How to care for your Bonsai?
Practical step-by-step Bonsai Care guide you can use for most common indoor and outdoor bonsai species. Including the basics (watering, light, soil, pruning, wiring, repotting, fertilising, pests), a simple daily/weekly/monthly checklist, and a short troubleshooting table.
Quick start (1-minute summary)
Water when the topsoil feels slightly dry — stick your finger in 1–2 cm.
Give bright, indirect light (outdoor species: full sun/partial shade depending on species).
Use well-draining bonsai soil mix.
Prune for shape and health; repot every 2–5 years depending on growth.
Feed regularly during the growing season.
Check for pests weekly.
Identify your Bonsai type
Indoor (tropical/subtropical): ficus, jade, schefflera, elm (can be kept inside in mild climates).
Outdoor (temperate): juniper, pine, maple, beech — these need seasonal cold.
Why it matters: watering, light, and winter care change by type. If you don’t know the species, treat conservatively: bright light, regular watering, and avoid extreme temps.
Watering (the single most common issue)
Step-by-step:
Check topsoil with finger or chopstick: if the top 1–2 cm is dry, water.
Water thoroughly until water runs from drainage holes — ensures whole rootball is moistened.
Let drain; don’t let pot sit in standing water.
Frequency: small pots dry faster: usually every 2–3 days in warm weather, less often in cool. Adjust to your environment — humidity and temp matter.
Signs of underwatering: dry, brittle leaves; soil pulling away from pot edge.
Signs of overwatering: yellowing leaves, root rot, mushy soil.
Light & placement
Indoor bonsai: bright, indirect light for most species. South/East window is good. Rotate every week so growth is even. Consider grow lights if light is poor.
Outdoor bonsai: many need full sun (6+ hours) or morning sun with afternoon shade. Protect from extreme heat or frost per species.
Soil & potting
Use a well-draining bonsai mix: commonly akadama + pumice + lava rock (or peat-free commercial mixes).
Good drainage prevents root rot and keeps oxygen near roots.
Repotting schedule (general): young, fast-growing trees every 1–2 years; mature trees every 3–5 years. Conifers often less often. Repot in early spring before budding.
Pruning (maintenance & structural)
Maintenance pruning (keep shape): remove long shoots and deadwood throughout the growing season.
Structural pruning (shape): done during dormancy or early growth phase depending on species — remove large branches to create branch structure.
Always use clean, sharp bonsai shears; make clean cuts and seal large cuts if needed.
Wiring (for shaping)
Use anodized or annealed aluminum/copper wire sized ~1/3 branch diameter.
Wire at a 45° angle, wrapping with even spacing.
Bend gently — don’t force a snap.
Check wire every 4–8 weeks; remove before it cuts into bark.
Best done when branches are semi-flexible (species and season dependent).
Fertilising
Use a balanced, slow-release or liquid bonsai fertiliser during active growing season (spring–early autumn).
Frequency: liquid feed every 2–4 weeks; slow-release once per season per product instructions.
Reduce or stop fertilising during dormancy.
Repotting & root pruning
Step-by-step:
Best time: early spring (before new growth) for most species.
Gently remove tree, clear 1/3 of old soil from roots, trim long roots (especially circling roots).
Replace with fresh bonsai mix, position tree, and secure with wire if needed.
Water thoroughly and keep slightly shaded for a few weeks while recovering.
Seasonal care
Spring: major repotting, structural pruning, resume fertilising.
Summer: watch watering (more frequent), protect from extreme midday heat.
Autumn: taper fertiliser, prepare outdoor bonsai for dormancy (gradual exposure to cooler temps).
Winter: outdoor temperate species need cold dormancy; protect from extreme freeze/thaw in pots. Indoor species need cooler nights and reduced watering.
Pests & diseases
Inspect weekly for aphids, spider mites, scale, mealybugs, fungal infections.
Treatment: remove manually, use insecticidal soap or horticultural oil for small infestations; systemic insecticide for severe cases (follow product directions). Improve air circulation and avoid overwatering to prevent fungus.
Tools checklist
Bonsai shears, concave cutters, wire cutters, branch cutters, bonsai wire (various gauges), root rake, chopstick (for repotting), watering can with fine nozzle, soil sieve, tray.
Simple care schedule (daily/weekly/monthly)
Daily: check soil dryness, remove dead leaves, ensure pot not waterlogged.
Weekly: inspect for pests, rotate tree, water as needed.
Monthly (growing season): fertilise (if liquid) and check wiring; prune maintenance.
Annually: repot/repotting root prune (as per schedule), structural pruning.
30/60/90-day plan for a beginner
0–30 days: identify species, place in correct light, establish watering routine, clean leaves.
30–60 days: start light maintenance pruning, inspect and treat pests, begin feeding schedule.
60–90 days: evaluate growth — if rootbound and growing actively, consider repot next season; practice basic wiring on a small flexible branch.
Troubleshooting quick table
Yellowing leaves + soggy soil → overwatering/root rot → improve drainage, reduce watering, repot if needed.
Brown crispy leaf edges → underwatering or low humidity → increase watering frequency and misting for indoor species.
Leaf drop after move → stress → stable environment, reduced pruning for a few weeks.
New shoots weak and leggy → insufficient light → move to brighter spot or use grow light.
Safety & final tips
Don’t over-style early — focus on health first.
Keep a journal with photos and dates (pruning, wiring, repotting) — bonsai responds slowly; tracking helps.
Learn the seasonal cues of your specific species (flowering, leaf drop, dormancy).