Bonsai Junipers

Bonsai Junipers have been around since a very long time. Juniperus is a genus which comprises more than 60 species of shrubs and trees. The proliferation of junipers as a bonsai material can be attributed to their ability to survive in harsh conditions. They generally sustain lack of good quality soil and respond well to heavy pruning exercises. Junipers also tend to develop a good root system pretty easily.

The most important thing to remember with junipers and for that matter any coniferous trees is that, they are supposed to be grown outdoors. When grown indoors they become unhealthy. Bonsai Junipers require good amount of sunlight and variations in atmospheric conditions to do well, which cannot be easily replicated indoors.

Junipers are quite allergic to heavy watering and don’t do well in a damp soil. If you intend to carry out some major pruning exercise on your bonsai juniper, then late spring is the best time for it. During the growing season you should pluck off the tips on the new buds using the thumb and the first finger. This is something which can be practiced across all conifer varieties and not just junipers.

Junipers have needles which can easily pierce the skin and produce rashes; hence you should use protective gloves when handling bonsai junipers.

They can be grown in a variety of bonsai styles, but is not very suitable for the broom and upright style of bonsai.


Bonsai Junipers do well when kept in the full sun, and the soil is allowed to dry out before watering again. Unlike many other bonsai varieties, junipers are quite hardy and can be kept outside during the winter season. However you have to be cautious and see to it that frost does not form on the root balls of the bonsai tree.

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