Can You Grow Bougainvillea Indoors?

Bougainvillea is usually seen climbing across fences and spilling over walls outdoors, but many gardeners wonder if it can be grown indoors. While bougainvillea is not a typical indoor plant, it can survive and even flower inside if given the right conditions. The challenge is providing enough light, controlling its size, and maintaining the dry soil cycles it prefers. With careful management, bougainvillea can be kept in pots indoors for shorter periods or in bright sunrooms where light and airflow are strong.

Light, Temperature, and Space Requirements

Bougainvillea is a sun-loving climber that needs at least six hours of strong light each day to bloom. Indoors, this is the biggest limitation. Regular indoor lighting is not enough — the plant must be placed directly by a north-facing or west-facing window with maximum exposure. A glass sunroom or enclosed patio is ideal, as it mimics outdoor conditions.

Light: If natural light is limited, grow lights can be used to extend daylight hours. Without strong light, bougainvillea indoors will stay leafy and rarely flower.

Temperature: Bougainvillea prefers warmth and does poorly in consistently cool or draughty rooms. Keep it away from air conditioners, heaters, or cold windows during winter. Temperatures between 18–27°C are best.

Space: Indoors, bougainvillea tends to grow more slowly due to reduced light, but it can still sprawl if not pruned. A container-grown bougainvillea placed in a sunny living area or conservatory works best, while climbing types are unsuitable for small rooms.

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How to Keep Bougainvillea Small Indoors

Controlling size is the main challenge when keeping bougainvillea inside. The plant’s natural growth habit is vigorous, but it can be managed with pots, pruning, and feeding adjustments.

Pot size: Keeping bougainvillea root-bound in a smaller container naturally restricts its size. A 30–40 cm pot is usually enough for an indoor specimen. Avoid repotting too often, as this encourages it to expand quickly.

Pruning: Light trimming after each flush of flowers helps maintain a compact shape. Focus on shortening long runners and shaping the plant so it fits neatly within its space. Always prune just above a node to encourage bushier growth rather than long, straggly stems.

Feeding: For smaller indoor plants, balanced fertiliser is still important but should be used carefully. A liquid NPK 20-20-20 at 4ml per litre of water every 3–4 weeks is enough to keep the plant healthy without overstimulating excessive leafy growth.

Support: Even when kept small, bougainvillea may need a small stake or trellis inside the pot. This prevents stems from flopping and keeps the plant neat and upright.

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Care Tips, Fertiliser Use, and FAQs

While bougainvillea can be grown indoors, it performs best when given periods outdoors in full sun during warmer months. Moving pots outside for part of the year boosts flowering and overall health, then they can be brought back indoors when conditions are less favourable. Indoors, the plant will need careful watering — always allow the soil to dry slightly between waterings, as constant moisture leads to root problems quickly in containers.

Fertiliser routine: CompleteGrow’s All Purpose Plant Liquid Fertiliser (NPK 20-20-20) is ideal for potted bougainvillea, whether indoors or outside. Feeding lightly but consistently ensures the plant maintains its strength and bract production without overwhelming indoor conditions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can bougainvillea live indoors permanently?
It can survive indoors, but it usually won’t thrive long-term without very strong light. The best approach is moving it outside during sunny seasons.

Will bougainvillea flower indoors?
Only if it gets six or more hours of direct sunlight daily, or strong artificial grow lights. Without this, it will stay leafy with little flowering.

How do you keep bougainvillea small?
Use a smaller pot, prune regularly after flowering, and avoid heavy feeding that pushes excess growth.

Is bougainvillea suitable as a houseplant?
It isn’t a traditional houseplant because of its size and light needs, but it can be kept indoors temporarily or in bright conservatories with success.