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. You need to give your indoor bonsai some special attention since it’s not able to benefit from direct sunshine and the effects of 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. There are some bonsai trees that require well watered soil, but others are able to survive with almost no moisture.

Your bonsai tree will thrive in high humidity, which can be achieved by regular misting. 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. Just because bonsai plants look frozen in time does not mean that they do not grow. 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.

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. Your indoor bonsai might not fully experience the whole cycle of seasons because it is in an artificial environment.

Indoor bonsai trees also need to be checked for pests and other anomalies that may have appeared. 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.