Diagnose My Bougainvillea | Plant Health Quiz

Common Bougainvillea Problems This Tool Diagnoses

This diagnostic quiz covers the most frequent health issues reported by bougainvillea growers. Yellow leaves are often the first sign of overwatering, underwatering, or nutrient deficiency — particularly nitrogen or iron. Drooping leaves and sudden leaf drop usually point to root rot from waterlogged soil, transplant shock after repotting, or severe underwatering. Lack of blooms is typically caused by low light, excess nitrogen fertilizer, or overwatering that keeps the plant too comfortable to stress-bloom.

For pest-related symptoms, the quiz routes toward thrips (which cause silvery streaking on bracts), mealybugs (white cottony clusters on stems), scale insects (brown bumps on woody growth), and fungus gnats (tiny flies hovering near the soil surface). Disease symptoms such as dark water-soaked spots may indicate bacterial blight or leaf spot fungal infection, while powdery white coating points to powdery mildew. Cold damage causes blackened or mushy stem tips after frost exposure.

After completing the quiz, explore our full care guides on watering, fertilizer ratios, repotting timing, and root rot prevention for deeper guidance tailored to bougainvillea.