Fertilizing a bougainvillea is not only recommended for stronger growth and lush flowering. Even so, you should regularly provide the beautiful climbing plant with some extra food. We explain the how and why.

Regular fertilization promotes flowering

The vegetative foundations

Since the bougainvillea comes from subtropical South America, it is naturally used to a corresponding seasonal rhythm. It has adapted its vegetation character to the clearly separated dry and rainy seasons of its homeland: When there is a lot of heat, light and humidity, it sprout vigorously, and when there is a lack of light and drought it quickly sheds its leaves.

When and how often to fertilize?

With us, their main vegetation phase is therefore in the light half of the year over the summer. Here you can/should play free riders and support them with fertilizer. Fertilizer application every one to two weeks is recommended from the first branching spurt after winter storage. Of course, regular watering is also mandatory to support the natural vegetation conditions. If the available light decreases noticeably towards October, you should stop fertilizing. Otherwise you create an imbalance between the ensuing dormant phase of the plant caused by a lack of light and the driving supply of nutrients.

So let's hold on:

  • Fertilizing bougainvilleas makes sense during their natural vegetation phase in the light half of the year
  • then give universal fertilizer every one to two weeks, in the flowering phase give flower pot plant fertilizer
  • Adjust fertilization to match the fall in light in autumn

Which fertilizer to use?

You can use a simple universal liquid fertilizer to fertilize for vigorous growth. It gives the plant basic nutrients to develop and strengthen its overall substance. In the flowering phase, however, you can also use a special fertilizer for flowering potted plants, which is enriched with nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus in about the same proportion. These substances are essential and promote flowering and keep the plant healthy.

What Else You Can Do

A little tip: Apart from the fact that you should treat your bougainvillea to a suitable, permeable and mineral-rich substrate, you can also provide it with permanent nutrients at the base. To do this, simply add a small amount of horn shavings (€32.93) to the soil. They supply the plant with basic nutrients over the entire bucket phase. When repotting, you can simply renew the addition.

Category:

Indoor plants