Bonsai tree care is an art. It takes a great deal of dedication and patience, but also some know how. One of the most important elements in looking after your bonsai is using the correct soil. Many beginners will purchase ready-made soil mixtures but as you advance, you may decide you would like to start mixing your own.

When mixing your own soil, you must make sure you create the right mix of ingredients. Your bonsai needs the right balance to ensure it gets all the nutrients it requires to thrive.

The species of bonsai you have will determine the ingredients you need to include in your soil mixture. The quality of the soil is vital to the tree’s health and survival. The soil needs to have good water retention in order to retain moisture between watering. It must also have good drainage so that excess water can run out immediately and to prevent the build up of salt.

Good aeration is also important as the roots of your bonsai tree will need access to oxygen. Well-aerated particle-based soils have tiny air pockets between the soil particles that provide the roots with oxygen and allow fresh air to continually enter the soil.

The ideal soil combination is specific to your bonsai and must be learned overtime by trial and error. Talk to someone at your local nursery with knowledge of your type of bonsai for a good starting point. You can then tweak your formula as your bonsai grows and your understanding of its species and bonsai tree care practices increases.