Bougainvillea
Bougainvillea spectabilis
A spectacular vine available in many colors and forms, bearing large thorns and producing high litter.
Frost-tender in USDA zones 9b-11; it defoliates or dies back in the mid-20s°F and can be killed by hard freezes, but flourishes in the extreme heat of the low desert.
AMWUA Notes
A low-water vine that blooms best under mild drought stress; its large thorns and heavy bract litter make placement away from pools and paths important.
Care Guide
Water deeply but infrequently, letting the soil dry well between; deliberate mild drought stress actually triggers the heaviest bloom, while overwatering yields all leaves and no color.
Prune to shape and control size after each bloom flush and after frost; wear heavy gloves for the large thorns and expect ongoing bract-and-leaf litter cleanup.
Feed with a bloom-type (higher phosphorus) fertilizer during the warm season; go easy on nitrogen to keep flowering strong.
Watch for bougainvillea looper caterpillars that notch the leaves, plus aphids; disturbing roots at planting can cause transplant shock.
Blooms in flushes spring through fall and nearly year-round in warm winters, but is frost-tender and drops leaves or dies back in the mid-20s°F, recovering with heat.
Soil, Feeding & Propagation
Wants well-drained, slightly acidic to neutral soil; tolerates poor and rocky ground but turns chlorotic and rot-prone in wet or heavy clay.
Needs well-drained soil.
Moderate feeder.
Semi-hardwood or hardwood cuttings; disturb the brittle root ball as little as possible when transplanting.
5-8 ft apart against a wall (15-20 ft mature spread)
Fragile, easily disturbed root ball resents transplanting; roots are not invasive, but large thorns and heavy bract litter dictate placement away from pools and paths.
Placement Tips
- •Train against a hot south- or west-facing wall or sturdy trellis where reflected heat drives bloom.
- •Keep thorny canes away from pool decks, walkways, and seating; high litter makes it a poor poolside choice.
- •Disturb the fragile root ball as little as possible when planting to avoid setback.
- •Give it the hottest, sunniest spot available and lean watering for maximum color.
Features
Best Uses
Ecological Value
Attracts
Wildlife Value
Companion Plants
Quick Stats
Design Styles
Include in Your Project
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Use this care guide to maintain your Bougainvillea. Questions about your landscape? Reach out anytime.
Data from 2024 AMWUA “Landscape Plants for the Arizona Desert” guide.
Bougainvillea — common questions
Answers for low-desert Phoenix conditions, drawn from this plant’s growing data.
How much water does Bougainvillea need in Phoenix?
Bougainvillea is a low-water vine once established. Water deeply but infrequently, letting the soil dry well between; deliberate mild drought stress actually triggers the heaviest bloom, while overwatering yields all leaves and no color. A low-water vine that blooms best under mild drought stress; its large thorns and heavy bract litter make placement away from pools and paths important.
How big does Bougainvillea get?
Expect roughly 15 ft tall and 20 ft wide at maturity, with a moderate growth rate. Allow about 5-8 ft apart against a wall (15-20 ft mature spread) of spacing when planting. Fragile, easily disturbed root ball resents transplanting; roots are not invasive, but large thorns and heavy bract litter dictate placement away from pools and paths.
Can you plant Bougainvillea near a pool?
Not ideally. Bougainvillea is not rated pool-friendly, so it is better placed away from the pool deck and skimmer. Litter is rated high.
Can Bougainvillea handle Arizona heat and winter frost?
Bougainvillea is hardy in USDA 9-11 and wants full sun. Frost-tender in USDA zones 9b-11; it defoliates or dies back in the mid-20s°F and can be killed by hard freezes, but flourishes in the extreme heat of the low desert. Blooms in flushes spring through fall and nearly year-round in warm winters, but is frost-tender and drops leaves or dies back in the mid-20s°F, recovering with heat.
Does Bougainvillea have thorns?
Yes — Bougainvillea has large thorns. Site it back from walkways, seating and pool decks where people brush past.
Is Bougainvillea safe around pets?
Bougainvillea is listed as pet-friendly in this guide. If your dog is a determined chewer, check any new plant with your vet before planting.
When does Bougainvillea bloom in Arizona?
Bougainvillea blooms in year-round, with many colors flowers. The bloom draws butterflies, bees.
How much maintenance does Bougainvillea need?
Bougainvillea is high-maintenance. Leaf, flower and pod litter is rated high. Prune to shape and control size after each bloom flush and after frost; wear heavy gloves for the large thorns and expect ongoing bract-and-leaf litter cleanup.
What kind of soil does Bougainvillea need?
Wants well-drained, slightly acidic to neutral soil; tolerates poor and rocky ground but turns chlorotic and rot-prone in wet or heavy clay. Nutrient needs are moderate. Feed with a bloom-type (higher phosphorus) fertilizer during the warm season; go easy on nitrogen to keep flowering strong.
Is Bougainvillea native to Arizona?
No. Bougainvillea is not an Arizona native; it originates from the Brazil, but it is grown successfully in low-desert landscapes here.