Bonsai for Beginners: Choosing a Tree and Caring for It

Bonsai is not a plant species but the art of growing a miniature tree in a shallow container so that it looks like a mature tree in nature. It sounds difficult, but anyone can start: the key is choosing the right first tree and learning a few basic rules.

A green gift: potted plants.

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Where bonsai comes from

Growing miniature trees in containers began in China (penjing) and developed into an art of its own in Japan. The word bonsai means “tray planting”. The oldest bonsai live for centuries and are passed down through generations.

Which tree to choose as a beginner

The golden rule: bonsai trees are either indoor or outdoor. Juniper, pine and maple are outdoor plants that need a cold winter rest; indoors they slowly decline. For the home, choose tropical and subtropical species.

• Ficus (for example Ficus microcarpa) is the most forgiving indoor bonsai.
• Portulacaria is a succulent with fleshy leaves that tolerates occasional missed watering.
• Carmona (Fukien tea) is beautiful but fussier: it dislikes drying out and temperature swings.
• Chinese elm can grow indoors or outdoors and responds well to pruning.

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The main styles

• Formal upright (chokkan): a straight trunk tapering to the top.
• Informal upright (moyogi): a trunk with gentle curves.
• Slanting (shakan): the tree leans as if blown by the wind.
• Cascade (kengai): the tip hangs below the rim of the pot, like a tree on a cliff.
• Forest (yose-ue): several trees in one pot.

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Bonsai care

• Watering. Soil in a small pot dries fast. Water when the surface is slightly dry until water runs from the drainage holes, or dip the pot in water for a few minutes. Never let it dry out completely.
• Light. Indoor bonsai need the brightest spot in the home; a grow light may help in winter.
• Feeding. From spring to autumn, a weak liquid fertiliser every 2–4 weeks.
• Pruning and pinching. Trim new shoots back to 1–2 pairs of leaves regularly to keep the canopy dense and compact.
• Wiring. Shape branches with copper or aluminium wire and remove it before it cuts into the bark.
• Repotting. Repot young trees every 2–3 years in spring, trimming the roots and refreshing the soil.

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Common beginner mistakes

• Keeping an outdoor tree (juniper, pine) indoors.
• Watering on a schedule without checking the soil.
• Placing the bonsai far from a window.
• Pruning a weak tree too often or too hard.

Many care rules are shared by all houseplants; see “Houseplant care mistakes”. Enjoy Japanese techniques? Try kokedama, a moss ball instead of a pot.

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FAQ

Can I grow a bonsai from seed?

Yes, but it takes many years. Beginners find it easier to start with a ready-made tree or a young nursery plant.

How long does a bonsai live?

With proper care, as long as a normal tree of the same species: decades or more.

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Author: Maria Svitlovir

Graduated from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Institute of Biology and Medicine (2001). BSc in Biology, MSc in Horticulture. Writes about plants, works at a garden centre selecting and repotting plants, and contributes to plant reference guides.