Indoor Bougainvillea Leaf Drop: Light Deficiency

Bougainvillea Needs Full Sun

A bougainvillea moved from garden to a low-light living room will shed leaves. It cannot photosynthesize enough to maintain foliage.

Options

• Best: Move to a sunroom or south-facing window with 6+ hours direct sun.
• Acceptable: Add a full-spectrum grow light (12–14 hrs/day).
• Last resort: Keep barely alive with minimal water; expect sparse growth until return outdoors.

Watering

Water only when soil is dry 2″ deep. Cool, low-light conditions demand very little water.