How to Grow Bougainvillea Fast

Bougainvillea is already a vigorous plant, but many gardeners want to know how to make it grow faster and reach its full colour potential sooner. Rapid growth depends on giving the plant perfect conditions: full sunlight, free-draining soil, the right watering routine, and steady fertiliser. With these elements in place, bougainvillea can establish quickly and cover fences, walls, or pots with strong stems and bright bracts within a season.

Soil, Sunlight, and Watering for Fast Growth

Bougainvillea grows quickly when it feels “at home.” The first step is creating the right foundation in soil and positioning.

Soil: Use a free-draining mix that mimics its natural habitat. Sandy or loamy soils work best, while heavy clay or compacted soil slows root expansion. If planting in pots, lighten the mix with coarse sand or perlite.

Sunlight: Bougainvillea cannot be rushed without sun. Six hours of direct sunlight daily is the minimum for fast growth. More light means more energy for both strong stems and flower production.

Watering: Deep but infrequent watering helps roots spread quickly. Allow the soil to dry slightly between waterings. Overwatering slows growth, encourages rot, and shifts the plant into leaf mode instead of flower mode.

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Fertiliser and Pruning for Faster Results

Fertiliser is the engine behind fast bougainvillea growth. Without feeding, the plant may survive, but it will grow slowly and flower poorly. With the right fertiliser routine, you can speed up establishment and produce stronger blooms earlier.

Fertiliser routine for faster growth:

Use a balanced fertiliser like NPK 20-20-20 every 2–3 weeks to support root, leaf, and stem development.
Once the plant is established, switch to or combine with NPK 4-18-38 + Calcium & Magnesium to drive bract and flower production.
Always dilute at 4ml per litre of water to avoid overfeeding and keep nutrients steady.

Pruning: Cutting bougainvillea may seem counterproductive when aiming for fast growth, but it’s actually vital. Bougainvillea flowers only on new wood. Light pruning after each flush of colour keeps new shoots forming, which means quicker cycles of growth and blooming.

By combining fertiliser with pruning, the plant channels energy into both rapid stem extension and repeat flowering — the perfect balance for fast results.

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Growth Tips, Mistakes to Avoid, and FAQs

Many gardeners unintentionally slow bougainvillea down by overwatering or overfeeding with nitrogen. Too much nitrogen makes the plant leafy with fewer flowers, while soggy soil stunts roots. The fastest growth comes from a steady cycle: full sun, measured watering, balanced fertiliser, and regular pruning.

CompleteGrow’s All Purpose Plant Liquid Fertiliser (NPK 20-20-20) builds a strong foundation of roots and foliage, while the Advanced Formula NPK 4-18-38 + Calcium & Magnesium accelerates flowering and colour intensity. Used together across the growing season, they give bougainvillea the push it needs to establish and flower faster.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I make my bougainvillea grow faster?
Give it six hours of sun daily, use free-draining soil, water deeply but infrequently, and feed regularly with a balanced fertiliser.

What fertiliser helps bougainvillea grow quickly?
NPK 20-20-20 builds overall strength, while NPK 4-18-38 + CaMg boosts flowering speed and colour performance.

Why is my bougainvillea growing slowly?
Slow growth usually comes from low sunlight, overwatering, poor soil drainage, or lack of fertiliser.

Does pruning help bougainvillea grow faster?
Yes. Bougainvillea flowers on new wood. Light pruning encourages new shoots, speeding up both growth and blooming cycles.