Bonsai Beginner FAQ: Answers to the 55 Most Common Questions
Starting your first bonsai can feel both inspiring and confusing. Between watering schedules, pruning styles, soil mixes, and whether to keep your tree inside or out, the advice online can be contradictory.
This guide answers 55 of the most common beginner bonsai questions, linking to detailed articles across Tiny Tree Craft so you can explore each topic further.
Watering & Light Basics
1. How often should I water my bonsai?
There’s no fixed schedule. Check daily; when the top 1–2 cm of soil feels slightly dry, water until it drains from the bottom. Soil should feel lightly damp, never soggy.
Learn more in Bonsai Watering for Beginners: Schedules, Signs & Mistakes.
2. When’s the best time to water?
Morning is ideal — it gives roots time to absorb moisture and prevents rot overnight.
3. How do I know if I’m overwatering?
Yellowing leaves, a musty smell, and slow growth mean poor drainage. A coarse mix from Bonsai Soil & Repotting 101: Mixes, Drainage, and Timing helps roots breathe.
4. Can underwatering kill a bonsai?
Yes. Even a single dry day can cause root damage, especially in small pots.
5. Should I mist my bonsai?
Yes, especially indoors. Misting improves humidity but doesn’t replace watering. See Humidity & Airflow for Indoor Bonsai: Practical Setup.
6. How much sunlight does a bonsai need?
Most need 5–6 hours daily. If you grow indoors, position near a bright window or use grow lights as explained in Sunlight & Placement Guide: Windows, Grow Lights, and Shade.
7. Can I keep my bonsai in full sun all day?
Yes for most outdoor species, though maples may need shade in summer heat.
8. Do bonsai trees grow under artificial light?
Yes. Full-spectrum LEDs work well, as outlined in How to Care for a Bonsai Tree Indoors (Beginner’s Guide).
9. How do I increase humidity indoors?
Use humidity trays or group plants together. More ideas in Humidity & Airflow for Indoor Bonsai.
10. Can I water with tap water?
Yes, unless it’s heavily chlorinated — let it sit overnight before use.
Soil, Pots & Repotting
11. What soil should I use?
A well-draining mix of akadama, pumice, and lava rock works best.
Learn the basics in Bonsai Soil & Repotting 101: Mixes, Drainage, and Timing.
12. Can I use regular potting soil?
No. It retains too much water and restricts airflow to roots.
13. How often should I repot?
Every 2–3 years for young trees, every 4–5 for mature ones.
14. When should I repot?
Early spring, before new buds swell.
15. How do I know my bonsai needs repotting?
If roots circle the pot or water drains slowly, it’s time to refresh soil.
See Bonsai Soil & Repotting 101.
16. Should I trim roots when repotting?
Yes — shorten them by about one-third to encourage new feeder roots.
17. Do bonsai pots need drainage holes?
Always. A pot without drainage will suffocate roots. See Bonsai Pots & Sizing Guide: Choosing the Right Pot.
18. What size pot should I choose?
A pot roughly two-thirds the tree’s height usually looks balanced.
19. Can I reuse old soil?
No. Old soil compacts over time and loses nutrients.
20. Should I fertilize after repotting?
Wait about four weeks before feeding again to avoid root burn.
Pruning, Wiring & Growth
21. Why is pruning important?
It shapes the tree and keeps energy balanced between roots and branches.
For full technique breakdowns, see Beginner Bonsai Pruning Guide: Shape, Health, and Growth.
22. What’s the difference between pruning and pinching?
Pruning removes full branches; pinching trims soft shoots to refine growth.
23. When should I prune?
Late spring for most species, though timing varies. Maples and pines are covered in Japanese Maple Bonsai: Color, Pruning & Winter Care and Pine Bonsai (Black/White): Candle Pruning & Wiring Basics.
24. How much should I prune at once?
Never more than one-third of the foliage at a time.
25. What tools do I need?
Concave cutters, trimming shears, and wire cutters are essential. See Bonsai Tools Starter Kit: What You Really Need (and What You Don’t).
26. How do I wire a bonsai?
Wrap wire at a 45° angle and bend branches slowly.
For examples, see Juniper Bonsai Care Guide: Wiring, Watering & Wintering.
