Pocket Botanist
Check these first
- Feel the top few inches of the soil.
- Check if the pot has drainage holes.
- Inspect the base of the stem for mushy tissue.
Likely causes
Overwatering
Most likelyHow to tell: The leaves turn yellow and drop, and the soil feels soggy. The stems may look mushy or dark near the base.
What to do: Stop watering immediately and allow the top 3 inches of soil to dry out. If the soil is heavy, repot the plant into a well-draining cactus or succulent mix.
Poor Drainage
PossibleHow to tell: Water sits in the saucer or the pot has no drainage holes. The plant shows signs of distress even when you water sparingly.
What to do: Ensure your pot has large drainage holes at the bottom. Never let the pot sit in a tray of standing water for more than 30 minutes.
Find out what's wrong with your bougainvillea
The list above covers the usual causes. Pocket Botanist looks at a photo of your actual plant and tells you the likely cause, how serious it is, and what to try first. Identification and a health check are free.
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When to worry
If the stem base is soft and mushy, the rot may be too advanced to save the plant. Act as soon as you notice the soil staying wet for more than 14 days.
Stopping it coming back
Always let the soil dry out significantly between waterings. Use a fast-draining potting mix to ensure roots get plenty of oxygen.
Bougainvillea: root rot? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your bougainvillea and Pocket Botanist tells you which cause is most likely, how serious it is, and what to try first. A few checks a day are free. Save the plant and you get care reminders timed for it.
Scan with your phone's camera to get the app
Or go to pocketbotanist.app/get on your phone
Get the app · Or check it from a photo now, free
Questions people ask
- How do I know if the roots are rotten?
- Healthy roots are firm and light-colored. If you pull the plant out and find roots that are slimy, black, or smell bad, that is root rot.
- Can I save a plant with root rot?
- If the rot is minor, you can trim away the dead roots and repot in fresh, dry soil. If the majority of the root system is mushy, it is often best to start over.
More problems with Bougainvillea
- Why is my bougainvillea not flowering?
- What are these bugs on my bougainvillea?
- Why are my bougainvillea's leaves turning yellow?
- Why is my bougainvillea dropping its leaves?
- Why is my bougainvillea growing long and leggy?
- Why are my bougainvillea's leaf tips turning brown?
- Why is my bougainvillea drooping?
- Why are there spots on my bougainvillea leaves?
- Why are my bougainvillea leaves curling?
Back to the Bougainvillea guide
This article was generated with AI on from the plant’s care profile and is general information, not horticultural advice. Read about how we build these guides.