Little by Little: Why Growing a Bonsai Could Change Your Life
Tap into the gentle and intriguing world of bonsai and let it teach you the joy of patience
Janet Dunn
16 April 2017
Houzz Australia Contributor. Former NZ House&Garden writer and stylist, and avid interior design enthusiast. Ex-restaurateur and caterer, with a Professional Certificate in Gastronomy, University of Adelaide.
Houzz Australia Contributor. Former NZ House&Garden writer and stylist, and avid... More
A bonsai is more than a tiny tree in a pot. The Japanese adapted the skill of bonsai, which means “tree in a tray,” centuries ago from Chinese penjing, scaled-down potted landscapes often with figurines. Bonsai focuses on growing a single tree and is more formal and minimalist. The leisurely craft mingles horticulture, art and sculpture with the ability to slow down and work with nature. See why you should bring a little bonsai serenity into your life and how to get started.
Why Bonsai?
It teaches us to slow down
Consciously connecting with nature is an antidote to the speed and artificiality of many modern lifestyles. In gardens and homes, the presence of plants, with their calm and unhurried pace, is therapy for stress, and guides us to a slower and more meditative state.
These beautiful lines from American writer and nature poet Hal Borland say it all: “If you would know strength and patience, welcome the company of trees.” Nothing we do will speed the growth of a tree, but with bonsai, its strength and perseverance can be closely observed as we gently care for it.
It teaches us to slow down
Consciously connecting with nature is an antidote to the speed and artificiality of many modern lifestyles. In gardens and homes, the presence of plants, with their calm and unhurried pace, is therapy for stress, and guides us to a slower and more meditative state.
These beautiful lines from American writer and nature poet Hal Borland say it all: “If you would know strength and patience, welcome the company of trees.” Nothing we do will speed the growth of a tree, but with bonsai, its strength and perseverance can be closely observed as we gently care for it.
It brings spiritual energy to a space
Bonsai and feng shui have much in common. Bonsai are trained to grow in forms representing natural balance. The principles of feng shui also foster harmony through balancing the yin and yang forces in an environment. A bonsai brings the elements of wood and earth, two of feng shui’s five elements of life, into a home, increasing the flow of positive energy.
Bonsai and feng shui have much in common. Bonsai are trained to grow in forms representing natural balance. The principles of feng shui also foster harmony through balancing the yin and yang forces in an environment. A bonsai brings the elements of wood and earth, two of feng shui’s five elements of life, into a home, increasing the flow of positive energy.
It’s an ever-changing art form
A bonsai is sometimes called “art without end,” evolving constantly in response to its environment and the grower’s thoughtful intervention. A bonsai is a miniature mirror of the seasons, as its foliage changes colour and falls in autumn and emerges again in spring and summer.
A bonsai is sometimes called “art without end,” evolving constantly in response to its environment and the grower’s thoughtful intervention. A bonsai is a miniature mirror of the seasons, as its foliage changes colour and falls in autumn and emerges again in spring and summer.
It’s a great hobby for urban gardeners
A bonsai is the tree you can have if you live in a concrete jungle. It takes very little soil, water and space, and can grow on a balcony, inside or a mixture of both. High-density urban living often leads to feelings of alienation and isolation — connecting with other bonsai hobbyists creates a social circle of friends for sharing experiences and tips.
A bonsai is the tree you can have if you live in a concrete jungle. It takes very little soil, water and space, and can grow on a balcony, inside or a mixture of both. High-density urban living often leads to feelings of alienation and isolation — connecting with other bonsai hobbyists creates a social circle of friends for sharing experiences and tips.
It creates a unique natural sculpture
Bonsai is a collaboration between grower and plant. Each contributes its individuality and essence to create a special entity. Bonsai speaks to our inner gardener and artist, and there will never be another tree like the one you observe, nurture and nudge into a living work of art.
Bonsai is a collaboration between grower and plant. Each contributes its individuality and essence to create a special entity. Bonsai speaks to our inner gardener and artist, and there will never be another tree like the one you observe, nurture and nudge into a living work of art.
It’s a hobby for a lifetime and beyond
Bonsai history is peppered with astonishing claims about the age of trees. An 800-year-old specimen owned by bonsai master Kunio Kobayashi stands in his bonsai museum in Shunkaen, Japan. A rare white pine nurtured for six generations of the Yamaki family is said to have survived the 1945 atomic bomb and is now in a museum in Washington, D.C.
A bonsai cherished over a lifetime may become a family heirloom, a living reminder of the people who have cared for it. Traditionally, when you give a bonsai, you make a gesture of love and respect as well as a wish for long life and happiness for the recipient.
