Known for its soft blossoms and elegant form, cherry tree bonsai brings charm, color, and seasonal interest to your home or garden.
Cherry trees are loved by bonsai fans and beginner gardeners because of their beautiful flowers and delicate leaves. They’re not just pretty—they also work well for bonsai. Cherry trees respond nicely to pruning and shaping. There are many kinds of bonsai you can use, but the most famous one is the Japanese flowering cherry, which is known for its lovely blossoms. The best time to plant a cherry tree bonsai is in spring, so it has the whole growing season to get used to its pot.
Propagating Cherry Tree Bonsai
You can grow a cherry tree bonsai from a cutting in spring or summer:
Cut a healthy 2- to 4-inch stem from a strong cherry tree bonsai using clean, sharp pruners. Put a layer of lava rock or grit at the bottom of a bonsai pot for good drainage. Add bonsai soil on top. Push the cutting about 1 inch deep into the soil. Keep the soil moist all the time.
Once you see new leaves growing and the cutting feels firm when you gently pull on it, roots have started to grow.
Varieties of Japanese Cherry Trees
Kurile cherry bonsai (Prunus nipponica var. kurilensis) is a Japanese cherry tree with pinkish-white flowers that bloom in April. The ‘Brilliant’ variety is a favorite for bonsai. It grows in USDA Zones 6 to 8.
Kanzan cherry (Prunus serrulata ‘Kanzan’) is one of the most eye-catching Japanese cherry trees. It has big, double pink flowers and grows in USDA Zones 5 to 9.
Yoshino cherry (Prunus x yedoensis) is a mix of cherry types. It has sweet-smelling white or pale pink flowers that bloom before or along with the leaves. It grows well in USDA Zones 5 to 8.
Fuji cherry (Prunus incisa) is a cherry tree with white flowers. It grows slowly, which makes it a good choice for bonsai. Its name comes from the deep cuts on its leaves. It grows well in USDA Zones 5 to 9.
Higan cherry (Prunus subhirtella) is a naturally grown hybrid cherry tree. It has pale pink to white flowers, but they don’t have a scent. It grows in USDA Zones 4 to 8.
Requirements for Growing Cherry Bonsai Trees
Location
Cherry tree bonsai like some sunlight but not too much. Their flowers and leaves are delicate and can burn in strong sun. The best spot is where they get gentle light in the morning and evening but are shaded during the hot afternoon.
Soil
For cherry tree bonsai, good drainage is the most important thing when it comes to soil. It’s best to use bonsai soil from the store because it’s made especially for bonsai trees. Cherry bonsai also like soil that’s a little bit acidic, with a pH between 5.5 and 6.5.
Water
Cherry tree bonsai need steady moisture and humidity to stay healthy. It’s better to use distilled water instead of hard tap water. Keep the soil moist but not soaked.
As a rule, let the top inch of soil dry out just a little before watering again.
In spring and summer, when the tree is growing, you’ll need to water it more often. Never let the soil dry out completely.
Temperature and Humidity
Cherry tree bonsai usually like warm weather in spring and summer, some humidity, and cooler temperatures in winter. That’s why, like most bonsai trees, they should be kept outside all year round.
Fertilizer
Feed your cherry tree bonsai every two weeks during spring and summer while it’s growing. Use a balanced fertilizer. Older trees don’t need fertilizer as often as younger trees that are still growing.
Pruning
Regular pruning and shaping help keep your cherry tree bonsai healthy and looking good. Wait until the flowers are done blooming—usually in summer—before you start pruning.
Pinch back new shoots to shape the tree and help it grow more branches. If you need to do heavy pruning on the main branches or stems, wait until winter.
When pruning new growth, don’t cut off all of it. Always leave some new shoots so the tree can keep growing. Also, remember that cutting too much can lead to fewer flowers the next year.
Repotting
Cherry tree bonsai should be repotted every two years. Older trees can be repotted every three to five years. The best time to do this is in spring, before the tree starts to bloom.
When picking a new pot, keep a few things in mind. Bonsai pots are made to look good with the tree, allow water to drain well, and help control root growth. They also have holes for wiring the branches if needed.
Remember, bonsai rules say the pot should be no more than 2/3 the height and width of the tree. This helps with both how it looks and how the roots grow.
After repotting your cherry tree bonsai, keep it in a partly shaded spot until it settles in. Freshly repotted trees are more sensitive to too much sun and exposure.
Overwintering
Remember, bonsai rules say the pot should be no more than 2/3 the height and width of the tree. This helps with both how it looks and how the roots grow.
After repotting your cherry tree bonsai, keep it in a partly shaded spot until it settles in. Freshly repotted trees are more sensitive to too much sun and exposure.
Pests & Plant Diseases
Just like full-size Japanese cherry trees, cherry tree bonsai can get pests and diseases. You might see scale insects, spider mites, or aphids on your tree. These can often be washed off with a strong spray from a garden hose. Watch out for tent caterpillars and Japanese beetles too.
Cherry bonsai can also get diseases like leaf spots, dieback, leaf curl, powdery mildew, root rot, and fireblight.
