Bonsai trees are a very popular houseplant worldwide. There are many things to consider when choosing a bonsai tree for your home, such as the size and species of the bonsai tree, the shape of the pot, and the location where you will place it. Luckily, in this guide, we will share 5 useful tips to help you out when choosing your new leafy friend.
But before jumping into the details, let’s start by clarifying what a bonsai tree is and how do they differ from other plants.
A bonsai is a traditional Japanese art form that creates small trees out of living specimens, such as pine, juniper, elm, and maple. The Bonsai is achieved by pruning the plant to produce a specific physical appearance. A bonsai tree differs from other plants in that bonsais are typically grown in pots and require regular trimming and watering.
They also experience seasonal changes in temperature fluctuations and light exposure because they can’t photosynthesize like other types of plants. In relation to this last point about bonsais not being able to photosynthesize in the same way as other organic matter, it should be noted that all bonsais do receive energy through their leaves like any plant. It is just that bonsai trees tend to have less energy as they contain fewer chlorophyll and nutrients in their leaves than standard plants.
Now that you know what bonsais are, we can jump into the top 5 tips on choosing the right bonsai tree for your home:
Table of Contents
1-Develop a Purpose Before Buying
Before buying Bonsai, make sure you have a clear purpose in mind. This will help determine the type of bonsai tree that you want to get. For example, if you are looking for bonsai trees to improve the humidity or air quality in your home, then it would be best to look into bonsai species that can help with this specifically.
You might also be looking for a bonsai to help you cultivate peace and tranquility from its natural beauty. In that case, you should look for Bonsai with colorful leaves or Bonsai with bluish or green hues to help relax your mind.
2-Make Sure You Have The Proper Environment For Your Tree
Bonsai trees need the proper environment to survive, so make sure you have bonsais that can thrive in your area. A bonsai tree that needs a humid and hot environment will not do well if placed in an area with low humidity or cold temperatures. The same goes with bonsais needed for harsh dry climates as they won’t last long if exposed to high levels of humidity and light exposure.
You should also find out where your Bonsai is from if you are looking for particular bonsai species. For example, Chinese elm bonsais have to be grown in humid regions with mild temperatures below 80 degrees Fahrenheit, whereas Western elms grow better in hot, dry climates.
Growing a bonsai tree requires proper care and it will thrive when given adequate warmth, light, water, and nutrients. This means you want to make sure your bonsai tree will survive in its new home before making a purchase. Generally, bonsais will do better inside or outside, depending on what type of bonsai tree you get. Some bonsais can live indoors in a well-lit area with controlled temperatures and water, while others require harsh conditions of temperate zones or tropical forests to thrive.
3-Choose the Right Species
Choose bonsai species that are suitable for your needs and are easy to grow. While there is no specific bonsai tree that is right for everyone, you can find bonsais that fit your personal characteristics such as shape, size, color, origin, age bracket, and price range.
If you choose an outdoor bonsai, it must be outside all year long. These can include Maple, Juniperus and Weeping Willow trees which will thrive better outdoors than indoors because most indoor plants prefer a warm, humid climate rather than cool, dry air inside your home or office. Some of the most popular bonsai indoor trees include Ficus, Jade and Chinese Elm.
4-Choose the Right Bonsai Pot
The bonsai pot you choose will depend on the bonsai tree’s size, shape, and purpose. Bonsais are usually grown in bonsai pots rather than standard plants to create an aesthetic appeal about the bonsai plant.
Every bonsai tree has a specific size and variety of shapes, so make sure you know what your bonsai pot should look like before buying one. The bonsai pot should complement your bonsais’ outer appearance and overall health. There are several types of bonsai pots that you can use for your leafy friend such as oval, round, square, rectangular or bucket-shape.
When it comes to materials, make sure to get bonsai pots that will last a long time and keep your bonsais healthy. Common bonsai pot materials include ceramic, wood, plastic or stone depending on the bonsai tree species.
5-Pick your Bonsai from the right place
This is probably one of the most undervalued bonsai tree care tips that anyone can give you. Only buy bonsai trees from a reputable bonsai retailer or bonsai nursery. They are more likely to sell bonsai trees that are healthy and will last longer than Bonsai bought online or at a non-bonsai related store.
Over to you
Choosing the perfect bonsai tree for your home can be a tricky process. Fortunately, we’ve compiled this article with bonsais that are suitable for all different needs and preferences. So whether you’re looking to buy an indoor plant or want one that’s better suited for outdoor conditions, there is a bonsai out there just waiting to beautify your space.
With these tips in hand, it should be easier than ever before to find bonsais that will thrive in their new environment while giving off peace and tranquility vibes from their natural beauty as well.
