What is a Bonsai Tree? Symbolism, Care, and Tips for Growing Your Own

Big things, they say, come in small packages. This is most certainly true of a bonsai tree, but perhaps what you should be asking is, ‘what can a bonsai tree do for me?’

In Japanese culture, ‘ikigai’ denotes well-being and fulfillment derived from enjoyable activities. Tending a bonsai tree is certainly a pleasurable pastime. Your joyful trials and tribulations as a bonsai keeper will teach you ‘wabi-sabi’, or how to cherish imperfection, impermanence, and respect for nature’s cycles. On the other hand, as you focus on continual effort and incremental improvements, you’re unknowingly embracing the spirit of ‘kaizen’. 

And, before you know it, you’ll be more Japanese than your bonsai tree! 

Here, we take a look at what makes a bonsai tree so special and the basics of how to care for your tree. If you’re thinking of becoming a ‘bonsai-ka’, read more about which bonsai tree would be the best for you. There is a lot to choose from! 

What is a Bonsai Tree?

From the viewpoint of a botanist, a bonsai tree is a miniaturized tree shaped by carefully selected cultivation techniques, not to be confused with a dwarf species. 

However, the art of bonsai cultivation is not just about trees. Woody shrubs such as Azalea and Bougainvillea are also of long-standing traditional use. Types of ivy and heather are likewise not uncommon.

The inspiration and vision of the bonsai artist, or a ‘bonsai-ka’ in Japanese, is what entices the tree into taking a certain expressive form or shape. 

Understandably, bonsai require attentive care, and a skilled grower can even shape their creation from a sapling. However, it is more common for a beginner to purchase their first bonsai tree. 

What Makes Bonsai Special?

Bonsai is unique in how it allows you to infuse art into a living form. A cynic may see it as a form of brutalism, but in all actuality, the ethos has always been that of harnessing and mastering the expressive beauty of nature.

Bonsai cultivation lends itself to the joy of a hobbyist, the love of aesthetics, and, notwithstanding, philosophical inquiry and natural spiritualism.

The patience, care, and dedication to detail required are one reason why the art finds itself so eloquently poised in Zen Buddhism and popular practices of mindfulness. Bonsai as a craft is often used to evoke principles of harmony and balance, as well as strength and fragility in the expression of individual personality.

At the same time, bonsai tree cultivation is deeply historic, yet continues to find new meaning and expression in cultures around the world. 

How to Take Care of a Bonsai Tree

Some bonsai trees are more demanding than others, but here are some well-established practices on how to take care of your beloved tree: 

Location

 
Make sure the location suits the specific needs of the tree. Most bonsai require 5 to 6 hours of direct exposure to sunlight on a good day. Some trees are sensitive to low temperatures, wind, and humidity levels. Pay particular attention to changes exhibited by indoor trees, since most bonsai thrive better outside.

Watering

Watering is a major factor in bonsai care. Too much water can easily lead to root rot and other diseases. A general rule of thumb is to water your bonsai tree when the top layer of soil is dry. How often depends on the season, daily changes in weather conditions, and where the pot is generally placed.

Being gentle and mindful with your bonsai fosters a deeper relationship with nature. We recommend a long-spouted watering can that allows for more pour control. A copper vessel can prevent antimicrobial growth and energize water before watering.

Soil and Potting

It is important that the soil and potting of a bonsai tree allow water to drain rapidly. If you are not a gardening expert, you may need to buy a special bonsai soil mix. Most bonsai trees only require repotting and root trimming every two to three years, but for some trees, it may be yearly.

Pruning and Shaping

Pruning and shaping are where your spirit as a bonsai artist leaves its indelible mark. 

A good pair of pruning shears is essential, but make sure you get the best sheers for the job. Regular pruning shears are not always up to delicate tasks, which is why you will also need specialized bonsai pruning scissors. 

Familiarize yourself with some basic pruning techniques, of when to prune, how much, and in what way. A little knowledge goes a long way, but your tree will teach you a lot more than anyone else.