27. Can I train a bonsai without wire?
Yes — the clip-and-grow method gradually shapes branches through pruning.
28. My bonsai isn’t growing new leaves. Why?
It may be root-bound, underlit, or overwatered. Bonsai Watering for Beginners explains how to spot water stress.
29. How do I thicken a bonsai trunk?
Let lower branches grow freely for a season or two before reshaping.
30. Should I remove flowers or fruit?
Yes, on young trees. Mature ones like Azalea (Satsuki) Bonsai can bloom safely.
Buying, Pricing & ‘Mall Bonsai’
31. What’s a “mall bonsai”?
Mass-produced trees in decorative pots, often with glued gravel.
Learn what to look for in Avoiding “Mall Bonsai”: How to Pick a Healthy Starter Tree.
32. Are mall bonsai worth buying?
They can be if you repot them and start fresh care routines.
33. How much does a bonsai cost?
Starter trees usually range €20–€100.
Breakdown by size and species in How Much Do Bonsai Trees Cost? Price Tiers & What Affects Value.
34. Why are some bonsai so expensive?
Older trees and refined styles command higher prices, especially in Japan. See examples in Best Bonsai Gardens & Museums in Japan (Tokyo & Kyoto).
35. Should beginners start with cheap trees?
Yes — practice care and pruning on affordable stock.
Check options in Beginner’s Bonsai Buying Checklist: Species, Size, and Starter Gear.
36. Where should I buy a bonsai?
Local nurseries and bonsai clubs are best, but online sources work too. Compare in Where to Buy a Bonsai Tree: Nurseries vs Online vs Big-Box.
37. How can I tell if a bonsai is healthy?
Look for flexible branches, fresh buds, and firm soil.
38. Should I buy imported or local trees?
Local trees handle your climate better; imports are often more refined.
39. Are fake bonsai trees common?
Yes — decorative imitations are sold widely. Always check for real soil and roots.
40. Can I grow a bonsai from seed?
Yes, but it takes years to mature. Most beginners start with pre-trained stock.
Indoor vs Outdoor: What’s Realistic?
41. Can bonsai live indoors permanently?
Only tropical species like Ficus (Ginseng/Retusa) or Jade (Crassula).
See Indoor vs Outdoor Bonsai: Which Is Right for You?.
42. What happens if I keep an outdoor bonsai indoors?
It weakens from lack of seasonal change and light intensity.
43. What are the best indoor species?
See our list in Best Indoor Bonsai Species for Low Light Apartments.
44. How do I protect outdoor bonsai in winter?
Store them in an unheated shed or cold frame. Details in Outdoor Bonsai Winter Care: Cold Protection & Dormancy.
45. Can I move my bonsai between indoors and outdoors?
Yes, but do it gradually to avoid stress from sudden changes.
46. Should I rotate indoor bonsai?
Yes — rotating weekly keeps growth even.
47. What temperature suits indoor bonsai?
18–25 °C with stable humidity works best.
48. Can I keep bonsai on a balcony?
Yes — balconies offer ideal light and airflow if protected from strong wind.
49. How do I know if my bonsai gets enough light?
Slow growth or yellow leaves mean it’s underlit. Adjust placement as in Sunlight & Placement Guide.
50. Can I keep bonsai near a heater or air conditioner?
Avoid it. Sudden temperature shifts dry roots quickly.
Pet Safety & Symbolism
51. Are bonsai trees toxic to pets?
Some are — Jade and Ficus can cause mild reactions.
Read about both in Ficus (Ginseng/Retusa) and Jade (Crassula).
52. How can I keep pets away from my bonsai?
Raise your bonsai on shelves or use barriers like pebbles or citrus-scent sprays.
53. Which species are safe for pets?
Chinese Elm and Juniper are generally non-toxic. See Chinese Elm Bonsai: Care, Pruning & Seasonal Tips and Juniper Bonsai Care Guide.
54. Why are bonsai popular gifts?
They symbolize patience and balance. Read more in Bonsai Gift Guide: Occasions, Symbolism & Care Cards.
55. Do bonsai bring good luck?
Many cultures say yes. The symbolism behind it is explained in Bonsai and ‘Good Luck’: Myths, Feng Shui & Real Benefits.