How to Re-Pot a Bonsai Tree

Depending on the age of your bonsai tree, you will need to re-pot it every 2 to 5 years. This will help to keep your tree from becoming pot-bound, which can cause the bonsai tree to starve to death. To reduce the damage your tree receives during re-potting follow the directions below.

What You Will Need:

• Pot


• Root hook


• Root knife


• Plastic mesh


• Copper wire


• Prepared soil


• Grit

1. Carefully remove the bonsai tree from its current pot. Should the roots get stuck as you try to use it, use your root knife to work the roots out of the soil.


2. Examine the roots of your bonsai tree to determine if the tree should be repotted. You will know that the bonsai tree needs to be repotted when the roots are circled around the root system.


3. Using your root hook, remove the soil from the roots and disentangle them.


4. Prune back the roots of your tree. Do not prune more than one quarter of the root mass. Additionally, you should remove any roots that are rotting or that are growing in a vertical manner.


5. Place a plastic mesh on the drainage holes of your new pot attaching it with wire made of copper. To create good drainage, cover the base of the pot with a layer of grit.


6. Make a second layer by using prepared soil.


7. Place the tree on top of your soil layers in the middle of the pot.


8. Fill the rest of the pot with the soil mixture to just below the rim. Be sure that the pot is filled completely and there are no air pockets between the roots.


9. Water your newly potted bonsai tree to fill any remaining pockets of air and to settle the soil.