Fertilizing

With regular watering, fast draining, and a limited environment for the plant’s roots, periodic fertilizing is another important aspect of bonsai care. Your regular bonsai specialist store will have something for you. Learn when to fertilize and how often—your bonsai will flourish when you pay attention to all its needs.

Popular Types of Bonsai Trees

The best type of bonsai tree for you depends on your local climate and where you can place the tree. Typically, most bonsai trees require an outdoor environment, which can include a rooftop terrace or a balcony. There are popular types of bonsai that you can cultivate indoors, as long as they get plenty of sunlight and good ventilation. 

Here are some popular bonsai trees that are relatively easy to cultivate.

1. Pine Bonsai Tree

The Pine bonsai is a rugged outdoor tree loved for its timeless beauty. They are resilient, hardy, and relatively easy to train. Pines like strong sunlight, require careful watering, but need repotting less frequently. Popular types are the Black, Mountain, and White Japanese pine trees.

2. Juniper Bonsai Tree

Jupiter is another favorite for the novice and expert alike. Although not so suited for indoors, they can tolerate a wide variety of conditions. Junipers can easily be trained to conform to either upright or windswept forms, and their small foliage is particularly well-suited to bonsai aesthetics. 

3. Japanese Maple Bonsai

The Japanese Maple is a must-have for the beauty of its seasonal changes. Their fine and delicate branching is perfect for realistic representation, plus leaf designs differ between species. They prefer more protected or shady locations and require frequent watering and regular pruning. Maples aren’t suited to long periods indoors if the air is dry or conditioned.  

4. Chinese Elm Bonsai

The Chinese Elm is quite suited for outdoors and indoors, so it gets additional love. They are very hardy and can tolerate heavier pruning and shaping, but generally adhere to a rounded aesthetic. The multicolored bark and fine branching of the Chinese Elm are also much appreciated. 

5. Weeping Fig or Ficus 

The Weeping Fig has an offset aesthetic of white bark, twisted roots, and bright, glossy green leaves. It has an almost tropical appearance and is one of the best selections for an indoor bonsai tree if kept away from drafts or fluctuating temperatures. They require less pruning and longer periods between repotting.

6. Pomegranate Bonsai Tree

The pomegranate is a wonderful choice for its adaptability as either an indoor, outdoor, or ‘in between’ bonsai tree. Its thick and gnarly bark creates a varied aesthetic, as does its deciduous leaf shedding. Fruiting, however, cannot always be guaranteed. The pomegranate is also rich in symbolic and mythological meaning across cultures.

7. Rhododendron Bonsai

The Rhododendron is one of the most prized of bonsai, especially for its stunning flower displays. They are generally only suited for the outdoors because of their need for intense and direct sunlight. They are, however, very amenable to pruning and shaping, which is a bonus for perfecting your skills.

Wabi Sabi and the Art of Bonsai

Wabi-sabi is a Japanese aesthetic expression of transient imperfection. It incorporates aspects such as simplicity, austerity, authenticity, and naturalness.

Although rooted in early practices of Zen Buddhism, it became more prominent in the development of tea ceremonies in the 15th and 16th centuries in Japan.

Bonsai, in many ways, preempted the formalization of the wabi-sabi ethos.

For one, bonsai embraces impermanence and the natural cycles of growth and decay while eschewing ornamentation for minimal earthen-looking pots. Additionally, rough and irregular bark formations, gnarled and twisted roots, or branches bent by wind and light are expressive of non-idealized natural beauty.

Let Nature Be Still

Caring for a bonsai tree can bring you closer to nature and discipline to the process of continual self-improvement. When flaws and failings remind us of how nature exemplifies beauty, we become more forgiving of ourselves and others. This, in turn, can create peace of mind and stillness within.

Let us know in the comments how you feel about Japanese bonsai, and drop a few tips if you’re a bonsai fan.