Basic bonsai care is not hard to learn even if you are just starting out as a complete beginner. The process of caring for your bonsai is both a rewarding and meditative process that will help you appreciate the art of bonsai



As a beginning bonsai gardener, you may have many questions about appropriate bonsai care. By understanding the fundamentals, you can build a firm foundation upon which you can confidently grow your skills and expertise, right along with your new bonsai garden!

Bonsai Care: The Basics

As with any garden, the basic elements that your bonsai plant will need to thrive are the right soil, the appropriate amount of light, and the right amount of water.

One major need that bonsai trees have that makes it a little more demanding to care for than your regular plant is the need of light. Most bonsai trees are bred to be outdoors but if you are planning on keeping your bonsai indoors make sure to do a little research in what species that don't need as much light. It could also be a good idea to invest in a light, most indoor bonsai trees need up to 12 hours a day of fluorescent light to stay healthy.

Another important element of bonsai care is utilizing the right soil. In the "wild," trees grow tall due to their deep root systems, which dig deeply into the earth. In contrast, your bonsai will grow in a shallow tray or container, and therefore, your tree's root system cannot penetrate deeply downward. Instead, it will spread out shallowly, thereby reducing your tree's growth. For this reason, bonsai plants need a special mix of soil to ensure that their roots don't become waterlogged and drown. Because they are grown in such shallow containers, regular potting soil is much too dense and will trap too much water, killing the tree's roots, and eventually, the tree.

Bonsai soil is usually a mix of sand, loam, and organic leaf mold or peat moss. The climate you live in determines what exact soil to use. I suggest to ask your local nursery, bonsai shop or local bonsai enthusiast what soil is the right one for your tree.

Water and food

The most common beginner bonsai question is "how much should I water my bonsai?" The answer depends on a lot of factors, what kind of bonsai you have, how humid is it where you live, what season it is etc.

Ideally, in bonsai care, you want a balance between too much and too little. Don't over water-but don't underwater either. Make sure your water is at room temperature, as you don't want to shock your plant with either cold or hot water. If you use tap water, let it sit out overnight so that the chlorine and other chemicals can oxidize out of the water.

Wet the soil first, which will increase the bonsai's ability to take in more water. Afterwards, soak the soil until water runs out of the drainage holes in your training tray. Make sure that the entire soil mass gets wet. Watering is best done daily in the early morning, before the plant begins its daily photosynthesis cycle. You can also mist your bonsai on a daily basis to help it retain its necessary humidity levels.

The fertilizer used for most bonsai is a so called balanced fertilizer, which means equal part potassium, nitrogen and phosphorous. You can use this fertilizer every second week or so, but remember to water your plant generously first otherwise it might go into shock and die. Don't fertilize a sick or dry tree either for the same reason.

Now you have the skills to grow your bonsai tree into a fabulous piece of art. Just stick to the basic bonsai care fundamentals. The right soil, the appropriate amount of light and water, and using the right fertilizer.