Bougainvillea: hardy or not?

Bougainvillea blooms profusely in summer – but what about in winter? Is the bougainvillea hardy or can you at least overwinter it successfully?

The exotic one Bougainvillea is not only appreciated in southern countries for its strong color, but can also be found in many gardens in this country. The plant, which belongs to the magic flower family (Nyctaginaceae), can be used during the summer form an impressive amount of the beautiful bracts, which have almost every color depending on the variety be able. But is bougainvillea actually hardy? And if not, how do you overwinter them in this country? We answer these questions below.

Bougainvillea: hardy or not?

The bougainvillea plant genus is originally native to the tropical regions of South America and has established itself over time as an ornamental plant in large parts of the world. Due to its origin, however, a bougainvillea can only be cultivated in areas where the winters are reasonably mild. For this reason, the exotic species in Europe can only grow freely in the Mediterranean region and are only suitable for keeping in buckets in Germany. A bougainvillea is sensitive to temperatures below 5°C and can quickly wither in frost.

Bougainvillea: Overwinter successfully

Overwintering your bougainvillea correctly is crucial to whether you can look forward to the tropical plant again next year. Proceed as follows to hibernate:

1. In autumn, cut back your bougainvillea in good time so that it becomes a little more compact. If the leaves have not yet fallen off by themselves, they can be cut off directly.
2. Find a bright, cool place to hibernate. Ideally, this should have a temperature between 10 and 15°C, but in any case not below 5°C. Also make sure that the floor is not too cold.
3. In spring you can slowly get the bougainvillea used to a spot in the garden again and put it completely outside as soon as late frosts are no longer to be expected.

Proper care for bougainvillea in winter

You should also check on your bougainvillea from time to time while it is dormant in winter, so that it stays healthy during the cold months. Although watering should be drastically reduced during the winter, the plant is happy to be watered every four weeks. The soil should always be slightly moistened. In addition, check the bougainvillea from time to time for pests such as spider miteswho prefer to feel comfortable in dry air. If you follow all of these bougainvillea overwintering tips, you can enjoy the exotic plant for years to come.

What can it be that the Bougainvillea not blooming? And what can you do about it? You can find out this and more in our special article.