How to Care for an Indoor Bonsai

A bonsai plant is a striking reminder of a longstanding art. Because bonsai trees are so attractive, many people love to display them in their houses. Special care is required for your indoor bonsai trees since they're not exposed to full, natural sunlight and outdoor weather. In spite of their hardy appearance, some bonsai plants may be fragile when it comes to light and water.

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 type of bonsai you have will dictate how often you need to water it, as will the state of the soil it is planted in. Some plants or trees need to have damp soil while others thrive well in spite of a drought.

Your bonsai tree will thrive in high humidity, which can be achieved by regular misting. A humidity tray may be used but make sure that the pot is not exposed to the water but is instead on some pebbles or a stand.

Pruning and Cutting

The indoor bonsai tree will still need to be regularly pruned and cut to maintain its appearance. Bonsais often appear changeless; however, they are definitely a living, growing tree. 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. The branches will also need to be maintained to keep its style intact.

You might need to reduce the amount of fertilizer you use during the winter, depending on the variety of your bonsai. This is because some tree species hibernate during the season and do not need as much nutrients as in warmer months. An indoor bonsai will have difficulty experiencing each season in turn since it's in an unnatural setting.

You need to be on the lookout for pests and other irregularities that might appear on your indoor bonsai tree. Since they're indoors, they will likely attract mites and spiders from the outside. Use a soft, damp cloth or brush to carefully clean the branches and leaves of an indoor bonsai.