It’s easy for you to fall in love with a bonsai for the first time. These tiny trees are stunning. Gardeners and those with bad thumbs admire the magical nature of a small tree. Their compactness is whimsical, and they have a different appeal to larger houseplants.

Growing Bonsai may be a niche that is difficult to master, but the art of Bonsai has never been easier to learn. Here are some tips on how to grow an indoor bonsai, including advice from Brooklyn Botanic Gardens’ head curator. Here’s the best advice on how to develop a bonsai indoors and keep it alive.

What is a Bonsai Tree

The term “bonsai”, which means “grown in a container or tray”, refers to trees that are forced to be miniature. In Japan, Bonsai are depicted in ancient art. Bonsai is popular all over the world.

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Bonsai is a Japanese art originally practiced outdoors on hardy plants. This is why they are known to die indoors. David Castro, curator of Brooklyn Botanic Gardens’ bonsai collection, says that tropical Bonsai such as ficus and Schefflera are best for beginners. If you know how to take care of houseplants, you will have a better chance of keeping tropical Bonsai healthy and happy.

Don’t bring evergreen Bonsai indoors.

Other bonsai trees, such as evergreens, like juniper and pine, will not grow well in an indoor environment. “Common garden bonsai, which are potted and usually styled in a curved form, are not, repeat, they are not indoor trees!” Castro.

Visit a bonsai expert.

It’s best to find a bonsai nursery (there are over 100 in the U.S.) that specializes in this type of tree. Castro points out that bonsai nursery specialists tend to attract most of their customers through their websites or by making appointments.

Castro warns consumers to stay away from “mall-sai,” or Bonsai, found in malls and large box stores. Although they look cheap and attractive, the trees are usually potted in very poor soil mixed with decorative pebbles on top.

Care Tips

Place your plant in indirect sun.

Place your Bonsai where there is plenty of indirect, bright sunlight. Be aware that many places near windows can cause problems. Direct sunlight is harsh, and Bonsai need to be protected from drafts and direct heat coming from radiators.

Don’t overwater it, but keep it moist.

You can measure your Bonsai’s water requirements by sticking your finger into the soil. Water thoroughly if it feels dry. Water your tree as soon as you notice the soil becoming less moist. This could be daily during the growing seasons or every other day, even less often in the winter when the trees are dormant. Castro also recommends misting your tree daily.

Overwatering is a common bonsai killer! You may notice that the leaves are turning yellow or black at the tip. This could be a sign of roots drowning. Allow the plant to dry completely, then rewater it and let the plant partially dry before watering again. You may need to repot the plant if the problem persists.

Fertilize when growth slows down.

Bonsai trees are tiny but still trees. They get their nutrients mainly from the air and sun. Because Bonsai are kept in small pots with low-nutrient dirt, they eventually will need fertilizer. Author Jonas Dupuich suggests that you look for fertilizers that contain nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (N, P, K) in amounts of up to 5 or 6 per cent of each.

How To Report An Indoor Bonsai

Bonsai require repotting from one to three times a year, depending on the type of plant. You don’t have to do it immediately. If your Bonsai came in a pot that didn’t have drainage holes, it is important to repot the plant as soon as you can.

Buy or mix soil that drains well for your new container. Eric Schrader is a bonsai specialist in San Francisco. He recommends a popular mix consisting of a third each of scoria, pumice (lava rock), akadama, and a claylike particle from Japan. He says the size should be proportional to the size of the container. Water should be pumped straight into the soil when you water a tree.

How to shape an indoor bonsai

Some books say that you will need a total of twenty tools to maintain a bonsai. But for a beginner, all you’ll need is a pair ARS Steel Blade Cultivation scissors and a pair of tweezers. Dupuich writes that you can gradually acquire bonsai-specific tools to make it easier for you to work.

Attend a bonsai workshop.

Experts recommend taking a class before you embark on your first major pruning project or repotting. You can take a class online or in person. More than 200 bonsai club workshops are held in the United States. There are many options available online.

Be patient.

Castro says that the biggest lesson learned from Bonsai is patience. Let it grow. Don’t rush into things that took seasoned hobbyists many years to master. He continues: “The benefits of maintaining a bonsai can be invaluable for your wellbeing and soul in these stressful times.” You can fill your home with low-maintenance plants if you find that the hobby you chose isn’t as rewarding as expected. There are many options for fake plants that look amazingly real.