Hey there! I've been having a tough time with my bougainvillea on my balcony and I'm really not sure what's going wrong. It's in a pot, getting full sun, and I live in the UK where it's usually warm. At first, I was watering it pretty often, about once every day or two, depending on the weather. Then it started dropping leaves, so I read that these plants prefer to be thoroughly watered just 1-2 times a week instead. After a recent heatwave, it looks really unhealthy, and I can't believe the heat alone is the issue. I'm concerned about over or under watering it, but the pot drains well and I check the soil moisture before watering. Any advice would be appreciated!
3 Answers
Bougainvillea can actually handle the heat pretty well once it gets used to it. They thrive in really hot places like California. With some time and the right care, you’ll likely see it bounce back! Just be patient with it for now.
It sounds like you're going through some common bougainvillea troubles! One thing to remember is that abrupt changes in care can stress the plant. There isn’t a one-size-fits-all watering schedule; it really depends on factors like soil moisture, local humidity, and how much sunlight the pot gets. A good rule of thumb is to check the top inch of soil—if it’s dry, it’s time to water. And if the leaves are dropping, it might be a good idea to look into whether your plant is getting enough nutrients or if it’s possibly root-bound.
Thanks so much for the detailed response. I'm definitely going to try adding some fertilizer, and if it looks really bad, I might attempt a root trim.
I’m in the US, and mine is really struggling too. It’s lost a lot of leaves and seems to have some issues with the soil staying too warm. Any tips for that?
Keep in mind that potted plants can be more sensitive to temperature changes than those planted in the ground. Just make sure it’s not getting too hot in the pot!
Patience is definitely key! I’ll keep an eye on it.