Bonsai is an Asian gardening technique that has been practiced for millennia. It produces attractive, little plant specimens by combining patience with aesthetics. But, we often get questions about growing succulents as bonsai – is it possible?
Bonsai trees are usually made out of woody plants, but you can easily grow your own succulent bonsai trees! One thing that make succulents perfect for bonsai is that they are inherently small and hardy, and don’t mind being pruned into a bonsai shape.
Traditional bonsai are grown in shallow containers, leaving little area for roots, necessitating root cutting to keep the plant tiny. You would not need to root prune succulents as bonsai in most cases. This makes taking care of succulent bonsai a lot easier than traditional bonsai care.
Smaller succulent plants usually take on the shape of bonsai, if not, it is possible to form a succulent into a bonsai. There are various succulents suitable for bonsai, but the jade plant is arguably the most popular today. Let’s dive a bit deeper into this succulent bonsai world.
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Young succulents typically seem like bonsai when they are first bought, but you’ll have to maintain the shape and size. Lines, proportions, balance, and shape are all assessed in traditional bonsai. The art of bonsai has a lot of rules, but for the sake of growing succulents as bonsai, you can concentrate on the overall form.
Bonsai comes in a variety of styles. The most common types include cascading plants, those that appear windswept or slanted, totally upright like a Mexican Fence Post cactus (Lemaireocereus Marginatus), and upright twisted specimens like the spiraled cactus (Cereus forbesii Spiralis). When choosing a succulent, go with its natural form rather than trying to force it into a particular shape. That is, if you want a specific look, pick a plant that will naturally grow in that direction.
Some succulents that make great bonsai are Crassula ovate (Jade plant), Sedum, and Euphorbia trigona, but this is by no means an entire list. Cereus peruvianus monstrose (Apple Cactus) and Opuntia imbricate (Tree Cholla) are two species of cactus that can also work well for bonsai. Don’t be afraid to try out different succulent varieties to see if you can create a work of beauty.
Tips on Growing A Miniature Bonsai
Choose a succulent species that will not overrun its pot if you want to build a miniature succulent bonsai. Starting with smaller species is one of the most critical parts of keeping your succulents tiny. If you care more about shape than size, you’ll have more options, but you’ll probably need more growing space to accommodate your new hobby.
Bonsai succulents, like any other succulents, require a container with adequate drainage and soil. It’s recommended to grow succulent bonsai, especially miniature bonsai, in planters that have a drainage hole. Use the same kind of succulent or cactus soil you would use for any other plant.
Types of Succulents as Bonsai
You will need a plant that will grow larger and have distinct stems if you wish to create a succulent bonsai tree. Euphorbia (commonly known as Spurge) and Crassula (commonly known as Jade plant) specimens will develop a good trunk and dense branches, making them an exquisite choice for a tree.
Elephant trees (Bursera microphylla) and Ponytail palms are other good options.
Sedum (a.k.a Stonecrops), Mammillaria, and Adenium species are good choices if you prefer little plants. Before you choose your plant, do some research to be sure it would not need a larger pot and will have the growth habit you’re looking for. Use a small dish that drains properly and soil that doesn’t retain too much moisture.
Succulent Bonsai Care Training
Shape
Growing a bonsai-style succulent requires different care than growing a conventional plant. After a year or two, you may need to prune some roots. For a windswept look, some plants can be wired to curve their stems. Pruning leaves and branches is also important to maintain a specific shape.
If you expect your succulents to develop throughout the summer, start molding your bonsai in the spring so you can continue to shape the plant as it gets more leaves.
Consider how you want your end product to look when you cut your succulent into its new bonsai shape. It’ll be easier to decide which stems or leaves need to be cut if you already have an ideal shape in mind.
Start cutting before the plant generates a lot of new growth if you want to keep your succulent small. Maintaining its size may be more challenging if you wait until the end of the growing season. Here’s a helpful a step-by-step guide.
If you want to keep your succulents small, place them in an area that gets plenty of sunlight. Unless it’s part of your overall bonsai design to stretch the succulents out, depriving them of adequate sunlight will cause them to become etiolated or stretched out.
Health
Wait a week before watering your succulent once it’s been planted. Then wait until the soil is completely dry before watering again. Your succulent bonsai will require the same amount of water, food, soil, and light as a normal plant would. Feeding should be stopped during the dormant season, and watering should be reduced to avoid rot.
While it’s vital to provide adequate care for your succulent, you don’t need to overdo it. If you already know how to keep them small, you’re aware that they only need some basic maintenance. By providing only the basic minimum care, you’re simulating natural conditions that limit plant development. A plant will not grow if it does not acquire enough nutrients or water to support itself at a greater size.
You must, however, ensure that your succulent bonsai gets enough sunlight. As previously mentioned, if it does not receive enough sunshine, it may become etiolated or stretched out.
An etiolated succulent will grow taller and thinner rather than produce new leaves, making your bonsai weaker and paler.
Conclusion
Bonsai is a fascinating and enjoyable art form. You may have discovered the ultimate activity when you combine it with your love of succulents and cacti.
So, now that you know what you need to know about producing a living work of art, go ahead and choose your succulent and get started! With a little inspiration and a lot of time, you can grow the bonsai succulent of your dreams.