Bonsai history is peppered with astonishing claims about the age of trees. An 800-year-old specimen owned by bonsai master Kunio Kobayashi stands in his bonsai museum in Shunkaen, Japan. A rare white pine nurtured for six generations of the Yamaki family is said to have survived the 1945 atomic bomb and is now in a museum in Washington, D.C.
A bonsai cherished over a lifetime may become a family heirloom, a living reminder of the people who have cared for it. Traditionally, when you give a bonsai, you make a gesture of love and respect as well as a wish for long life and happiness for the recipient.
It’s an emotional commitment
Grow a bonsai and you have a companion for life. Many bonsai hobbyists say that they feel as if they are embarking on a journey with their tree, and that they develop a deep sense of attachment and responsibility toward it, not unlike they felt toward a pet.
Grow a bonsai and you have a companion for life. Many bonsai hobbyists say that they feel as if they are embarking on a journey with their tree, and that they develop a deep sense of attachment and responsibility toward it, not unlike they felt toward a pet.
Bonsai FAQs
Can a beginner do it?
Bonsai is studied and practiced all over the world by both experts and novices. Japan has several bonsai masters who have trained and refined the art all their lives, and the trees they have created are honoured and displayed in gardens and museums. You can start your own with very little outlay and some basic knowledge, and enjoy a leisurely learning experience as you go.
Can a beginner do it?
Bonsai is studied and practiced all over the world by both experts and novices. Japan has several bonsai masters who have trained and refined the art all their lives, and the trees they have created are honoured and displayed in gardens and museums. You can start your own with very little outlay and some basic knowledge, and enjoy a leisurely learning experience as you go.
How do I get started?
Bonsai can be grown from seed, cuttings or container plants. Many nurseries sell “pre-bonsai” specimens, a good option for novices. Begin your research by reading up on bonsai principles and looking at photographs of renowned bonsai examples. Visit or contact a specialist bonsai nursery, search internet sites for online courses and tutorials, and take advantage of the dozens of bonsai hobby clubs in the United States, many of which are members of the American Bonsai Society.
The beauty of bonsai is that you don’t have to know it all to get started. While your tree acclimates, pause to study it, learn about its care, get to know it and decide how you will approach the task.
Bonsai can be grown from seed, cuttings or container plants. Many nurseries sell “pre-bonsai” specimens, a good option for novices. Begin your research by reading up on bonsai principles and looking at photographs of renowned bonsai examples. Visit or contact a specialist bonsai nursery, search internet sites for online courses and tutorials, and take advantage of the dozens of bonsai hobby clubs in the United States, many of which are members of the American Bonsai Society.
The beauty of bonsai is that you don’t have to know it all to get started. While your tree acclimates, pause to study it, learn about its care, get to know it and decide how you will approach the task.
What varieties are suitable? Bonsai suits a vast number of trees and shrubs. They include quince, persimmon, pomegranate, juniper, jade plant (Crassula ovata), fig, Chinese elm (Ulmus parvifolia), olive, Japanese maple (Acer palmatum), jacaranda, box, pine, crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia), plum and cherry, to name just a few. Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster horizontalis) is excellent for novices. Your climate and the environment where you plan to grow your tree will influence your selection, however. Most importantly, choose a plant that you feel drawn to and love to look at.
What equipment do I need?
Basic equipment is minimal. Many garden suppliers sell specially designed pruning shears for clean cuts and delicate snipping jobs, bonsai wire, and wire cutters. Nurseries also sell bonsai soil, fertilizer and suitable pots. As you and your tree progress, there are many other tricky tools, but until you become hooked on to bonsais, start small.
Basic equipment is minimal. Many garden suppliers sell specially designed pruning shears for clean cuts and delicate snipping jobs, bonsai wire, and wire cutters. Nurseries also sell bonsai soil, fertilizer and suitable pots. As you and your tree progress, there are many other tricky tools, but until you become hooked on to bonsais, start small.
Where should I grow my bonsai?
There’s a popular notion that bonsai are indoor plants. Just as most trees grow outdoors, their smaller versions do too. That’s not to say that they can’t be grown indoors (ficus does well indoors) or in a semi-outdoor area, or that outdoor trees don’t benefit from periods out of extreme weather.
A bonsai can be planted directly in the ground and moved to a pot at a later stage. This technique results in a thicker main trunk that is less prone to damage than a slender one.
There’s a popular notion that bonsai are indoor plants. Just as most trees grow outdoors, their smaller versions do too. That’s not to say that they can’t be grown indoors (ficus does well indoors) or in a semi-outdoor area, or that outdoor trees don’t benefit from periods out of extreme weather.
