Growing Bonsai Trees Indoors
Are you growing bonsai trees indoors?
Below are some growing tips and plants you may not have considered.
As a friend once told me "God never created house plants". To keep any plant healthy indoors, the more you duplicate its natural environment, the happier it will be. Keep in mind, not all plants will thrive indoors.
For indoor bonsai, the best plants are tropical and subtropical species. Two species which are especially good bonsai for indoors are the dwarf Hawaiian umbrella tree (Schefflera arboricola) and many small leaf Ficus varieties. The Schefflera was made famous as bonsai by
David Fukumoto at Fuku Bonsai in Hawaii.
The bonsai tree shown above is one of David's first. He calls the Hawaiian umbrella tree the "True Indoor Bonsai". And it is definitely one of the easiest!
Ficus varieties
such as green island, willow leaf fig (Ficus nerifolia) and the Chinese banyan are among the best figs for growing bonsai trees indoors. Another plant, often ignored for indoors is the
Dwarf Powder Puff.
The amazing part of growing this bonsai indoors is how it continues to flower! As beautiful as all of these treasures can be, there is no magic that allows any of them to grow in the dark.
Indoor Bonsai Care Requirements
Indoor bonsai hobbyists often create total mini-environments in their homes. Some, in very cold climates, keep their tropical and sub-tropical species inside all year. Others move their bonsai outdoors in spring and back in again come fall. By following some basic care instructions for growing bonsai trees indoors, many of these plants not only survive, but thrive in their artificial environments! The basics for growing bonsai trees indoors are not much different than those of house plants. Can't grow houseplants? Check out
Houseplant Care Tips
for some expert advice. Remember, the larger the plant the more light it needs; overwatering can be a problem and keep an ever vigilant eye for pests.
Light - For some growers, a window with a bright exposure is sufficient. Artificial light such as grow lights and fluorescent tubes are frequently used.No mention of growing bonsai under fluorescent lights is complete without mentioning Jack Wikle!
Jack Wikle
Tecumseh, Michigan
Jack is growing bonsai trees indoor under 4 ft long 40 watt, two tube, cool white fluorescent fixtures, 16 hrs a day. No, not special ‘grow lights’. An economical timer turns the lights on and off automatically. Jack is also the only person I know growing bonsai trees, who has managed to keep two junipers as indoor plants under lights for twenty years! Yes, I’ve seen them! (However, junipers are not recommended for novice or faint of heart.) Check out Jack's article to see the details of his amazing light and stand set-ups for
Growing Bonsai Trees Under Lights.
Metal Halide Lamps
"a member of the high-intensity discharge (HID) family of lamps, produce high light output for their size, making them a compact, powerful, and efficient light source ... Originally created in the late 1960s for industrial use, metal halide lamps are now available in numerous sizes and configurations for commercial and residential applications ... metal halide lamps operate under high pressure and temperature, and require special fixtures to operate safely".
Source: Wikepedia
In addition to fluorescents, large bonsai especially, may require more powerful (and more expensive)metal halide lamps. Not only do they have great intense light, they exude a certain amount of heat. Bonsai hobbyists growing bonsai trees under metal halide swear by them! Humidity - Most homes do not have enough humidity in winter to support tropical plants. Air blown heat (especially) depletes the necessary humidity. Growing bonsai trees indoors may require frequent misting (twice a day or more); however, humidifiers are much easier. They are often used by many indoor plant people. If you think a humidity tray will help, please see the section on the Bonsai Myths page to read about the
Humidity Tray Myth.
(at the bottom of the page). Watering - Instructions such as water "every day" or "once a week" are not reliable. Be sure you have explicit instructions.Find out if your plant likes to be "evenly moist", "wet" or "a little dry between waterings". Do not use icy cold tap water; warm or room temperature is best. Temperature - Even the large old banyan trees of South Florida drop leaves when the temperatures fall below 50oF. They know it's cold! Tropical bonsai like to be warm. Be cautious about cold windowsills and drafts. Air Circulation - Although cold drafts and direct hits from air conditioning can be harmful, air movement is necessary to keep down the plant pest population. In most cases, an oscillating fan works!
Is a Small Greenhouse Your Answer?
If you've gone way beyond your allotted window space, a small greenhouse may be the answer for your tropical bonsai trees in winter. Be sure to see both of these impressive pages:
A 'Not So Small Greenhouse' Idea!
is a definite winner. (Not for everyone!) However, if you have the right circumstances, it's perfect! I think you will enjoy the story. The other page is about more than one
Amazing "Greenhouse".
All of which are either attached or in homes.
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