How to Care for an Indoor Bonsai

A bonsai tree is a beautiful example of an ancient tradition. Because bonsai trees are so attractive, many people love to display them in their houses. Indoor bonsai plants will need extra care since they do not reap the full benefits of natural sunlight and natural weather conditions. Although they might look quite hardy, a bonsai can be very delicate, requiring precision watering and lighting.

Watering Your Indoor Bonsai

When you bring a bonsai tree indoors it will require sufficient lighting to replace the natural sunlight that it would have been receiving outdoors. Your plant will appreciate being located in an area with lots of air movement. The frequency of watering your bonsai is dependent on the type of plant you have and the condition of its soil. There are some bonsai trees that require well watered soil, but others are able to survive with almost no moisture.

Misting your plant may be necessary to produce a sort of rainforest humidity in which it will thrive. Humidity trays can be useful, but don't let the pot sit right in the water; it should be sitting on a stand or some stones.

Pruning and Cutting

The indoor bonsai tree will still need to be regularly pruned and cut to maintain its appearance. A bonsai tree might appear to be frozen in time, but that doesn't mean it's not growing. A bonsai tree needs to be repotted somewhere between one to three years, depending on the type, whether it's an outdoor or indoor plant. As well, you'll need to give proper maintenance to the branches in order to preserve its distinctive style.

In the wintertime, you'll likely have to reduce fertilization, depending on the type of bonsai you have. This is due to the fact that some bonsai species become dormant in this season, and will not need the level of nutrients that they do in the warmer seasons. Your indoor bonsai might not fully experience the whole cycle of seasons because it is in an artificial environment.

It's important to check your indoor bonsai for pests and any other abnormalities that might show up. Since they're indoors, they will likely attract mites and spiders from the outside. It is best to gently clean the leaves and branches of your indoor bonsai plant with a damp cloth or a brush.