What’s Wrong With My Bougainvillea?

Bougainvilleas are tropical-looking spreading plants that produce colorful blooms all seasons of the year. While bougainvilleas are not particularly prone to pests infestation or disease, they can become infected and die. Maintain your bougainvillea properly and address issues as they come about and your plant should be okay - but here are a few problems you might encounter along the way.

Culture - Bougainvilleas grow in USDA hardiness zones 9 to11; however, a majority of the species are confined to only the warmest zones. They do not tolerate frost. Frost can cause portions of the plant, or the entire plant, to wither and turn black. Select a species well-adapted to your particular USDA hardiness zones. Prune away any frost damaged portions of your bougainvillea once the weather improves.

Bougainvilleas are heat and drought-tolerant. In fact, too much water will cause leaf drop and/or root rot. Place your bougainvillea in well-drained soil. Do not over-water or over-fertilize your bougainvilleas. This may result in a mineral imbalance. The first indication of a mineral imbalance is a decline in foliage and blooms.

Pests - As with just about any kind of plant, pests can inflict a lot of damage if not controlled. Given the opportunity, the following types of pests may prey upon your plant: caterpillars, aphids, mealybugs, scale insects, snails, slugs, mites, whiteflies and thripes. All pests leave slightly different indications of infestation - most will not kill your plant.

References:

Why Is My Bougainvillea Dying?

University of California: Bougainvillea --- Bougainvillea spp.
University of Florida Extension: Warm Climate Production Guidelines for Bougainvillea