Don't Forget This Fall Task To Keep Your Bougainvillea Healthy And Thriving

If you've got a beautiful bougainvillea, autumn might be the ideal time to add extra items to your gardening list to care for this flowering vine. What that fall task looks like could depend on where you live. If you live in a cold winter climate, then you should move this perennial vine indoors and insulate it from plunging temperatures. If you live in a warmer climate, then fall is the time to cut back on watering, start any selective pruning, and mulch your plants. Either way, you need to protect your bougainvillea from cooler weather by the time autumn rolls around.

Some fun facts about bougainvillea: They're gorgeous heat-resistant vining shrubs that don't mind drought and are usually grown best in places with mild winters, like USDA Hardiness Zones 9 to 11. These woody perennials will bloom yearly in the right conditions. Bougainvillea isn't fussy about soil, as it'll thrive in silt, loam, or sand. The vibrant orange, pink, or purple blooms will need at least six full hours of sunlight a day to thrive. Flowers will likely start to die off in the fall, and that's okay. Bougainvilleas can benefit from a little rest, and they'll use the downtime to recharge for spring.

Bougainvillea are native to countries in central America and tropical climates close to the equator, so it's no wonder they don't like cold. That's why you'll have to take special precautions if you live in zone 8 or lower, which includes most states north of Oklahoma or North Carolina.

In colder areas, bougainvillea vines might not survive the winter when temperatures begin to drop. For zones 8 or lower, fall is the time to move your bougainvillea indoors to avoid the shock of cold weather. If temperatures dip into the 40s, these flowers won't be happy. The good news is bougainvillea does well in pots and can wait out the colder seasons inside.

During winter, store bougainvillea inside in a cool and dry place. A garage will do if you can keep temperatures in there well above freezing. A basement or den might work, too. The plants do still need some sunlight, though, so make sure to set them by a window. While a dormant bougainvillea might not grow very much, it might still be a good idea to keep this plant away from areas where people will walk or gather. Bougainvillea vines can be quite thorny, and these can scratch passersby — especially if you've got little children running about. 

When keeping the plant indoors, knowing how much you ought to water bougainvillea will help you keep them healthy. When they're not blooming, it's especially important not to water them too much. Also, you will want to avoid any fertilization in fall or winter, whether you tuck your plant inside or keep it outside. Fertilizer can confuse the plant at this stage.  

If you live in zone 9 or above and plan to keep bougainvillea outdoors for the winter, aim for selective pruning, reducing watering, or adding on a layer of mulch to keep the plant happy. Those in a truly tropical region might have vining flowers all year round. If you do have fluctuations in temperature, mulching may help keep roots warm, since bouts of cold weather can kill them. Even southern states like Texas or Arkansas have been known to get the occasional ice storm, and a lingering cold snap might hurt your plant. Just keep mulch away from the bougainvillea's stem.

Fall might be the time to do some selective pruning, but only after all the flowers have gone. It's best to only do this for dead vines. It's safest to prune bougainvillea in late winter or spring, but you can cut away dead bits in the fall. Also, back off watering bougainvillea when it goes dormant, as it will need less moisture during the cooler months. In winter, err on the side of underwatering, since the plants can be prone to bouts of leaf spot. It's just one of a few known problems with bougainvillea.

In warmer climates, fall might also be a great time to plant more bougainvilleas. They can be propagated by cuttings in fall as long as there's not a danger of frost. If you can't get enough of these beautiful vining shrubs, take care of them the right way this autumn.