Bougainvillea Size Control and Watering in West Florida

Pruning and Watering Bougainvillea for Small Bush Form

Owner wants to keep bougainvillea as small bush via pruning; asks watering needs in west Florida.

Advice

• Standard bougainvilleas can be pruned to ~5 ft without losing beauty; for smaller, buy dwarf variety (2 ft).
• Water very little—once a month; established plants need only rain.
• They color best under drought stress.