Juniper Bonsai Sold as Indoor: Move Outdoors Immediately

Juniper bonsai from Home Depot drying despite weekly soaking. Kept indoors, moved to bathroom. Juniper is an outdoor species requiring full sun, seasonal dormancy, and daily watering in growing season.

Immediate Steps

1. Move outdoors (full sun to part shade).
2. Water daily (or twice in heat/wind); check soil moisture.
3. No fertilizer for 2–3 weeks.
4. Winter: Protect in cold frame/unheated garage (zone 5+); needs dormancy.

Fertilizer

After recovery, use organic fertilizer (e.g., fish emulsion, liquid kelp) at half strength weekly in spring–fall. Avoid synthetic salts.

Why Sold as Indoor?

Big-box stores mislabel temperate species as "indoor bonsai" for sales. Juniper, pine, maple, elm are outdoor trees.