Bougainvillea (Glabra, Purple) - Bougainvillea glabra

About Bougainvillea (Glabra, Purple)

Bougainvillea (Bougainvillea glabra), from the Nyctaginaceae family, is an evergreen shrubby vine known for long-lasting, colourful flower bracts that appear periodically through most of the year. This compact Formosa-type variety has shiny leaves and deep purple bracts, and is especially popular for bonsai and pot culture.

Growing Conditions

• Sunlight: More than 6 hours of direct sunlight; flowering reduces in shade.
• Soil: Well-drained, fertile soil rich in organic content.
• Water: Water sparingly — when the top 2-3 inches of soil feel dry. Water stress actually encourages more flowering; it's okay if leaves wilt slightly between waterings.

Planting & Placement

Can be grown as a climber on a porch, arch or pergola, trained as a stand-alone bush, or kept compact for bonsai. Growth depends on the support structure but usually reaches 2-6 metres. Handle the root ball gently when planting — bougainvillea has few, fine roots that don't recover well if disturbed.

Care

• Fertilizer: Organic fertilizer once a month; a phosphorus-based fertilizer supports more vigorous flowering.
• Pruning: Regular pruning after flowering keeps the plant in check — it tolerates trimming well. The stems carry sharp thorns, so handle with gloves.

Flowering

Flowering typically begins within a year of purchase and continues almost year-round, in deep purple bract clusters.

Note: This listing ships a young nursery plant. Growth and bloom timing vary by climate, care, and region - we don't promise a fixed timeline. This plant has sharp thorns on its stems — handle with gloves and keep away from small children.