The Best Time to Trim Bougainvillea

Pruning Time

• Bougainvillea has a rapid growth rate and produces blooms at the tips of the new growth. The recommended time to prune or trim the vine is during early spring in the middle of March, as cited by Leslie Land in "The New York Times 1000 Gardening Questions & Answers." The cut limbs rapidly produce new branches. The next pruning phase is called pinching where new branch tips are pinched off.

Pruning Method

• Trimming or pruning bougainvillea not only helps keep the vine in shape but also encourages blooming. When pruning, cut out all stems and leaves growing from the trunk. Cut the main branches above the main trunk slightly and reduce the size of the secondary limbs to 1/3 the original size. Keep the vine well watered after pruning and apply diluted fertilizer ever other week to produce more flowers.

Pinching Method

• Pinching removes the soft, succulent growth at the newly cut branch tips. This encourages fuller growth in plant. Pinch off the new growth with fingertips when it has three leaves. The vine starts developing several new branches under these pinched tips. Regular pinching increases branching, recommends the Bougainvillea Growers International.

Growth Requirements

• Bougainvillea adapts well to a variety of soil types but grows best in well-draining, fertile loam. Plant bougainvillea in a hot, sunny site and irrigate it moderately. Excessive watering leads to reduced flowering. The vine is salt and drought tolerant for short periods. Bougainvillea thrives in containers and is easy to propagate with cuttings.