Planting Bougainvillea Bougainvillea needs lots of sun. Plant one in a shady spot and you won’t get the riot of blooms — the whole point of planting bougainvillea. You’ll get vines and thorns. It needs at least six hours of sun per day. The soil must be well-drained soil. They don’t like to remain wet for too long and can get root rot in heavy soil. They like gritty, loose soil. Handle the root ball with care. Bougainvillea roots are thin and can be easily damaged during transplanting. Water after planting and then weekly until the plant is established. Once it’s established (which generally takes one to two years), stop watering it except in times of extreme drought. Bougainvillea likes it dry.
