Why Bougainvillea Leaves Turn Yellow and How to Fix It: Growing Bougainvillea in Pots and What to Watch Out For

In the heat of summer, bougainvillea can always be seen in many gardens and city green belts. Bougainvillea is a sun-loving, drought-tolerant flower with a very long blooming period that can last from spring all the way into winter, and its ornamental value is extremely high, which is perhaps why many gardens choose to plant it. What is more, bougainvillea is very easy to care for; even a beginner can easily grow it well at home.

For day-to-day care, bougainvillea likes a spot with plenty of sunlight, so try to place it somewhere in the home with ample light. This supports its growth and helps it bloom early, with more vivid flower colors. If the light is insufficient, bougainvillea tends to produce fewer flowers, and in severe cases it may not bloom at all for a long time. What you need to watch out for is that it should not be exposed to blazing sun either. Prolonged exposure to strong sun will scorch the leaves of bougainvillea, causing them to turn yellow and drop off.

Bougainvillea is not fussy about soil, but it is still best to plant it in loose, airy soil, for example a mix of leaf mold, garden soil and river sand, which supports root growth and speeds up the wet-dry cycle in the pot. Although it is easy to grow, bougainvillea does need feeding, especially during its sprouting stage, when it requires plenty of water and nutrients. It is recommended to fertilize once every 10 to 15 days during the sprouting stage. Of course, the amount of fertilizer should not be too much; follow the principle of dilute fertilizer applied often. If too much fertilizer is applied or the concentration is too high, the roots are easily damaged, which causes the leaves of bougainvillea to turn yellow.

Finally, when it comes to watering, since bougainvillea is a heat-tolerant plant, follow the principle of watering when dry and letting it dry out between waterings. Water as soon as you notice the soil is dry, and it is not advisable to water too much at once, because this easily causes waterlogging in the pot, which leads to root rot and yellowing leaves. Those are the things to keep in mind for growing bougainvillea day to day. As long as flower lovers pay extra attention to watering, light and fertilizing, they will certainly grow bougainvillea well and easily solve the problem of yellowing leaves.