Lesser Bougainvillea
Bougainvillea glabra
Also listed as Bougainvillea arborea, Bougainvillea brachycarpa
Also known as Paper-flower
Climate Match for your location
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A vigorous, thorny shrub prized for its papery, colorful bracts in shades of pink, magenta, red, or purple that bloom profusely in warm seasons. It thrives in hot, dry conditions and requires minimal maintenance once established.
Why grow it
Bougainvillea glabra offers reliable, extended blooming through warm months with minimal fertilizer or water once established, making it suited to low-input permaculture systems in arid and semi-arid zones. Compared to some ornamental shrubs, it tolerates poor soils and neglect well, though it produces smaller flowers and bracts than the related B. spectabilis, which may appeal to those seeking a more compact, less vigorous plant for constrained spaces.
Watch out for
Bougainvillea glabra benefits from well-draining soil and may struggle in humid or overly wet conditions where root rot can develop. Pruning should be done carefully due to sharp thorns, and the plant responds well to hard pruning to encourage denser flowering. In cooler climates, container cultivation allows for season-appropriate relocation to protect against frost damage.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Nyctaginaceae
Native Range
South America
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Season of Interest
Shrub
Woody multi-stem plants at eye level.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
A vigorous, thorny shrub prized for its papery, colorful bracts in shades of pink, magenta, red, or purple that bloom profusely in warm seasons. It thrives in hot, dry conditions and requires minimal maintenance once established.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Lesser Bougainvillea grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Bougainvillea glabra offers reliable, extended blooming through warm months with minimal fertilizer or water once established, making it suited to low-input permaculture systems in arid and semi-arid zones. Compared to some ornamental shrubs, it tolerates poor soils and neglect well, though it produces smaller flowers and bracts than the related B. spectabilis, which may appeal to those seeking a more compact, less vigorous plant for constrained spaces.
Watch out for
Bougainvillea glabra benefits from well-draining soil and may struggle in humid or overly wet conditions where root rot can develop. Pruning should be done carefully due to sharp thorns, and the plant responds well to hard pruning to encourage denser flowering. In cooler climates, container cultivation allows for season-appropriate relocation to protect against frost damage.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Nyctaginaceae
Native Range
South America
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Season of Interest
Shrub
Woody multi-stem plants at eye level.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
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