Bougainvillea Diseases

Bougainvilleas (​Bougainvillea​ spp.), tropical evergreen woody vines native to South America, are thorny plants best known for their colorful blooms. These are not flowers themselves, but modified leaves called bracts that surround a smaller, creamy-white blossom. The bracts range in color from white to pink, purple or deep red, depending on the variety or cultivar. Bougainvilleas grow best in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 9 to 11, but are often grown as annuals in cooler climates.

Bouganvilleas prefer full sunlight and well-drained, nutrient-rich, acidic soil with a pH between 5.5 and 6.0. Growers cultivate them as accent plants, as container plants or in hanging baskets. These plants also work well for ground cover, or as bushes, shrubs or hedges. Bougainvilleas are remarkably healthy, but occasionally they develop fungal, bacterial or parasitic infections.

The earliest symptom of bacterial or fungal leaf spot is an outbreak of reddish-brown speckles on young foliage. The spots enlarge, becoming rounded or irregular in shape, and the tissue in the center begins to die, eventually forming a tan spot with reddish-brown margins. As the disease progresses, the bracts and foliage may become misshapen. The leaves develop a ragged appearance, and leaf loss sometimes occurs if the disease becomes severe.

You can avoid bougainvillea diseases by planting full-sized cultivars between 6 and 9 feet apart, or smaller cultivars between 3 and 5 feet apart, to allow good air circulation between plants. Water bougainvilleas from below rather than overhead, and promptly remove dead leaves to keep leaf spot diseases from spreading.

Fungi such as Rhizoctonia, Phytophthora and Pythium attack bougainvilleas planted in heavy or poorly drained soil. The leaves may turn yellow, and parts or all of the plant may grow poorly. Severely infected bougainvilleas may wilt or die.

You can prevent root rot by applying a broad-spectrum fungicide such as copper ammonium before planting. Mix 2 teaspoons into a gallon of water and spray the soil thoroughly. Repeat every seven to 14 days as needed. Do not plant your bougainvilleas where water stands or pools after it rains, and do not overwater them.

Chlorosis is more of a symptom than a disease in itself. If your foliage starts to turn yellow, or if you notice that the leaves have become pale with deep green veins, your plant might be suffering from nitrogen, iron or magnesium deficiency. This disorder can closely mimic leaf or root diseases. Fertilize plants with a micronutrient fertilizer blend such as 6-8-10. You can also spray plants with 1 to 2 teaspoons per gallon of Epsom salts to treat chlorosis on old growth.

Nematodes are parasitic roundworms that attack bougainvillea roots. Plants with nematode infestations cannot absorb water and nutrients. Symptoms include a thin canopy, poor growth, wilting, leaf loss, yellow foliage and deformed roots.

You can lower the nematode population by incorporating materials such as compost, wood shavings or manure into the soil before planting. You can also kill nematodes by solarizing the soil using plastic tarps before you plant your bougainvillea. Use a UV-stabilized, transparent plastic sheet to cover a well-watered garden bed located in full sun. Bury its edges 5 to 6 inches into the soil. Leave the tarp in place for 2 to 4 weeks.