Bougainvillea plant is a tough little plant that is perfect for adding some colors to your lawn. With its bright flowers and glossy leaves, it’s sure to make a statement in any garden. Plus, it’s easy to care for and drought resistant. So you can enjoy its beauty with minimal effort.
But, bougainvillea has problem of leaves fall out, which making several homeowners difficult to decide whether they should buy bougainvillea for their yard or not. However, like several yard owners, if you also notice bougainvillea is frequently dropping leaves, please don’t be alarmed. This is quite common and a situation not to worry about.
Further, read this article that will dive you into some potential reasons behind bougainvillea plants dropping leaves, makes you more aware about bougainvilleas and will surely persuades you to buy one soon for your lawn. So without wasting time, scroll down and move to the following line for further information.
Why Are My Bougainvillea Dropping Leaves?
There are a few reasons that could cause your bougainvillea to drop its leaves too soon.
Change in climate
Climate change can cause bougainvillea to drop its leaves for several reasons.
1: Temperature changes can cause stress to the plant, which can lead to leaf drops. Remember, the surrounding temperature below 41 degrees F makes bougainvillea lose its leaves soon.
2: Diversity in rainfall patterns can impact the plant’s ability to uptake water and nutrients, which can also lead to leaf drop and root rot.
3: Swapping day and night length can also disrupt a bougainvillea plants natural growth cycle, causing leaves to drop prematurely.
When bougainvilleas face a climate shift from hot to cold weather, some changes will undoubtedly impact bougainvillea’s health because it’s all happening against its drier and heat-resistant nature.
Overwatering
Overwatering your Bougainvillea is against its drought and can cause the plant to drop its leaves too early. Due to overwatering, roots cannot absorb all the water at once and become badly stressed.
So, if you are thinking of watering your Bougainvillea in excess, check the soil before watering. The soil should be dry to the touch before you water it. Further, water your Bougainvillea every five days after proper diagnosis for better outcomes.
Plant Shock
If your bougainvillea is dropping leaves, it could be due to a plant shock. This can happen when the plant is moved or transplanted or if it experiences a sudden change in temperature or light. However, to make your bougainvillea comfortable in its new environment, try to place it in an area whose temperature should not be below 50 degrees F.
Further, ensure to give proper direct sunlight to your plant for a maximum of six hours which can help them to grow quickly and beautifully. Yet, with little care, your bougainvillea blooms, recover from plant shock and start to thrive in its new environment soon.
Plant Diseases
Bougainvillea is susceptible to some diseases. One of the most common are an aphids that spreads disease and causes the bougainvillea leaf drop.
To get rid of aphids on bougainvillea losing leaves,
- First, gently spraing the plant with water to dislodge any aphids.
- Then treat the plant with insecticidal oils, especially neem oil.
- Finally, remove any affected leaves or stems and dispose of them in the trash.
Why Are My Bougainvillea Leaves Curling?
Bougainvillea leaves may curl if the soil is too dry and conserve too much moisture. Also another reason for leaves curling is the lack of nutrients. However, if your bougainvillea is not getting enough nitrogen, phosphorus, or potassium, the leaves will start to curl. Further, the too humid or warm weather are also the reason behind bougainvillea leaves curling.
What Is Eating My Bougainvillea?
Few pests could be eating your bougainvillea. These include caterpillars, scale insects, and aphids. Also termed as Bougainvillea loopers. These insects will not make your plant die but unsightly damage your plant, which is undoubtedly challenging to cure. However, if you see any of these pests on your plant, you must take immediate action to control them.
Do Bougainvilleas Need To Be Fertilized?
Yes, bougainvillea need to be fertilised.However, if you want your plant to grow well and produce lots of flowers, try to fertilize at the time interval of every four to six weeks under hibiscus fertilizer. Further, for better outcomes, do fertilize it between the season of summer and spring.
When Does a Bougainvillea Bloom?
Bougainvilleas are tropical plants, so they need warmth and sun to thrive. In their native habitat, they can bloom all year round, But in places with slightly cold temperatures, they typically bloom in late spring to early summer, starting from late April to mid-June.
How Do I Bring My Bougainvillea Back to Life?
If your bougainvillea’s leaves are drooping and turning brown, don’t despair. With a little effort, you can bring your plant back to life.
1: If your bougainvillea frequently loses its leaves try to soak it properly, especially in the summer. And water it once or twice every week when the temperature is cold. Consequently, your bougainvillea will recover in spring when the temperature turns according to its natural surrounding.
2: Like all plants, bougainvilleas need nutrients to thrive. Fertilize your plant with a balanced fertilizer every three to four weeks during the growing season.
3: Prune away bougainvillea’s dead and damaged branches to encourage new growth.
Final Thoughts
Now that you know how to prevent your bougainvillea from dropping leaves, you can ensure a fuller, more lush landscape. Be sure to follow our outlined steps and keep an eye on your plant’s progress. Bougainvilleas are worth extra care to keep them safe, healthy, and looking their best.
Further, if all goes well, you should see those lovely leaves start coming back in no time at all!
And finally, if you have any questions or need help with this process, don’t hesitate to reach out to us for assistance.
Thanks for reading!
