How to Revive a Bougainvillea

Bougainvillea is tough, but poor conditions, neglect, or sudden stress can leave it looking weak or even close to dying. Reviving bougainvillea means identifying what went wrong — too much water, too little sun, root issues, or nutrient imbalance — and correcting it before the plant declines further. With the right care, even a struggling bougainvillea can recover and return to producing strong growth and colourful bracts.

Step 1: Diagnose the Problem

The first step in revival is working out why the bougainvillea is struggling. The symptoms usually point to the cause:

Yellowing leaves, weak stems: Often caused by overwatering or poor drainage. Bougainvillea roots suffocate if constantly wet.
Leaf drop and slow growth: Lack of sunlight. Without six hours of direct sun, bougainvillea cannot thrive.
No flowers, only leaves: Too much nitrogen in the soil, or lack of potassium. Fertiliser imbalance prevents bract formation.
Brown, crisp leaves: Underwatering or extreme heat stress. In pots, soil can dry out too fast.

Check soil moisture, sunlight levels, and recent fertiliser use before making changes. Most revival steps depend on correcting one of these basics.

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Step 2: Reset Conditions for Recovery

Once the cause is identified, reset conditions so the plant can rebuild strength:

Soil and drainage: If roots are sitting in water, repot into fresh, free-draining soil. For garden beds, improve drainage with coarse sand or perlite.
Watering: Switch to deep but infrequent watering. Let the top few centimetres of soil dry before watering again.
Sunlight: Move potted bougainvillea into the sunniest spot possible. In the ground, prune nearby plants if shade is blocking light.
Pruning: Remove dead or damaged stems. Lightly prune back healthy stems to stimulate new growth points.

Fertiliser for revival: Start with a balanced feed. CompleteGrow’s All Purpose Plant Liquid Fertiliser (NPK 20-20-20) at 4ml per litre every 2–3 weeks rebuilds roots and foliage without stressing the plant. Once the bougainvillea shows new shoots, you can later switch to a bloom-focused feed to restore colour.

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Step 3: Support Regrowth and Return to Blooming

Revival takes patience. Bougainvillea may need several weeks to respond once conditions improve, but with consistent care it will bounce back. The goal is to first restore leafy growth, then encourage flowering once the plant is stable.

Long-term feeding: After recovery, move to CompleteGrow’s Advanced Formula NPK 4-18-38 + Calcium & Magnesium. Its high potassium supports flowering cycles, while calcium and magnesium strengthen the leaves and stems. Continue alternating with NPK 20-20-20 for balanced growth and blooms.

Ongoing care: Keep pruning lightly after each flowering flush, maintain deep but infrequent watering, and ensure full sun exposure. With this cycle in place, bougainvillea not only recovers but returns stronger than before.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a dying bougainvillea be saved?
Yes. By fixing drainage, restoring sunlight, pruning damaged stems, and feeding correctly, even a struggling bougainvillea can recover.

Why is my bougainvillea losing leaves?
This is usually from overwatering, lack of light, or sudden stress. Adjust conditions and allow time for recovery.

What fertiliser helps revive bougainvillea?
Start with NPK 20-20-20 for balanced recovery, then use 4-18-38 + CaMg once new shoots appear to restore flowers.

How long does revival take?
Depending on severity, recovery may take several weeks to a full season. With proper feeding and sunlight, bougainvillea typically responds quickly.