Baobab Bonsai Care Guide

Adansonia digitata

Baobab Bonsai

Native to the tropical regions of Africa and Asia. Adansonia digitata is a deciduous tree famed for its sizable succulent trunks. The character of this bonsai is as much in its bulbous trunk as any of its flowering foliage.

Baobab Bonsai Care Tips

The species is sensitive to cold temperatures and needs keeping in a warm environment. It will not tolerate temperatures below 10 degrees C. Baobab asks for six hours of full sun per day. For indoor setups, grow lights may need to be on this plant for some 16 hours of the day for optimal growth.  

Across the growing season., Baobab only need watering once a month due to their succulent trunks storing so much water. In the dormant winter period, do not water your Baobab.

Baobab require feeding once a month with a half-strength liquid fertiliser.

Baobab bonsai are good for pruning at any time across the calendar year. Trim new shoots whenever they grow too long. 

Wiring is an option with Baobab though it should be stated the majority of shaping can be done with scissors. We recommend using wires with a thickness that matches the thickness of the branch: if the wire you choose is too thick you will damage the bark. If it is too thin, it won’t be effective.

Repotting your tree is an important way to provide a fresh and suitable soil mix and ensure appropriate root health. Baobab need repotting every two years in the spring. A soil mix with humus is advised. 

Trees that are ready for repotting will require root pruning, a suitable new pot and appropriate soil mix.

When repotting, do not cut back the root mass by a large amount, and choose a well-draining soil mix that has a neutral or slightly higher PH value of 5-6 but not over 7. We tend to use a mixture of different speciality bonsai soils on our trees. Every species is different so please contact us for free soil-mix advice or to take advantage of our repotting service.

Bonsai make for a one-of-a-kind indoor plant offering elegance, nature and art all in one minute form. Across an array of exquisite and erudite species, they all demand their own specific care and cultivation needs in order for their beauty to flourish. We have an extensive library of care guides for indoor bonsai trees so you can make an informed and considered choice. It’s not about selecting the perfect bonsai, it’s about selecting the perfect bonsai for you. 

Baobab Bonsai - Typical Queries

Baobab Bonsai can be propagated from both cuttings and seeds. Using seeds is advised as the most successful method and will require the correct temperature range to germinate. 

Baobab is prone to root rot when overwatered. As a succulent that is remarkably thirsty this would be an achievement. Be more mindful of intruders which are prone when the tree is kept indoors. Spider mites and aphids are the likely pests for this species and should be handled with the appropriate pesticide. 

While this is an easily propagated and cared for species it’s only advised for beginners who have a sufficiently equipped indoor space that can provide high temperatures and substantial artificial lighting.