Bonsai for Beginners

Is your bonsai looking a little… dramatic? Yellow leaves, crispy tips, a sprinkle of twig death? Don't panic, your tree might just be asking for help, not a eulogy. This guide will walk you through how to tell if your bonsai is dying, and exactly how to bring it back to life.

Is It Actually Dying? (Spoiler: Probably Not Yet)

Before you host a tiny funeral, let’s check the basics.

Start with the bark: Lightly scratch a branch with your fingernail. If there’s green beneath, the branch is still alive. Brown and dry all the way through? That bit's toast, but your tree might still have healthy sections lower down.

Check the roots: Gently remove your bonsai from its pot. Healthy roots are pale, firm, and smell like soil. If they’re black, mushy, or smell like a swamp... that’s root rot.

✂️ Trim the damage: Use sterile scissors to remove dead or mushy roots. Keep the firm, healthy ones.

📘 Learn more in The Essential Bonsai Guide

The Recovery Plan (Less CPR, More TLC)

Fix the Environment First

• Light: Most bonsai hate being indoors full-time. Give them bright, indirect light, or morning sun if outside.

• Water: Only water when the top inch of soil feels dry. Forget schedules. Trust the soil.

💧 Too much water = root rot.
🌵 Too little = dehydrated roots.

Don’t feed or prune yet. If your tree is stressed, hold off on fertiliser or styling. Focus on stability first.

▶️ Watch: How Often Should You Water a Bonsai?

📩 Download your free bonsai care checklist, perfect for avoiding future near-death moments.

When Hope Grows (Literally)

Your bonsai will recover on its own time. Don’t rush it.

Watch for:
🌱 New buds
🌿 Fresh leaves
🪴 Root tips peeking through soil

Then, and only then, prune dead branches or feed lightly. Use a half-strength liquid fertiliser and go slow.

📺 Want a visual recovery story? Watch a bonsai bounce back

What’s Your Bonsai Comeback Story?

Have you revived a tree that looked hopeless? Share what worked in the comments, every tip helps another grower.

🌱 See more practical tips on our blog
📘 The Essential Bonsai Guide
▶️ Bonsai Barn YouTube Channel
🌿 Become a Bonsai Barn subscriber on Facebook

If you’re just starting your bonsai journey, be sure to check out our guide to the 7 Best Bonsai Trees for Beginners and learn How to Choose a Healthy Bonsai Tree before you buy. Once your tree’s home, you’ll want to avoid the Top 5 Summer Bonsai Mistakes that can set you back fast, especially when it comes to watering. Not sure how often to water? We’ve got you covered with this no-nonsense guide: How Often Should You Water a Bonsai?. Curious about the full process? How Are Bonsai Trees Grown? gives you a peek into the journey from seed to showstopper. And if you’ve ever looked at a leaf and wondered what tree it came from, don’t miss Best Bonsai for Beginners? Guess the Tree by Its Leaf!. Finally, for lightning-fast answers to common questions, check out 10 Bonsai Tree Questions Every Beginner Asks.