Japanese Spindle Tree Bonsai Care Guide

Euonymus sieboldianus

Japanese Spindle Tree Bonsai

This variation of the Spindle Tree brings a colourful array of foliage and fruits across Autumn. As Euonymus species can be deciduous and evergreen they can be found all over the world except for South America and Africa. Japanese Spindle Trees provide elegant colour with pale green flowers that blossom pinkish white fruits with red seeds.

Japanese Spindle Tree Bonsai Care Tips

Place your Japanese Spindle tree in a position without full direct sunlight. While they are hardy Smaller trees will require protection from frost. If you expect temperatures below -5 °C, consider moving it to an unheated greenhouse, or conservatory or providing insulation for the pot.

Japanese Spindle trees require daily watering throughout the summer. Be sure to keep the soil mix consistently moist. Across the growing season, it is advised to regularly mist the tree. 

Feed your Japanese Spindle Tree every two weeks across the growing season from late spring through to late summer. Colour levels can be boosted by reducing nitrogen levels from the middle of summer. 

Any new growths are appropriate for pruning in the spring. This is to be done again two to three times across the growing season. 

Until the tree is ten years old, Japanese Spindle trees require repotting yearly in spring as its new buds show growth. After ten years it’s advised to repot once every two to three years as necessary. 

Bonsai trees aren’t only magnificent additions to an indoor oasis, they are more than capable of standing out in any garden. Many Bonsai species are incredibly hardy and withstand nature’s colder and damper turns with aplomb making them worthwhile outdoor plants. We have an extensive library of care guides for outdoor bonsai trees. It’s not about selecting the perfect bonsai, it’s about selecting the perfect bonsai for you. 

Japanese Spindle Tree Bonsai - Typical Queries

 Yes, Japanese spindle is toxic to pets and humans if ingested in quantitiy. The leaves stems, and fruits contain a substance called euonymine, which can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, convulsions, and cardiac arrest. The symptoms may appear within a few hours or days after ingestion. If you suspect your pet has eaten any part of this plant, contact your veterinarian immediately.

To propagate a Japanese spindle tree bonsai from cuttings, you need to take a healthy stem cutting from the parent plant in spring or summer. The cutting should be about 10 cm long and have at least two pairs of leaves. You should remove the lower leaves and dip the cut end in a rooting hormone. Then, you should insert the cutting in a pot filled with a moist soil mix and cover it with a plastic bag. The cutting should be kept in a warm and bright place and watered regularly until it roots.

A Japanese spindle tree bonsai can be affected by pests and diseases, such as scale insects, spider mites, aphids, mealybugs, leaf spot, powdery mildew, and root rot. You should inspect the bonsai regularly and treat any signs of infestation or infection as soon as possible. You can use a soft brush or a cotton swab dipped in alcohol or spray the bonsai with an insecticide or fungicide.