How to Make Bougainvillea Grow Faster

Bougainvillea is naturally vigorous, but you can speed up its growth and flowering with the right care. Faster growth comes from creating the perfect foundation: well-draining soil, strong sunlight, controlled watering, regular pruning, and a fertiliser program that fuels both stems and flowers. By managing these factors, bougainvillea quickly establishes itself and produces colour-filled displays sooner.

Soil, Light, and Watering for Faster Growth

The fastest way to boost bougainvillea growth is to match its natural conditions. This plant thrives in bright, dry, and free-draining environments, so your setup should replicate that as closely as possible.

Soil: Use sandy or loamy soil with excellent drainage. For pots, choose a premium potting mix blended for flowering plants and add perlite or coarse sand to keep it light. Compacted or waterlogged soil will slow roots and limit growth.

Sunlight: Full sun is non-negotiable. Bougainvillea needs six or more hours of direct sunlight daily to grow quickly. The more sunlight it receives, the faster it can push out new stems and flowers.

Watering: Deep watering encourages root expansion, but the soil must dry slightly between waterings. Overwatering slows growth and increases leafiness at the expense of blooms. Underwatering can stall the plant entirely. Finding the balance is key.

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Fertiliser and Pruning to Accelerate Growth

Fertiliser is the fuel that makes bougainvillea grow faster. Without it, the plant will survive but remain slow and uneven. With a consistent feeding program, growth and flowering speed up dramatically.

Fertiliser program for faster growth:

Foundation feeding: Use NPK 20-20-20 every 2–3 weeks to build roots, stems, and foliage evenly.
Bloom booster: When aiming for faster flowering, switch to or combine with NPK 4-18-38 + Calcium & Magnesium. The high potassium promotes bracts and repeat blooms, while calcium and magnesium strengthen growth.
Application: Always dilute at 4ml per litre of water. Feed directly to the soil after watering for maximum uptake.

Pruning for speed: Bougainvillea flowers on new wood, so pruning isn’t just about shape — it accelerates growth. Lightly prune after each flowering cycle to trigger fresh shoots. These new shoots grow quickly and carry the next blooms.

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Tips, Mistakes to Avoid, and FAQs

Many gardeners slow their bougainvillea without realising it. Overfeeding with nitrogen leads to lush leaves but few flowers. Overwatering reduces root oxygen and stalls growth. Lack of sunlight is the single biggest reason for slow plants. Correct these mistakes, pair them with steady fertiliser, and bougainvillea will rapidly establish itself.

CompleteGrow’s All Purpose Plant Liquid Fertiliser (NPK 20-20-20) is perfect for building a strong growth base, while the Advanced Formula NPK 4-18-38 + Calcium & Magnesium pushes flowering speed and colour intensity. Together, they form the most effective way to make bougainvillea grow and bloom faster.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I make bougainvillea grow faster?
Plant it in free-draining soil, give it six hours of sun daily, water deeply but not constantly, and feed every 2–3 weeks with a balanced fertiliser.

What fertiliser helps bougainvillea grow faster?
NPK 20-20-20 supports overall growth, while 4-18-38 + CaMg boosts flowering speed and colour intensity.

Does pruning help bougainvillea grow quicker?
Yes. Bougainvillea flowers only on new growth. Light pruning triggers fresh shoots, which grow quickly and carry blooms.

Why is my bougainvillea slow to establish?
Common causes include poor drainage, too little sun, overwatering, or lack of fertiliser. Fixing these conditions speeds up growth.