Caring For Your Indoor Bonsai

Bonsai plants are very attractive specimens of an age old practice. 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. It's important to place your tree in a location with good ventilation. The frequency of watering your bonsai is dependent on the type of plant you have and the condition of its soil. Some plants or trees need to have damp soil while others thrive well in spite of a drought.

A bonsai plant will respond well to frequent misting as it soaks up the humidity. You can use a humidity tray, but be certain that your pot is placed on some small rocks or a stand, and not sitting directly in the water.

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. You need to repot your bonsai, whether it's indoors or out, every year to three years, depending on the variety. In addition, the branches must receive proper care so they keep their shape.

Depending on what species your bonsai is, you will need to cut back on the fertilizer when it is winter time. 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.

You need to be on the lookout for pests and other irregularities that might appear on your indoor bonsai tree. Because they are inside, they will be quite attractive to spiders, mites and other outdoor insects. You need to use a soft brush or damp cloth to carefully clean the branches and leaves of an indoor bonsai.