Ultimate Guide to Watering Bonsai Tree

Watering is one of the most important parts of the art of growing bonsai trees. Knowing how to water bonsai trees is crucial which one should develop as a bonsai artist. 

Watering bonsai is an art on its own. As underwatering can kill your bonsai trees, over-watering is also the fastest way of killing a bonsai tree.

This means this task is not an easy thing to do. It requires proper knowledge, some trial, and experience to get right. 

However, how often you should water a bonsai tree depends on some specific requirements such as the species of the tree, the size of the tree, the size of the pot, humidity, soil composition, and the time of the year.

But there are also some general requirements which are recommended to follow as a bonsai gardener. So, in this article, I am gonna explain some general guidelines for bonsai watering. 

So, let’s get started.

How often should I water my bonsai?

As we mentioned before, there are many factors to be considered while understanding how often bonsai trees need to be watered. 

Though many bonsai tree species require regular watering, most of them will do best if they’re watered often and moderately.

So never follow a schedule to water your bonsai trees. All you need to do is monitor your trees regularly to figure out when they need to be watered.

To know the thing more clearly, let’s check out the following guidelines.

Water your trees when the soil is starting to dry out

How wet or dry your bonsai tree soil is the major factor to be identified in the case of watering your bonsai tree. 

So try to check your bonsai soil regularly and water your trees when it starts to dry out. To check the soil moisture, you can use your fingers or any digging tools to dig the soil. 

But you should remember that you can’t disturb the soil too much. So dig down at about a half-inch or just one centimeter deep.  

Note: When you are a beginner, you must dig the soil to check the soil moisture. The reason is sometimes the surface looks so moist, when the soil inside may be dry. So you should check at least one centimeter deep from the surface to be sure. 

By checking the soil, if you notice the soil gets slightly dry, take your watering can and water away. You should water your trees properly and make sure that the water reaches everywhere in the pot. 

Moreover, you should bear in mind that overwatering can cause root rot and can also grow fungus or mold on the surface of the soil. So avoid overwatering and just water enough so that the soil stays wet. 

Use the right soil composition

Using the right soil composition is very influential in the case of how often you should water your bonsai tree. If you’re unable to water or monitor your trees regularly, use a soil mixture that can retain more water for a longer period.

Using more Akadama in the soil composition is greatly influential for retaining water in the pot. Moreover, you can use various types of compost which are also very useful to retain water for a long time. 

Choose the right time to water your trees

When is the best time to water the bonsai tree is a big question of all time. But the answer is very simple. You just need to consider the season and your environment.  

Bonsai trees don’t like the utmost situation. So during the winter season, water your bonsai tree in the mornings, and during the summer season water the trees at nightfall.

How to water bonsai trees

As we mentioned, observe your bonsai tree regularly and determine how often the tree needs to be watered. When you find the soil is slightly dry, water your tree until the excess water starts running out through the bottom drainage holes.

At the time of watering, use a watering can having a fine nozzle and pour the water from above to reduce the force of the water. It will protect the soil from being disturbed and washed away. 

What kind of water should I give my bonsai tree? 

Fresh untreated water is the best water that you should give your bonsai tree. In this case, rainwater will be the best choice for watering your bonsai tree, as it is completely untreated by any kind of chemical.

However, you can use normal tap water as rainwater isn’t always available. But make sure that your tree gets the rainwater occasionally.

Final Thoughts

Watering bonsai trees is possibly one of the most important techniques for growing bonsai trees. How to water a bonsai tree is a big question for beginners as it is one kind of art that will develop with time and trial. 

So you can follow our guidelines which are attached hereto develop your knowledge and practice it in real for acquire more experience and master this art. 

Finally, there is one more thing, we would like to mention to you again whenever you water your tree, make sure that the entire root system is completely wetted. 


Frequently Asked Questions

# How often do you need to water a bonsai tree?

There is no specific timetable for when you should water your bonsai tree. Water your bonsai tree when the soil becomes slightly dry.

# How much should I water an indoor bonsai tree?

There is no limit to how much water you should give to an indoor bonsai tree. Keep watering until the water saturates the soil and excess water starts overflowing.

# What water should you use for bonsai?

Rainwater is the best choice to use for watering bonsai. You can also use spring water if available. Otherwise, normal tap water can be used to water your bonsai tree.

# Can I use distilled water for bonsai?

Though many people use distilled water for bonsai trees, it has a major downside you should be aware of. Distilled water doesn’t contain any necessary minerals that the tree needs to thrive. So using distilled water for a long time can damage the health of a bonsai tree. 

# Can you overwater a bonsai tree?

No. You can’t. Overwatering is equally harmful as under-watering. It can damage the root system of a tree when you overwater a tree for a long time.