There is just something about a miniature version of a big thing that is so adorable… Probably why our bonsai trees are so popular! Bonsai is the ancient Japanese art form of growing plant varieties using wiring and pruning techniques to mimic the shape of full sized trees. The variety of bonsai that we have available in store and will be talking about today is the juniper bonsai. To keep your juniper bonsai looking its cutest, we have some quick plant care tips to share with you! Let’s get into optimal light, watering and pruning to help your bonsai thrive.

Lots of Light

Your juniper bonsai tree will be happiest in a bright, non-direct light. Juniper Bonsais especially like early morning sunlight, making it the perfect plant for an east facing window or balcony. Our pots are generally quite narrow, so these tiny trees can rest comfortably up on your window sill, or your night table, or in that empty spot on your bookshelf display that’s been calling your name. The juniper variety of bonsai is actually an evergreen, so this plant is no stranger to lower temperatures. When the A/C in your space has you reaching for a sweater, you won’t need to worry about your little tree getting too chilly.

Keep Well-Watered

It’s super important to keep your juniper bonsai well hydrated. They love the humidity so misting your bonsai is always a great idea. You don’t want to let these guys fully dry out between watering and when you do water (check for water about once a week), you’ll want to give them a big drink. Here in store, we keep our bonsais’ thirst quenched by submerging the entire pot in a tub of water for a minute or two for a deep drink of water. It’s essential that the excess water is able to drain out. But don’t worry, all of our ceramic bonsai pots come equipped with ample drainage to keep your bonsai happy and healthy.

Prune by Pinching

With every bonsai purchase comes a chance for you to practice the ancient art of bonsai! When it comes to shaping your tree, there’s really no right or wrong, it all comes down to your personal aesthetic preferences. Juniper bonsais will grow as low to the ground as they can, so you may want to trim the low hanging branches first to help keep that mini tree shape. Juniper bonsais are highly durable, taking well to both wiring and pruning. When pruning, we recommend pinching back the new growth at the base the branch with either your fingers or a sharp pair of scissors to promote a fuller shape.