Growing an indoor bonsai tree can be more challenging and demanding than growing outdoor bonsai trees for several reasons. Aside from picking the right bonsai species, you must also follow a care guide that’s made specifically for bonsai trees indoors.

That being said, here’s a guide that covers everything you need to know about indoor bonsai!

Continue reading to discover:

• What an indoor miniature tree is.
• 5 easy-to-grow indoor bonsai species.
• Care guide for growing a bonsai tree indoors.
• And a lot more…

What Is an Indoor Bonsai Tree?

As the name implies, indoor miniature trees are select hardy tree species that can survive indoors. 

Since the indoor environment differs from the outdoors—normally has insufficient sunlight, lower humidity, and poor air circulation—only a few tree species can be successfully grown indoors.

Generally, only tropical and subtropical plants can grow and thrive indoors due to their natural ability to tolerate stable, higher temperatures.

Choosing the Right Bonsai Tree Indoors

Choosing the suitable bonsai for your indoor space is the first step toward a successful indoor bonsai care journey. This decision largely hinges on understanding the unique needs of indoor bonsai trees, which differ from their outdoor counterparts. 

Here are some key factors to consider when making this choice:

1. Species Compatibility: Begin by researching and selecting bonsai species well-suited for indoor conditions. Some popular options include Jade bonsai, Fukien Tea bonsai, Chinese Elm bonsai, and Ficus bonsai, known for their adaptability to lower light levels.
2. Size Matters: Indoor bonsai come in various sizes, from petite to more substantial specimens. Consider the available space in your home and choose a size that complements your surroundings.
3. Light Requirements: Assess the amount of natural light your indoor space receives. Different bonsai species have varying light requirements, so ensure your chosen tree species matches the available light conditions.
4. Climate Control: Indoor environments tend to be more stable regarding temperature and humidity, making it essential to select bonsai species that can thrive under these controlled conditions.

5 Best Indoor Miniature Tree Species to Grow

Most tree species can only thrive being grown outdoors, so selecting an indoor specimen can be tricky, especially for beginners.

If you can’t decide yet which plant to pick, here are five tropical and subtropical varieties that are suitable for indoor growing:

1. Ficus bonsai tree

Ficus bonsai is the most popular and highly recommended tree species for indoor bonsai growing. It’s resilient, hardy, low maintenance, and forgiving—making it perfect for beginners.

In bonsai cultivation, it’s often styled with an s-curved trunk and stringy branches.

2. Fukien Tea bonsai tree

Want a beautiful bonsai to display in your own home? Then, grow a Fukien tea or Carmona indoor tree. It produces small, red fruits and small, white flowers year-round.

More than that, it’s easy to grow and tolerates pruning very well—making it one of the favorites of many bonsai artists worldwide.

3. Chinese Elm bonsai tree

A good Chinese elm bonsai tree can be a perfect addition to your indoor collection if you love the yellow fall color. Its small leaves turn yellow before they drop in the fall or winter—creating a striking yellow flower carpet around its pot, adding more interest to your home interiors.

Chinese elm bonsai also offers a great sight in the winter when it’s bare due to its fine ramifications.

4. Chinese Sweet Plum bonsai tree

Chinese sweet plum is also one of the indoor trees that produce small flowers and edible fruits.

It’s among the favorites of many bonsai growers due to its fine ramification and dark brown bark, which makes it look ragged and old, even if it’s still young. You can also cultivate it from softwood and hardwood cuttings, making it a convenient specimen to collect.

5. Dwarf Jade bonsai tree

Although technically a succulent, dwarf jade is one of the most popular indoor miniature trees worldwide. That’s because it’s a very low-maintenance and extremely forgiving species.

In bonsai cultivation, it’s loved for its fine branch ramification and water-storing ability through its thick leaves. These features make a great indoor bonsai for beginners or those who have less time to maintain bonsai trees.

Watch this tutorial video to know how to cultivate a dwarf jade cutting for indoor bonsai growing:

A Complete Indoor Miniature Tree Care Guide

Now that you know the most suitable tree species for indoor bonsai, let’s talk about how you can properly grow and train them.

