How to grow bougainvillea in winter

Bougainvillea has become a favorite indoor plant for many people because of its abundant flowers, long-lasting flowering period, and easy care. In the home, people often place a few potted bougainvillea plants to add color to life. However, with the arrival of winter and the gradual drop in temperature, many bougainvilleas will stop blooming and gradually enter a dormant period, preparing for the blooming of the coming year. Let’s learn together how to grow and care for Bougainvillea in winter.

1. Ensure adequate lighting

Bougainvillea is a light-loving plant and needs plenty of sunlight even if it stops flowering in winter due to the drop in temperature. Lack of light and low temperatures may cause leaves to gradually yellow and fall off. Under suitable temperature and light conditions, Bougainvillea can maintain its dark green leaves and vigorous growth even in winter, storing energy for next year's flowering season.

2. Reasonable control of watering

When caring for bougainvillea in winter, the frequency of watering should be controlled to avoid excessive moisture in the soil, which will affect the respiration of the roots, may cause root rot, and increase the risk of frost damage in low temperatures. The soil should be kept slightly moist. When the environment is dry, water can be sprayed around the pot to increase the humidity. In low temperature environments, it is best to water at noon when the temperature is higher, and use water close to the soil temperature to prevent roots from cold damage.

3. Winter fertilization strategy

Whether to fertilize bougainvillea in winter depends on the specific environmental conditions. In the southern regions, the temperature is high in winter, and the bougainvillea maintained indoors may still be growing, and nutrients need to be supplemented at this time. Winter fertilizers should be mainly phosphorus and potassium fertilizers to promote the growth of flowers in the coming year. If the indoor temperature is lower than 10℃, the plant will enter a dormant state, its growth activity will slow down, and its demand for water and nutrients will decrease. At this time, fertilization should be stopped and watering should be controlled. Fertilization should be resumed after growth resumes in spring.

4. Prune dead branches in time

When caring for bougainvillea in winter, you should check the plants regularly and trim dead branches and yellow leaves in time. For bougainvillea whose flowering period ends late, the remaining flowers should also be pruned off in winter to reduce nutrient consumption, help the plant store energy over the winter, and ensure that more flowers can bloom next year.

In short, in winter, in order to ensure that Bougainvillea can safely survive the cold season and prepare for blooming next year, its maintenance work needs to be strengthened.