Photo: Qbic / Flickr

Indoor plants are a good addition to any household, whether they are pot plants or a cacti collection, but if you’re looking for something eye catching then look no further than the bonsai tree. Thought to have originated in Japan, they have become familiar all over the world and are often referred to as ‘living sculptures’.

Getting hold of a bonsai tree can take a bit of shopping around, even online, but if this is your first time then it is best to simply purchase a bonsai sapling from the local nursery. A bonsai starter kit is a good place to start, as it will include a sapling, an instruction manual, a bonsai pot and necessary tools.

Caring for the tree

Caring for the plant requires regular work, but this doesn’t have to be a chore. Make sure to water the tree regularly, and also carefully, as most bonsai trees can drown with too much water. Also make sure that the pots have adequate holes for the water to drain.

Pruning the tree is the part that requires skill, as you need to consider three factors. Firstly, pruning is done with aluminium wiring, to be bent around the branches into the shape that you want. The shape will come over time. Secondly, use a sharp cutter to prune the leaves, and never remove all the leaves, as this will remove the plant’s food source.

Thirdly, you will need to prune the roots, as the growth of the roots is in relation to the height of the tree. Pruning the roots is a way of restricting the growth of the tree, as you are trying to maintain a miniature tree.

Displaying the tree

Finally, display your tree, either indoors or outdoors. Certain trees need to be kept in certain conditions, so keep this in mind when finding a place to put them. Trees in a bonsai collection would need to be kept in different parts of your house or garden, not limiting the decor effect to one spot.