Bougainvillea

Bougainvillea Comm. ex Juss.

Zones: 9b to 11b

Vigorous Climbing Vine
Thorny: Handle with Care

Pet & Human Safety

People: Not researchedPets: Not on the ASPCA lists as we read them

Hazardous parts

Not yet checked.

Preparation

Not applicable. Not a food plant

Hazard type

The NC State page lists no poison information. That is not a statement that the plant is safe., Thorns or spines (NC State lists Spines/Thorns among this plant's problems)

Hazard route

Not yet checked.

How complete this information is

We have not researched the safety of this plant yet.

Toxic to pets

No ASPCA entry found.

Neither ASPCA nor NC State Extension lists a toxicity verdict for Bougainvillea. It commonly appears on informal "pet-safe" plant lists online, but that claim is not confirmed by ASPCA or a land-grant university source, so it is recorded here as unconfirmed rather than non-toxic. The real, well-documented hazard is mechanical: sharp, curved thorns that can injure a curious pet or child.

PlotAndPetal cannot tell you whether a plant you found can be eaten. Only someone who can see the plant can identify it.

Poison control

If someone has collapsed, cannot be woken, is having a seizure or has trouble breathing, call 911 now. For any other possible poisoning, call Poison Help: 1-800-222-1222.

Emergency number source: U.S. federal law (47 U.S.C. § 251(e)(3)), read 2026-10-07.

Naturalist Lore

Historical Background & Breeding Lore

The history of this plant and its name, and how it was bred, where we have them.

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Care

Hardiness zones: USDA zones 9b to 11b
Mature size: 15-40 feet in both height and width when given a structure to climb (NC State Extension); readily kept much smaller and shrubbier with regular pruning.
Family: Nyctaginaceae (four-o'clock family)
Where it comes from: Brazil, now distributed across Asia, Africa, tropical America, the West Indies, the Mediterranean, and many Pacific and Indian Ocean islands (NC State Extension).

Soil & Drainage

Pruning & Flush Rhythm

Feeding Schedule

How to prepare the soil, when and what to feed, and how and when to prune where that applies.

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