Care for indoor bonsai with a simple month-by-month routine.
Your indoor bonsai yearly rhythm at a glance
A steady, simple routine is the secret to keeping indoor bonsai healthy. Begin the year by taking stock in January: ensure your tree is positioned in bright, indirect light and away from drafts, heat vents, or cold windows. In February, clean foliage to maximize photosynthesis and check wire for bite; remove or adjust as needed. As spring approaches in March and April, days lengthen and growth kicks in—water more frequently, resume light feeding, and plan repotting for tropical species like ficus just as new growth begins. May and June bring stronger growth; prune back to 2–3 leaves after shoots extend to maintain shape, and rotate the tree weekly for even canopy development. Through July and August, monitor heat; increase humidity with a pebble tray, and water thoroughly when the top of the soil dries. In September, taper fertilization to prepare for shorter days, and in October, tidy structure with light pruning. November and December are for rest and observation—reduce water slightly while preventing the root ball from drying, dust leaves, and inspect for pests. For practical care principles and indoor ficus specifics—including water, temperature, and humidity—see Kusamura Bonsai Club: Ficus Basics. For broader, institutional guidance and seasonal best practices, review the Chicago Botanic Garden’s overview Chicago Botanic Garden Bonsai Guide (PDF). These references, combined with a monthly checklist, keep maintenance predictable and rewarding, even for busy home gardeners.
Seasonal water, light, pruning, and feeding guidance
As days lengthen and growth resumes, increase watering frequency while keeping the surface from staying soggy; water thoroughly when the top centimeter is dry. From late winter into spring, begin light feeding every 2–4 weeks with a balanced fertilizer at half strength, and resume structural pruning after a brief spring flush. Rotate the tree weekly to balance light indoors, and provide supplemental LEDs if windows offer less than bright, indirect light for 8–10 hours. In summer, watch heat and humidity: many indoor species, especially ficus, appreciate higher humidity—use a tray of pebbles and water (pot above waterline) and mist foliage in the morning. Inspect for scale and spider mites every two weeks; treat early with a cotton swab dipped in alcohol or an appropriate horticultural soap. For species-specific care tips, see the Chicago Botanic Garden’s concise bonsai guide (PDF) Chicago Botanic Garden Bonsai Guide (PDF) and a practical ficus-focused overview from the Kusamura Bonsai Club, Kusamura Bonsai Club: Ficus Basics.
Repotting, pest checks, troubleshooting by season
Each season brings specific maintenance tasks. In late summer, consider partial defoliation on vigorous ficus to reduce leaf size and increase ramification; always leave enough foliage to sustain the tree. Early autumn is a good time to ease off fertilizer and prepare for lower indoor light—trim lightly, clean leaves of dust, and check wiring to prevent cutting in as branches thicken. In winter, growth slows; reduce watering frequency, but never allow roots to dry out completely, and keep trees away from cold drafts or heat vents. Perform a midwinter pest check under leaves and along branch crotches. Repotting is best in late winter to early spring for tropical indoor species when roots are just beginning to grow; use a free-draining bonsai mix and trim roots conservatively to maintain vigor. For additional high-quality advice and practical tips from a world-class institution, review Kew Gardens’ guidance, Kew Gardens: Top ten bonsai tips, and cross-reference species guidance at Virginia Bonsai: Species Guide. With a simple monthly checklist—water, rotate, inspect, prune, feed—you’ll keep indoor bonsai healthy year-round.
