Bougainvillea and Frost Damage
- Hard freezes kill bougainvilleas, but light freezes only cause leaves and bracts to fall off the plant. Cut off frost-damaged parts to allow for new growth.
- Bougainvilleas overwinter indoors as houseplants in a brightly lit room. They also survive if put in storage, recovering rapidly when brought outdoors again in the spring.
- Choose hardy varieties, such as Bougainvillea spectabilis cultivars. They still sustain frost damage, but grow and recover quickly, according to the National Gardening Association.