A bonsai can be planted directly in the ground and moved to a pot at a later stage. This technique results in a thicker main trunk that is less prone to damage than a slender one.
Does a bonsai flower?
Just as trees and shrubs in gardens are prompted by the seasons to change colour, drop leaves, set buds and flower, you can watch your bonsai do the same.
Popular flowering plants for bonsai are azalea, magnolia, gardenia, camellia and wisteria. Bougainvillea makes a stunning flowering bonsai.
Just as trees and shrubs in gardens are prompted by the seasons to change colour, drop leaves, set buds and flower, you can watch your bonsai do the same.
Popular flowering plants for bonsai are azalea, magnolia, gardenia, camellia and wisteria. Bougainvillea makes a stunning flowering bonsai.
How big does a bonsai get? This is a choice for the grower, who can manipulate the bonsai from thimble-size to over 6 feet to fit any decor or garden. In Japan, bonsai classification reflects the number of hands needed to move a tree in its pot. Kenshitsubo are artfully shaped seedlings about 1 inch to 3 inches tall and can be lifted with two fingers. Sizes range upward to two-hand chumono and four-hand omono, from about 16 to 48 inches. Head and shoulders above the rest are majestic eight-hand Imperial bonsai, at 5 feet and up, found in palace gardens, requiring four strong men to move them.
How do I display my bonsai?
The container you choose is like the frame for an artwork — an elaborate one detracts from the sculptural intricacies of the tree. Deep trays and vessels in earthy tones and organic textures play against the forms and colours of your miraculous little tree. Accessories such as moss and stones can be arranged in the container, but don’t overdo them — it’s all about the tree.
The container you choose is like the frame for an artwork — an elaborate one detracts from the sculptural intricacies of the tree. Deep trays and vessels in earthy tones and organic textures play against the forms and colours of your miraculous little tree. Accessories such as moss and stones can be arranged in the container, but don’t overdo them — it’s all about the tree.
Does a bonsai work with modern decor?
A bonsai sits perfectly in a Japanese-style garden or a room or entrance that contains elements of Japanese design, but it is suited to any indoor space and decor. Can you spot the clever play on scale in this modern room? A tiny bonsai looks all the more exquisite juxtaposed with the giant scale and colour blocks of the adjacent painting.
A bonsai sits perfectly in a Japanese-style garden or a room or entrance that contains elements of Japanese design, but it is suited to any indoor space and decor. Can you spot the clever play on scale in this modern room? A tiny bonsai looks all the more exquisite juxtaposed with the giant scale and colour blocks of the adjacent painting.
Bonsai work best in simple uncluttered spaces where their unique perspective can be appreciated, so give them some air. A small bonsai can be moved indoors to decorate a space for special occasions. Placed centrally on a dining table, it makes a conversation starter and could be your chance to gain some converts to the gentle craft. In this dining room, there’s a subtle reference to tree forms in the artwork and the contemporary branching pendant light.
Is bonsai cruel to trees?
Some people believe that bonsai is torturing a tree. Coaxing certain characteristics from a plant is no crueller than the European taste for espalier, topiary, pleaching, hedging or standardising. Every time we pot or prune a plant, its natural growth is altered. A bonsai may thrive better than a tree in the wild at the whim of natural forces, and it reaches its potential — in a small way — while giving immense pleasure and artistic expression to its grower.
Read more:
Kitchen Garden: An Introduction to Microgreens
How to Live With Plants
Tell us:
Do you like the concept of bonsai? Perhaps you have one in your home or garden? Share your thoughts and photos in the Comments section.
Some people believe that bonsai is torturing a tree. Coaxing certain characteristics from a plant is no crueller than the European taste for espalier, topiary, pleaching, hedging or standardising. Every time we pot or prune a plant, its natural growth is altered. A bonsai may thrive better than a tree in the wild at the whim of natural forces, and it reaches its potential — in a small way — while giving immense pleasure and artistic expression to its grower.
Read more:
Kitchen Garden: An Introduction to Microgreens
How to Live With Plants
Tell us:
Do you like the concept of bonsai? Perhaps you have one in your home or garden? Share your thoughts and photos in the Comments section.
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ocicat thank you for the details you supplied. The story touched on these points, about growing trees outside, special bonsai soil, bringing inside for special occasions only, etc. and recommended getting advice from specialist nurseries and groups. Unfortunately, the detail you go into wasn't possible in the length of this article, so thank you for supplying some. I do hope you haven't scared beginners off having a red-hot go at this intriguing craft - we all have to start somewhere!