Get It Growing for 04/24/26

Spring and summer are colorful times. The vivid shades of these seasons — blue skies, green grass, flowers of all colors — are a reminder that the world around us is alive and growing.

One plant that perfectly captures the vibrant spirit of warmer weather is bougainvillea. Often seen in hanging baskets adorning porches and patios, this tropical vine has been a favorite in Louisiana for decades. Bougainvillea relishes our heat and humidity, providing a punch of color on and off from spring through summer and even into fall.

Speaking of color: You can find bougainvillea in an array of radiant hues at your local garden center. Magenta and purple are popular standbys, but you can take your pick of white, light pink, coral, yellow and red, too. Colors are sometimes mixed in containers for a unique rainbow effect.

The colorful parts of bougainvillea are not flowers. Instead, they are bracts, a type of modified leaf. The flowers are small, white, tubular structures that are enveloped by clusters of the papery bracts.

While bougainvillea’s vining habit lends itself nicely to being displayed in a hanging basket, there are other ways to grow this plant. Some people like to place it in a container near a trellis, allowing it to climb and form a wall of color. You might even come across bougainvillea tree topiaries at the garden center.

Bougainvillea is a fast grower that will do best in full sun. Its stems have thorns, so be careful when handling it!

Native to Central and South America, bougainvillea is what is known as a “dry tropical.” Many people assume tropical plants want lots of water — but many species, including those in the Bougainvillea genus, prefer drier conditions and can even tolerate droughts once they’re established.

Be sure to let the potting media dry out in between waterings to avoid stressing your bougainvillea. Don’t neglect it, either, though. Most folks grow this plant in containers, and those can quickly become parched in peak summertime. Check the potting mix regularly to see if water is needed.

Bougainvillea tends to be treated as an annual here in Louisiana, but it is in fact a perennial that can live for many years with the right care. Most important: Keep it indoors during winter. Temperatures below 50 F will cause bougainvillea to stop growing, and anything even approaching freezing will kill it.

LSU AgCenter horticulturist Jason Stagg highlights bougainvillea, a plant with unbeatable color and ability to thrive in Louisiana's hot summers.

Bougainvillea, which thrives in Louisiana’s heat and humidity, can be grown in tree form. Photo by Olivia McClure/LSU AgCenter

Bougainvillea is often displayed in hanging baskets. Photo by Olivia McClure/LSU AgCenter

A wide range of colors of bougainvillea is available. Photo by Olivia McClure/LSU AgCenter

The colorful parts of the bougainvillea plant are bracts. The flowers are small and white. Photo by Olivia McClure/LSU AgCenter

Different colors of bougainvillea are sometimes mixed in containers for a unique appearance. Photo by Olivia McClure/LSU AgCenter