Growing bonsai is a passion for many, and there are few who like to collect these plants from all over the world as a hobby. Most types of bonsai can be easily grown from the seed, and Crape Myrtle and Chinese Elm are good choices for novices. The biggest different between indoor bonsai plants and traditional bonsai is that you can enjoy the beautiful, fully leaved plant in the winter instead of leafless, dormant tree.

Growing Indoor Bonsai Plant

Indoor bonsai plants are cultivated for the indoor environment. As compared to the other house plants, indoor bonsai plants are rooted in the smaller pots, with less amount of soil. This form is well-suited for the drought-resistant species, and as compared to other house plants, indoor bonsai plants require a lot more pruning, both of roots and branches.

Only few specific plants of bonsai are suitable to be grown indoors, and some species are more suitable than other. Member of genus Ficus family are most versatile, and many other succulents can also be grown similarly. Some of the most commonly used indoor bonsai plants are Ficus Benjamina, Ficus nerifilia, Crassula ovate, Schefflera Arboricola, Rhipsalis salicornioides, Schlumbergera, Dracaena marginata and Portulacaria afta. With proper care, Boxwood, Carmona microphylla and Serissa non-tropical plants can also be grown as indoor bonsai plants. Shimpaku, Cherry Blossom, Chinzan Azalea, Barbados Cherry and white Pine are most common Japanese bonsai plants.

Weeping fig is a common indoor bonsai plant, and is one of the rare tropical plant that is considered true bonsai. Most useful fig for bonsai is willow leafed fig, and the tree has good basal rootage, good branch ramification and excellent aerial root formation.

To take care of your indoor bonsai plant, understand and fulfill its water needs. Low humidity and thirst are the most common causes of bonsai death. Understand the soil conditions, and judge when the plant needs water. To ensure healthy humidity, place your bonsai plant on the rocks in the dish full of water.

To take care of your indoor bonsai plant, fertilize the plant once or twice monthly during growth phase and use the water-soluble product. Make sure that the indoor bonsai plant gets enough sun, and it must get 3-4 hours of sunlight everyday. If providing sunlight is a constraint, use the full spectrum florescent bulb from the distance of 18 inches.

Timely pruning is an important aspect of taking care of your indoor bonsai plant. To encourage branch growth, pinch leaves, and get rid of the branches that clutter the design. For indoor bonsai plants, repotting must be done every 2-3 years, and while doing so, trim the root ball to maintain the right balance between the tree and the roots before putting in the fresh soil.