestions as they aim to provide the best support for small plants while being very fashionable, so that once someone lays their eyes on them, they will not be able to look away.