People may say that learning how to care for a bonsai tree is not for the faint of heart. But in reality, it can be a wonderful therapeutic experience. These young trees are cared for in the most delicate way, and caring for them is often a very deliberate activity.
You may be surprised to know that bonsai is not a specific type of tree – there are many different types of bonsai trees. Depending on which tree you plant in miniature form—perhaps oak, hawthorn, cherry, birch or maple—it will have different needs.
Whether you’re a houseplant newbie or have a house full of the best indoor plants, adding a bonsai tree to your collection is a great idea.
‘The Japanese art of bonsai translates as ‘Chinese culture’, and aims to create small trees in shallow containers that have the same style, shape and mystery as their forest-dwelling counterparts,’ says Anne Swithinbank, horticulturist, gardener and writer.
We show you how to make these interesting plants look their best.
How to water a bonsai tree
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Bonsai is not one of the best low maintenance indoor plants as it cannot be watered with a strict routine in mind. Instead, you need to be attentive to your bonsai’s needs.
The general rule is to water your bonsai about once a week or so, when the topsoil is pale in color and looks completely dry and firm to the touch. To do this, try either:
- Watering is carried out with a fine spray for about 30 seconds. Soak the whole plant, the leaves, as well as the soil. It is probably best to do this outdoors.
- The flood watering method is a popular choice for bonsai trees. Fill a basin with water to the level of the bonsai tree’s soil, then place the bonsai directly inside it. You will notice the soil changing color as water is absorbed through the drainage holes.
At a minimum, you should water approximately every 10 days; Longer than that, and your bonsai will be underwater. You will know that your bonsai has reached this stage when the leaves become brown, dry, or wilted. The tree’s bark may also appear cracked and dry.
As with most plants, you can of course overwater your bonsai tree because the roots will rot if they are soaked too much. It is easier to harm your bonsai by underwatering rather than by overwatering, so make sure it gets enough water to drink.
How much light does a bonsai tree need?
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Since bonsai are miniature trees, they love direct natural sunlight. Placing your bonsai on a windowsill so that it receives a continuous stream of south-facing sunlight for 5-6 hours is the optimal amount. Try to avoid midday sun, as this may burn the leaves.
Without enough light, your bonsai will not wither and die immediately, but its root and trunk structure and overall growth will gradually weaken. You will know that your bonsai is not getting enough light if the branches are long and bright green.
Anne Swithinbank
Anne Swithinbank is one of the world’s best-known gardening experts, authors and horticulturists. Anne contributes regularly to Houses and gardens And the title of our sister Amateur gardening.
How should you prune and shape a bonsai tree?
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Pruning bonsai is relatively easy, and is definitely the quietest part of their care. You can use regular scissors if they are clean, but we recommend using bonsai-friendly tools, such as branch shears.
You can prune a bonsai tree throughout the growing season if it is outdoors (bonsai make a great addition to any Japanese garden), but indoor bonsai can handle pruning at any time of the year. However, bonsai is like any other plant: once pruned, it needs time to recover.
Besides trimming any dead branches, you will usually prune your bonsai tree to improve its shape. This means giving priority to growth on the outer stems so that the leaves are smaller and closer together.
“The bottom line in bonsai is to look carefully at your tree and try to get a feel for what you want it to look like, and then combine that with what you want it to look like,” says Anne.
You can also prune the roots of your bonsai to keep the tree healthy. Carefully loosen your tree and gently disentangle the root ball, made up of thin, fibrous roots and thicker tap roots. Any thin roots that obstruct or compromise the underlying roots should be cut back.
If you’re going to replant your tree, Anne recommends leaving this process until spring — just before the tree returns to growth.
A healthy bonsai tree will have foliage and branches in proportion to its size, bright green leaves, roots that appear slightly above the soil, and a smooth, stable trunk.
How do I start a bonsai tree?
(Image credit: Getty Images/Letizia Le Fur)
Creating a bonsai tree for your indoor garden is easier than you might expect. “Trees often settle from seed in gardens, and it’s a good idea to raise some of these free seedlings to grow and start as bonsai,” says Anne.
Simply remove some of the old compost from the roots with a stick or fork, trim the root system back to form a shallow, circular shape, then place it in a small container containing 2 parts peat-free compost, 2 parts gravel, and 1 part gravel. Part of the fertilizer.
You can use bonsai wire, available on Amazon, to train the stem into the shape you want – gently wrap it around, working up from the base, and bend it to fit. They can then be removed after three months.
(Image credit: Getty Images/Connell Jay)
common questions
What tools do I need to prune a bonsai tree?
You need to be able to make precise cuts on bonsai trees with clean edges, so using the right equipment is vital. There are a wide range of specialized tools available depending on the size and variety of your bonsai plant. Small, narrow pruning shears are essential to allow easy pruning in the middle of the tree, for example. Take a look at these bonsai pruning kits available on Amazon.
Obviously, caring for a bonsai tree requires a little specialized knowledge, but once you understand its needs and how it grows, shaping and nurturing a bonsai tree over time can be incredibly rewarding.