Subscribe for 10% off your First Order!
Miyagi Bonsai Logo

Carmona Retusa

Fukien Tea Tree Bonsai

The Fukien tea tree is a subtropical species that gets its name from Fukien in China but it is native to a wide part of southeast Asia. It is an elegant species with small, dark green and glossy leaves and produces tiny white star-shaped flowers all year round. It occasionally can produce small black berries too.

Fukien Tea Tree Bonsai Care Guide

Fukien Tea Tree Bonsai Care Tips

The Fukien Tea Tree is a strictly indoor bonsai that requires warm, stable temperatures year-round. It does not tolerate cold well and should never be exposed to temperatures below 15°C (59°F). Place it in a bright, sunny location such as a south- or west-facing windowsill, where it receives several hours of direct or strong indirect sunlight daily. It also thrives in humidity, so it’s beneficial to place it on a humidity tray, use a room humidifier, or mist it regularly—especially in winter when indoor air can become dry due to heating. 

The Fukien Tea prefers consistent, moderate watering, and its soil should never be left to dry out completely. Water thoroughly when the top layer of soil feels dry to the touch, allowing water to drain freely from the pot’s bottom. Avoid letting it sit in standing water, as this can lead to root rot. Its watering needs may increase in warmer months or under strong indoor lighting but remain consistent year-round due to its evergreen nature. Be cautious not to overwater, especially if the environment lacks airflow or humidity. 

If you are a first-time bonsai owner, another way to water is by submerging the entire pot in water until the bubbles stop. If you choose this method, be aware that your bonsai may not need watering for another two to four days, but this will depend on the factors mentioned above such as soil type, pot size and climate. The Fukien tea tree dislikes short periods of drought.

The tea tree also benefits from higher humidity levels. This can be achieved by using a mister to spray the leaves, as well as placing a gravel tray under the pot to create a more humid microclimate around the tree.

Feed your Fukien Tea Bonsai every 2–4 weeks. A mild fertiliser formulated for bonsai is ideal. Because the tree may continue to grow slowly indoors throughout the winter, light monthly feeding during colder months is acceptable, especially if the tree is under grow lights or in a warm, bright environment. Avoid fertilising during flowering periods if you want to enjoy the blooms undisturbed. You can start adding Chrysal Liquid Bonsai Feed to your water from March until October. Use Naruko Fertiliser Slow Release Bonsai Feed once every one to two months. 

Regular pruning will help maintain the Fukien Tea’s tidy shape and encourage dense branching. Pinch or cut back new shoots after they develop 6–8 leaves, leaving 2–4 to promote ramification. The Carmona responds well to pruning but can be sensitive to aggressive cuts, so shape gradually over time. Wiring is possible, but take care—its branches are somewhat brittle and should be wired gently during the growing season. Check wire frequently to avoid cutting into the bark. 

Training your bonsai using wiring is possible with a Fukien tea tree, and the young shoots are very pliable and easy to bend. Take more care with the older branches as they are slightly more brittle and should be manipulated gently. It is recommended to not leave the wires on longer than three consecutive months to avoid biting into the delicate bark and causing scarring. When wiring, remember to choose 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.  

Repot the Fukien Tea Tree every 2–3 years, ideally in late spring or early summer when the tree is actively growing. Use a well-draining bonsai soil mix, such as one based on akadama and pumice or a commercial bonsai mix designed for indoor species. Gently trim the roots and avoid removing too much root mass at once. After repotting, keep the tree in a warm, humid, and lightly shaded area for a couple of weeks to help it recover. 

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. 

Fukien Tea Tree Bonsai - Typical Queries

To propagate a Fukien Tea bonsai, you can use seeds, cuttings, or air layering. Seeds can be sown in moist soil and kept in a warm and humid place. Cuttings can be taken from healthy shoots and planted in a pot with rooting hormone. Air layering can be done by making a cut on a branch, wrapping it with moist sphagnum moss and plastic, and cutting it off when roots appear.

To deal with pests and diseases on a Fukien Tea Tree bonsai, you need to inspect your tree regularly and take preventive measures. Some common pests that can affect your tree are spider mites, scale insects, mealybugs, and aphids. You can use a soft brush, a cotton swab, or a spray of water to remove them. You can also use insecticidal soap or neem oil to treat them. Some common diseases that can affect your tree are root rot, leaf spot, and fungal infections. You can prevent them by keeping your tree healthy, avoiding overwatering, and providing good air circulation. You can also use fungicides to treat them.

To style a Fukien Tea Tree bonsai, you can choose from various bonsai styles, such as formal upright, informal upright, slanting, cascade, broom, forest, or literati. You can also create your own style based on your preference and creativity. You can use wiring, pruning, and shaping techniques to achieve the desired look. You can also choose a suitable pot, soil, and accessories to complement your tree.

A Fukien Tea Tree bonsai needs a lot of natural light to thrive, but not direct sunlight. It prefers a bright location near a window, where it can receive at least four to six hours of indirect sunlight per day. If the sunlight is too strong, it can scorch the leaves and flowers. If the sunlight is too weak, it can cause the leaves to drop and the flowers to fade. You can use a curtain, a shade cloth, or a plant lamp to adjust the light intensity and duration.

Fukien Tea Tree bonsai can be grown both indoors and outdoors, depending on the climate and the season. It is a tropical plant that likes warmth and humidity, so it is ideal for indoor bonsai in most regions. It can tolerate temperatures between 60°F and 85°F (15°C and 30°C), but it cannot survive frost or freezing. If you live in a very warm climate, you can place your Fukien Tea Tree bonsai outside during the summer months, as long as the nights are warm enough. You can also bring it inside during the winter months, when the temperature drops below 60°F (15°C).

There are several possible reasons why your Fukien Tea Tree bonsai is drooping, such as:

    • Underwatering: If the soil is too dry, the leaves will wilt and droop. You need to water your tree more often and check the soil moisture regularly.
    • Overwatering: If the soil is too wet, the roots will rot and the leaves will turn yellow and droop. You need to water your tree less often and improve the soil drainage.
    • Pest infestation: If the leaves are covered with tiny webs, spots, or scales, your tree may have spider mites, scale insects, mealybugs, or aphids. You need to remove the pests with a soft brush, a cotton swab, or a spray of water. You can also use insecticidal soap or neem oil to treat them.
    • Disease infection: If the leaves have brown or black spots, patches, or edges, your tree may have leaf spot, fungal infection, or root rot. You need to prune the affected leaves and branches and apply fungicide to treat them. You also need to keep your tree healthy, avoid overwatering, and provide good air circulation.