Since the indoor environment is different, you’d have to improve the growing conditions of your indoor miniature trees. Here’s how you can do it:

I. Positioning

The first thing you must consider when growing an indoor miniature tree is its placement. When positioning it, you must evaluate the temperature and light a specific area receives.

Generally, indoors has higher temperatures, which tropical and subtropical plants can tolerate. However, it has a lower light intensity which can weaken the plant over time, resulting in the immature dropping of leaves.

What to do:

The solution is to place your indoor bonsai tree in front of a south-facing window with direct sunlight. If you don’t have access to a good window, you may use artificial lighting several hours a day, depending on the tree species.

Fully opening the window during the day can also help improve air circulation in the area, promoting higher humidity which benefits the plant.

What NOT to do:

Avoid placing your indoor miniature trees on top or near any air conditioning or heating appliance, as extreme cold and warmness can deteriorate the plant’s health. More so, these appliances cause low humidity, which is equally bad for your bonsai.

II. Watering

Like outdoor bonsai plants, you must water your indoor bonsai regularly but not on a routine—specifically, once the soil dries up slightly. Doing this helps ensure your plant is nourished without overwatering, which can cause root rot.

When watering, do it generously. Pour water on top of the soil until the water runs down to the pot drainage holes. You should also use coarse bonsai soil for good drainage.

To avoid mess, water your bonsai plant outside or in the sink. Keep it there until it dries, then return it to its original place.

Note: Moving your bonsai for several minutes won’t harm it.

III. Fertilizing

You can fertilize indoor miniature trees like their outdoor counterparts by using pellet fertilizers. However, since watering indoor plants can be messy, fertilizing them using a well-balanced liquid concentrate may be the best option. 

Mix it on a watering can or spray bottle you’re using before watering. That way, your bonsai can quickly absorb the fertilizer once it reaches its roots, plus you can do your tasks more conveniently and efficiently.

Do it once every two weeks during the growing season to promote stronger and healthier growth.

Here’s a quick specialized guide on selecting a fertilizer for your indoor miniature tree:

• To enhance the overall healthy growth of the tree: Fertilizer with a higher potassium content
• To encourage flower, fruit, and root production: Fertilizer with a higher phosphorus content
• To promote thriving growth for young, developing trees: Fertilizer with a higher nitrogen content

Tip: If you’re unsure which one to select, get a fertilizer with a balanced NPK value, as this works well with many tropical and subtropical plants.

IV. Repotting

Repotting and root care are essential aspects of maintaining the health and vitality of your indoor bonsai. 

Here’s how to approach these tasks with ease:

Repotting Timing

Repot your bonsai every two to three years. This frequency allows the roots to have adequate space for growth without becoming root-bound. Spring is generally the best time for this task when the bonsai is in its active growth phase.

Choosing the Right Soil

Select a well-draining soil mix suitable for growing bonsai indoor trees. This aids in preventing waterlogging and root rot. Be sure to sift out fine particles to ensure good aeration.

Careful Root Pruning

When repotting, trim any overgrown or circling roots, maintaining the balance between the roots and the canopy. This process encourages new, healthy root growth.

Post-Repotting Care

After repotting, protect your bonsai from direct sunlight for a few weeks to allow it to recover without stress. Keep a watchful eye on watering, as newly repotted bonsai may require adjustments to their moisture needs.

V. Winter Care

Keep your bonsai specimens inside your home as usual during the winter months, as the winter cold can affect their health. Give them the regular proper care and maintenance they need to survive.

Between the tropical and subtropical varieties, subtropical plants can tolerate lower temperatures than the standard room temperature much better. That being said, if you live in a region with cold winters, subtropical indoor miniature trees are best suitable for you.

Conclusion

Growing a bonsai tree inside your home is slightly more complex and demanding due to the non-suitable growing conditions indoors.

If you want to cultivate one successfully, select a suitable tree species—best if it’s a tropical or subtropical specimen native to your region. Then, provide the proper care and maintenance specifically designed for indoor bonsai growing.

Doing this helps ensure the healthy and thriving growth of your favorite indoor bonsai trees!