Bougainvillea, Key West White

Bougainvillea ‘Key West White’: Pure, Radiant, and Effortlessly Elegant

Looking for a plant that glows with clean, classic beauty and thrives under the sun? Meet Bougainvillea ‘Key West White’—a bright, tropical wonder that brings soft white bracts and lush green foliage together in a spectacular show of contrast. Whether spilling over a wall or climbing into the sky, this variety brings a sense of peaceful brightness and timeless charm to any garden space.

But don’t let its delicate look fool you. ‘Key West White’ is as tough and drought-tolerant as they come. Once established, it blooms abundantly with very little care.

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What Makes 'Key West White' So Special?

While many bougainvilleas come in fiery pinks and bold oranges, ‘Key West White’ stands out for its cool, crisp elegance. Its snow-white bracts create a soft, glowing effect—especially under sunlight or moonlight. This is a plant that can brighten even the hottest corners of your landscape.

What you’ll love most:

• Bright white blooms that reflect light and add contrast to colorful gardens

• Vigorous climbing growth for fences, arbors, and trellises

• Extended bloom season from spring through fall in warm climates

• Excellent drought and heat tolerance

• Versatile use in containers or garden beds

It’s the perfect balance of showy and serene.

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Where to Plant Bougainvillea ‘Key West White’

This plant works beautifully as a statement piece or a supporting cast member. Use it to soften bold colors, brighten dark corners, or create a stunning monochromatic look.

Here are a few favorite placements:

• Climbing trellises, arbors, or fences for vertical impact

• Trailing over retaining walls or hanging baskets

• In large patio pots with a support structure or trained into a topiary

• Paired with colorful varieties like ‘Imperial Thai Delight’ or ‘Sundown Orange’ for contrast

• Lighting up nighttime gardens—its white blooms shine under outdoor lights or moonlight

Plant it where it can stretch out and soak up the sun, and it will reward you with a sea of glowing white bracts.

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How to Grow and Care for Bougainvillea ‘Key West White’

Bougainvillea is not a fussy plant. Once you understand its few basic needs, it thrives with very little input.

☀️ 1. It Loves the Sun

Bougainvillea only blooms when it’s in full, direct sunlight. Think 6+ hours a day—minimum.

Sun = bracts. Shade = leaves.

A spot with all-day sun or strong afternoon rays is ideal. If it's not blooming, the first thing to check is how much light it's getting.

🌱 2. Fast-Draining Soil Only

Bougainvillea roots like air and dryness. Wet feet will slow it down—or worse, cause root rot.

• In the ground: Choose sandy or loamy soil.

• In containers: Use a cactus or succulent mix.

• Avoid heavy clay soils or spots that stay soggy after rain.

If you’re planting in a container, make sure it has good drainage holes and never sits in standing water.

💧 3. Go Easy on the Water

Once it's settled in, this plant prefers to stay dry between drinks. Overwatering leads to leaf growth, not flowers.

• After planting: water deeply to help roots establish.

• After that: only water when the soil is completely dry.

• In pots: check the top 1–2 inches of soil before watering.

A little stress encourages blooming. Don’t be too nice.

🌸 4. Feed for Flowers, Not Foliage

‘Key West White’ doesn’t need heavy feeding, but the right nutrients will help it bloom more often.

• Use a low-nitrogen fertilizer (like 5-10-10 or 2-10-10).

• Apply every 4–6 weeks during the growing season.

• Avoid fertilizers high in nitrogen—they’ll give you leaves, not bracts.

Look for fertilizers labeled "bloom booster" or made for flowering vines.

✂️ 5. Prune and Train

Pruning helps you control the shape and size—and encourages more flowers.

• Prune lightly after each bloom cycle to keep it neat.

• In early spring, give it a harder trim to shape and remove old or tangled growth.

• Train it early if climbing, using ties or trellis supports.

This is a plant that loves to be shaped and responds beautifully to pruning.

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Growing in Containers

‘Key West White’ looks incredible in large patio containers, especially when trained up a trellis or allowed to spill over.

Tips for success:

• Use a large pot with excellent drainage

• Choose a lightweight, fast-draining soil mix

• Place it in direct sun

• Let soil dry between watering

• Feed monthly with a bloom-focused fertilizer

Containers are especially helpful in cooler climates—just bring it indoors or into a protected space before the first frost.

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Winter Care and Cold Protection

Bougainvillea ‘Key West White’ is best grown in USDA Zones 9–11, but with a little planning, gardeners in cooler zones can enjoy it too.

For cold climates:

• Grow in containers so you can move it indoors in winter

• Protect in-ground plants with frost cloths or heavy mulch

• Cut back watering during the colder months

• Let it go semi-dormant—it will return when the warmth does

Even if frost damages the top, many plants bounce back from the base in spring.

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Common Questions About ‘Key West White’

Why is it not flowering?
Three likely reasons: too much shade, too much water, or too much nitrogen. Give it more sun, less water, and use a bloom-boosting fertilizer.

Can it grow indoors?
Only with very bright light, like a greenhouse or sunroom. Bougainvillea generally struggles to bloom indoors due to lack of direct sunlight.

Does it have thorns?
Yes. Like most bougainvilleas, it has thorny stems, so wear gloves when pruning or planting.

Is it safe around pets?
It’s not highly toxic, but the sap and thorns can irritate skin or cause mild discomfort. Best to keep it away from nibbling pets and small children.

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A Plant That Glows with Grace

Bougainvillea ‘Key West White’ is the essence of simplicity and elegance. Its pure white bracts bring a cool, calming energy to hot, sunny landscapes, and it’s tough enough to thrive where other plants struggle.

With a little sun, a little space, and a little patience, this beauty becomes a garden star—a glowing reminder that sometimes, the most stunning things are also the simplest to grow.

Let it climb, let it spill, let it shine. It’s ready to light up your world.