If you’re interested in adding a little verdure to your home, there are plenty of bonsai trees that are perfect for indoors. Some are able to thrive in conditions that don’t usually provide enough sunlight or low humidity for other plants.
Some of the best-known varieties are ficus, which do well both indoors and out, and Chinese elms. Some also have flowers that bloom year-round.
Flame of the Forest
A favorite of bonsai collectors, Flame of the Forest is a plant that can provide some added color to your interior space. It also comes with a few other benefits that make it an excellent addition to your collection.
This tropical tree, sometimes known as the Royal Poinciana or Flame Tree, is a member of the legume family and grows from spring through summer. It produces large, fiery red or golden flowers and flat seed pods that can be 30 – 60 cm long.
It can be grown outside in a protected sunny area during the growing season. In winter it should be kept indoors or in a conservatory at temperatures between 50deg F / 10deg C and 68deg F / 20deg C.
The Flame Tree is an easy-to-care for plant and requires little maintenance once it’s planted. Just water it regularly in spring and summer to keep the soil moist. It can handle a small drought period, but never let it go dry for too long.
Since this tree prefers a bright spot, it’s a good choice for a south-facing window. It’s also a good idea to repot it in early spring, just as new leaves appear.
The Flame Tree is a hardy plant that can be trained as a cascade or umbrella bonsai. It’s a very fast-growing tree and can reach a height of 10 meters.
Satsuki Azalea
Satsuki azalea is an evergreen type of Azalea that has been cultivated and hybridized in Japan for hundreds of years. This group of cultivars varies greatly in their flower forms and color patterns. In general, they bloom in May and June.
Satsuki Azaleas are a popular choice for bonsai enthusiasts, as they are easy to care for and have a stunning flower display. However, it is important to remember that Satsuki Azaleas do not do well when exposed to cold temperatures or windy conditions.
They require moderate watering and their soil should remain moist most of the time. Water your bonsai regularly and give it only filtered water or rainwater to avoid lime deposits in the soil.
When it comes to fertilization, Satsuki Azaleas prefer an acidic, non-lime fertilizer that is fed every other week in the spring and once a month in the fall. If you notice that your Satsuki Azalea is losing leaves, this could indicate a deficiency in nitrogen or another issue.
Since Satsuki Azaleas are extremely sensitive to cuts, it is best to use a soft wire to prune them. This will not cause damage to the bark or branches and will also promote better healing of the wounds.
Satsuki Azaleas are fairly slow-growing and can reach up to 5 feet tall in 10 or 15 years. They do not have large roots so they must be repotted every couple of years. They also need full sun to encourage strong flower buds and retain their shape.
Chinese Elm
Chinese Elms are a great choice for indoor bonsai because they can survive in almost any environment. They are especially well adapted to sunlight, but can also handle partial shade. In addition, they can tolerate cold temperatures, so if you live in a climate where it is cold in winter, you can bring them inside for the season.
You can easily propagate a Chinese Elm by taking 6 inch cuttings from a healthy tree. These can be placed in a glass of water and will soon develop roots. They are best repotted in a good quality bonsai soil or a mixture of loam, peat moss, and sand.
To keep your bonsai happy, you must place it in a suitable location that allows it to receive plenty of light. This can be an indoor room with a south-facing window or an outdoor space that is sheltered from the sun.
A Chinese Elm can thrive with direct sunlight, but it should be exposed to it slowly at first. This will help to prevent burns on the tiny leaves.
During summer, the best location for your Chinese Elm is near a window that gets lots of natural sunlight. However, be sure to place it in a location that gets plenty of water to keep the soil moist.
Like most house plants, Chinese Elms can be susceptible to pest infestations. These include flies, red spider mites, and white mealy bugs. If these pests appear, spray the plant with an insecticide that is safe for bonsai trees.
Baobab
Baobabs are drought-resistant and hardy, making them a great choice for indoors. They are also easy to propagate and can be grown from stem cuttings taken from young branches.
The unique looks of these plants make them a popular choice for people who want to create an eye-catching and exciting centerpiece in their garden or patio. They’re also very versatile and can grow in many different environments, from the sun to the shade.
These plants are also known for their dynamic hues, which vary with the season. This means that your plant will always be interesting and attractive to look at.
They’re also a good option for people who don’t have much space in their home, as they can easily fit into a small corner. The only downside is that they need a lot of sunlight, so you’ll have to place them in an area where they can get a lot of natural light.
Another important consideration is the soil that you choose for your bonsai. Baobab trees are best grown in a well-draining and sandy soil. You can mix your own soil at home, or you can purchase a special blend for bonsai.
Baobabs are known for storing water in their trunks and branches, which is helpful in drought situations. This is why they don’t need to be watered as often as other plants, but they are also very prone to root rot, so be careful to avoid overwatering them.
Adenium
Adenium, also known as desert rose, is a bulbous-stemmed plant that quickly grows to about eight inches tall in a pot. It produces pretty flowers and is easy to care for.
A desert rose bonsai requires special bonsai soil, which is made of sand and clay particles mixed with organic matter. This type of soil is well-draining and provides the plant with all the nutrients it needs to thrive.
To propagate a desert rose, you can either cut off a healthy branch from a mature plant or take cuttings from it. A cutting should be at least 10 to 12 cm long and dipped in water and rooting hormone powder before being planted in a container. It will grow new roots within two to six weeks.
This plant is a good choice for an indoor bonsai because it can tolerate a lot of neglect and doesn’t require much temperature control. It is also an easy-to-grow plant that can produce more than one flower each year.
The Adenium family is home to several different species that have unique appearances and growth habits. Some of these include Adenium boehmianum, which grows spiral-shaped leaves and pink or yellow flowers that are used by African hunters to make poison arrowheads; Adenium oleifolium, which has narrow olive green blade-like leaves and salmon, pink, or pale pink tubular flowers; and Adenium obesum subsp. socotranum, which has a large tuberous trunk and an eight-foot diameter bloom in spring.
Cedar
Cedar is a woody tree that has long been a favorite of bonsai growers. It is a great choice for those who want to bring the outdoors inside their home because it can withstand all four seasons and thrive in a variety of climates.
Cedars can be found growing in forests and mountain ranges across the world. They are evergreen trees, reaching a height of 95 to 130 feet. They have a broad trunk that can be anywhere from eight to 10 feet wide.
They also produce needle-like branches that grow in an open spiral form. This tree is a good choice for indoors because it can be easily maintained.
As with any other bonsai, it is important to prune your cedar tree regularly. This is a time-honored method that helps to maintain its symmetrical shape and encourages growth.
For this purpose, you will need sharp sterilized scissors. You should also use a fertilizer that is formulated specifically for cedars, diluted to half-strength before applying it.
Pinching new branch starts as they appear will reduce the stress on your cedar and help it to mature more quickly. However, it is best to avoid pruning your cedar too much if you are not an experienced bonsai grower.
To wire your cedar, use a wire that is twice as long as the tree’s height. Stick one end of the wire into the soil near the base of the tree. Then, twist it into a spiral shape to create a slight angle that pulls the tree’s top sideways alongside most of its branches. Leave the wire in place for at least the first year of growth.