Garden Blog - Top Tropicals
Date: 4 Aug 2026
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🌸 Growing Bougainvillea arborea in Containers: Training, Pruning, and Shaping Tips
Q: "I bought a Bougainvillea arborea from Top Tropicals this spring and have been amazed by how fast it's growing. Unlike my regular bougainvilleas, it's sending shoots in every direction, and I can't even tell which one should become the trunk. Since I live in New York (Zone 6B), I'll be growing it in a container and bringing it indoors for winter. Can this species be trained into a standard, or is it better grown as a bush? And can it live long-term in a 5-gallon pot?"
🌸 Why Doesn't Bougainvillea arborea Grow Like Other Bougainvilleas?
Bougainvillea arborea is quite different from the familiar Bougainvillea glabra and B. spectabilis.
One of the things that makes it so special is that it's naturally thornless, has a graceful tree-like habit without producing the long, sprawling, arching canes typical of common bougainvilleas, and bears beautiful clusters of lavender flowers.
This species is also surprisingly cold hardy for a bougainvillea. During 2026 Florida's record freeze, our 2- to 3-year-old plants growing in the ground without cold protection survived three nights around 25F with no significant damage, while regular bougainvilleas throughout the area - even large, established bushes - were killed.
Of course, in Zone 6B it will still need to spend the winter indoors.
🌸 Tree or Bush? How to Train Bougainvillea arborea
1. Can it be trained into a standard?
Yes. While the plant is young, simply choose the strongest upright shoot to become the trunk and gradually remove the lower side branches as it grows. Don't worry if there isn't one obvious trunk yet; you can let it grow a little more before selecting the main leader. Once the trunk and canopy are established, very little pruning is needed to maintain the shape.
2. Can it be grown as a bush?
Absolutely, and for a container-grown plant, this is actually the option we would recommend. Instead of removing the lower branches, lightly tip-prune the shoots to encourage branching. The result is a tall, upright, columnar shrub that stays naturally elegant without becoming an oversized tree. In our experience, this form is easier to maintain in a container over the long term.
🌸 Pot size that works best
A 5- to 7-gallon pot is an excellent permanent size for this species, provided you do occasional light pruning to keep the overall size in balance with the container.
Once the plant starts growing vigorously, it's time to begin shaping it toward whichever form you prefer. The important pruning is only during the initial training stage. After that, it tends to hold its shape well and requires very little maintenance.
Once it matures and begins flowering, those lavender blooms are well worth the wait!
🛒 Grow Your Own Thornless Tree Bougainvillea
Bougainvillea arborea in Plant Encyclopedia
Bougainvillea that is thornless and grows as a tree
What bougainvillea doesn't need pruning
🎥 Thornless Bougainvillea Tree YouTube Video
#How_to #Fun_facts #Discover #Trees #Container_Garden
🟢 Join 👉 TopTropicals
Q: "I bought a Bougainvillea arborea from Top Tropicals this spring and have been amazed by how fast it's growing. Unlike my regular bougainvilleas, it's sending shoots in every direction, and I can't even tell which one should become the trunk. Since I live in New York (Zone 6B), I'll be growing it in a container and bringing it indoors for winter. Can this species be trained into a standard, or is it better grown as a bush? And can it live long-term in a 5-gallon pot?"
🌸 Why Doesn't Bougainvillea arborea Grow Like Other Bougainvilleas?
Bougainvillea arborea is quite different from the familiar Bougainvillea glabra and B. spectabilis.
One of the things that makes it so special is that it's naturally thornless, has a graceful tree-like habit without producing the long, sprawling, arching canes typical of common bougainvilleas, and bears beautiful clusters of lavender flowers.
This species is also surprisingly cold hardy for a bougainvillea. During 2026 Florida's record freeze, our 2- to 3-year-old plants growing in the ground without cold protection survived three nights around 25F with no significant damage, while regular bougainvilleas throughout the area - even large, established bushes - were killed.
Of course, in Zone 6B it will still need to spend the winter indoors.
🌸 Tree or Bush? How to Train Bougainvillea arborea
1. Can it be trained into a standard?
Yes. While the plant is young, simply choose the strongest upright shoot to become the trunk and gradually remove the lower side branches as it grows. Don't worry if there isn't one obvious trunk yet; you can let it grow a little more before selecting the main leader. Once the trunk and canopy are established, very little pruning is needed to maintain the shape.
2. Can it be grown as a bush?
Absolutely, and for a container-grown plant, this is actually the option we would recommend. Instead of removing the lower branches, lightly tip-prune the shoots to encourage branching. The result is a tall, upright, columnar shrub that stays naturally elegant without becoming an oversized tree. In our experience, this form is easier to maintain in a container over the long term.
🌸 Pot size that works best
A 5- to 7-gallon pot is an excellent permanent size for this species, provided you do occasional light pruning to keep the overall size in balance with the container.
Once the plant starts growing vigorously, it's time to begin shaping it toward whichever form you prefer. The important pruning is only during the initial training stage. After that, it tends to hold its shape well and requires very little maintenance.
Once it matures and begins flowering, those lavender blooms are well worth the wait!
🛒 Grow Your Own Thornless Tree Bougainvillea
📚 Learn more:
Bougainvillea arborea in Plant Encyclopedia
Bougainvillea that is thornless and grows as a tree
What bougainvillea doesn't need pruning
🎥 Thornless Bougainvillea Tree YouTube Video
#How_to #Fun_facts #Discover #Trees #Container_Garden
🟢 Join 👉 TopTropicals