Bonsai Basics: Essential Care for Miniature Trees

Basic Bonsai Care

Bonsai are woody plants from Mediterranean, subtropical, and tropical regions trained as indoor pot plants. Basic needs (temperature, light, humidity, rest periods) are similar to their full-size counterparts, but they need extra attention due to limited soil volume.

Essentials

• Soil: Special bonsai potting mix.
• Watering: Fine-nozzle watering can. Keep soil slightly mounded; don't blow off dry soil when watering.
• Fertilizer: Bonsai-specific fertilizer. Nutrients deplete quickly in small pots—fertilize more often with weak doses. Never fertilize dry soil.

Further Learning

For pruning methods and styling, see our article on bonsai basics.