Bougainvillea needs full sun exposure, at least six hours a day, to produce a big show of flowers. These tropical plants love heat, too. Both are essential to bougainvillea plant care. I have five bougainvilleas growing at my home here in Tucson. Three get less sun and bloom less than the ones that get 6-7 hours of sun a day. So, if yours gets morning sun only, it won't grow as fast or bloom as much.