Cultivate bougainvillea on the balcony

The spell of the bougainvillea

Bougainvilleas are one of the most popular climbing plants for a reason: with their intensely colored bracts that surround their flowers, they provide a wonderful spectacle for you eye away. However, some plant enthusiasts and hobby gardeners shy away from cultivating them - after all, with their sensitive location requirements, they are a bit diva-like. Nevertheless, you can successfully cultivate the South American beauty in these not at all tropical climes - it can thrive magnificently in a pot on the balcony.

The benefits of bougainvillea on the balcony

Basically, the attractiveness of a bougainvillea should not be hidden in the house. So if you don't have a garden, or at least a balcony, you should use it as much as possible for optimal enjoyment of the bougainvillea. This can even result in very significant advantages:

• The balcony, if it faces south, can represent a well-protected “microclimate” for the bougainvillea
• You can use the proximity to the heat-storing house wall, which your bougainvillea will love
• A balcony railing offers an ideal climbing device for the climbing plant
• The high location allows the whole area to participate in the beauty of the flowers

What to watch out for when caring for bougainvillea on the balcony

Basically, the following applies to the climbing plant from subtropical South America:

• Lots of sun and warmth
• Regular watering, but absolutely avoid waterlogging
• nutrient-rich, well-drained substrate

If you want to cultivate a bougainvillea on the balcony, it should be facing south if possible and not restricted by nearby, tall trees or buildings in a full solar output will. It is best to choose a smaller one for the tub - a tightly sized root ball bed promotes flower formation in relation to the leaf mass. You can add some clay to the substrate, which is as rich in minerals as possible. You should water regularly so that the root ball does not dry out. This is particularly important on a small, sun-intensive and therefore high-evaporation balcony. Under no circumstances should waterlogging occur.

Bring in for the winter

When the first frost is on the horizon, the balcony vacation is usually over anyway - so bring the frost-sensitive bougainvillea into the house in good time for the winter.