Bougainvillea: how to take care of it in winter and protect it from frost

Bougainvillea: how to take care of it in winter and protect it from frost

Bougainvillea is a very delicate plant that cannot stand low temperatures, cold and frost. Here's how to take care of it in the winter

Bougainvillea is a very delicate plant that cannot stand low temperatures, cold and frost. Here's how to take care of it in the winter

La bougainvillea loves the sun and the heat, which is why in winter it needs special care and attention. These plants freeze when temperatures drop to -1 ° but, provided it isn't even colder, they usually return to normal as temperatures get warmer. So, taking care of it especially in winter will ensure healthy and lush growth, as well as abundant flowering. (Read also: How to grow bougainvillea: when to plant it, prune it and where to place it)





Index

Caring for bougainvillea plants in the winter

La bougainvillea winter care consists in always guaranteeing a certain humidity to the plant. Bougainvillea can withstand a slight freezing, but if the climate becomes very harsh, the roots die; for this reason, when it is very cold it should be moved indoors e stored in containers a couple of inches in diameter larger than the root ball. (Read also: Plants exposed to cold and frost: how to cure and save them)

This requires special care and preparation, so that the plant sleeps during the cold season. It may need to be trimmed enough if it was growing vigorously outside, just for easier handling and space constraints. When the leaves begin to brown, simply remove them to help the plant retain moisture. In winter, bougainvillea should not be fertilized, as it can accumulate salts from the fertilizzante which, in turn, can burn the roots. 

Once transferred to the container, place it in a cool and bright place. As spring approaches, gradually increase the water and, as summer begins to approach, slowly introduce the plant to warmer temperatures to prepare it to return outdoors. 

Bougainvillea temperature and pruning in winter

The bougainvillea withstands temperatures above 0 °, but if they drop below excessive cold can irreparably damage the plant. Therefore, during the winter this plant requires special care and, above all, warmer temperatures; for this reason it is advisable to move it at home or in a warm and protected place.

for pruning remember, however, that in winter the plant does not resist the cold and is semi-dormant, so it is advisable to wait for the beginning of spring; more precisely towards March / April it is possible to proceed with this operation.



How to protect larger plants from the cold

If your plant grows in the garden and is very luxuriant that it cannot be moved in containers, we recommend that you protect it with antifreeze sheets with which to cover the plant especially during the night, that is when temperatures could drop below 0 °. There are also mini terrace greens on the market that are perfect for this purpose.

With the taller varieties that grow in the ground, it is much more difficult to protect them in this way; so, how to save them from frost? In this case, to help the plant survive beyond the cold season, remember to:


  • don't prune too late or too severely in the fall
  • apply a good coat of mulch on the roots
  • wait until the temperature in the evening is warmer to proceed with pruning. 

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