Bougainvillea needs a bright position and a well-drained root zone. Check the season and plant growth before making major changes to watering or pruning.
Bougainvillea needs light, warmth and support
The bright display consists mainly of colored bracts around smaller flowers. Choose a suitably bright site and a support for mature stems. A plant bought in bloom may have been grown in much stronger light than a dim room provides.
Water the roots, then let the medium dry appropriately
Use an open growing mix in a draining container. An actively leafy plant needs water, but leaving the pot saturated is not a flowering aid. Cool, slower growth uses less water.
Train and prune deliberately
Guide stems before they become tangled. Selective pruning can shape the plant and influence the next growth, while constant removal of every tip can delay the display. Handle thorny stems carefully and do not rely on severe drought to force bracts.
Protect the plant before damaging cold
Bougainvillea is tender in cold climates. Choose an appropriate bright protected space rather than leaving a summer pot outside by default. Fewer flowers need a review of light, maturity, pruning and roots before stronger fertilizer is added.
Related reading
Bougainvillea Not Flowering: Light, Growth and Pruning