Bonsai Soil Mix
Ficus, jade, juniper and other bonsai
In stock · ships by Canada Post
About this mix
- Mixed for bonsai, ready to use from the bag
- Made of: pumice, fine fir bark, horticultural charcoal
- One 3 L bag fills about 1–3 pots, no 50 L sacks to store
- No fertilizer, only the components listed
- Shipping $12–$20, free from $60 (details)
Product information
| Best for | Ficus, jade, juniper and other bonsai |
|---|---|
| Bag size | 3 L (about 1.8 kg packed) |
| Ingredients | Pumice, Fine fir bark, Horticultural charcoal |
| Fertilizer | None added |
| Price | $22.00 CAD before tax |
| Shipping | Canada Post, across Canada (Quebec coming soon) |
A bonsai lives in a small, shallow pot for years. Water has to drain instantly, and the roots need air, or they rot. Regular soil turns to mud in a bonsai pot. This mix is mostly pumice with fine bark and charcoal, sifted to a size that suits bonsai pots.
Is it right for your plant?
Use it for
- Indoor bonsai: ficus, jade, Chinese elm, schefflera
- Outdoor bonsai: juniper, pine, maple
- Pre-bonsai and young trees in training pots
Not for
- Regular houseplants: it dries too fast in a normal pot. Use Aroid Mix.
- African violets and ferns: they need softer, moister soil. Use African Violet Mix.
What's inside
| 50% | Pumice: drainage and air that never breaks down |
| 35% | Fine fir bark: holds some moisture and gives roots grip |
| 15% | Horticultural charcoal: keeps structure and the mix fresh |
Water runs straight through. In a shallow pot the mix can dry in 1–2 days in summer, so check daily. That is normal for bonsai soil.
How much do I need?
Enter your pot size. We assume a typical shallow bonsai pot filled to the top.
When you repot, the root ball takes up part of the pot, so you usually need a bit less. Leftover mix keeps for months in the closed bag.
How to repot
- Repot in early spring just before new growth. Young trees every 2 years, older ones every 3–5 years.
- Sift the mix if you want to remove fine dust, and keep the bag dry until use.
- Take the tree out and comb out about a third of the old soil with a chopstick or root hook.
- Trim the longest and thickest roots by up to a third, keeping fine roots.
- Cover the drainage holes with mesh, add a layer of mix and set the tree, tying it in with wire if needed.
- Fill with mix and work it between the roots with a chopstick so there are no air pockets.
- Water slowly until water runs clear from the holes, and keep the tree out of wind and strong sun for 2 weeks.
Bonsai Mix: questions
What soil is best for bonsai?
A gritty, free-draining mix of mostly inorganic particles like pumice, with some bark. Regular potting soil stays too wet in a shallow pot.
Is this mix good for an indoor ficus bonsai?
Yes. Ficus and jade do well in it. Indoors it dries more slowly than outside, so check the soil before watering.
Does it contain akadama?
No. Akadama is imported from Japan. This mix uses pumice instead, which does not break down over time.
Does the mix contain fertilizer?
No. Bonsai in gritty soil need regular feeding with a bonsai or balanced fertilizer in the growing season.
How much do I need for one tree?
A shallow 20 cm bonsai pot takes about 1.3–1.5 litres. Use the calculator above for your pot.
Compare the mixes
| Orchid | Succulent & Cactus | Aroid | African Violet | Seed Starting | Bonsai | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| For | Orchids | Succulents & cacti | Monstera & aroids | African violets | Seeds | Bonsai |
| Main ingredient | Medium fir bark | Pumice | Fir bark | Sphagnum peat moss | Fine coco coir | Pumice |
| Bag | 3 L | 3 L | 3 L | 3 L | 3 L | 3 L |
| Price | $22.00 | $22.00 | $22.00 | $22.00 | $22.00 | $22.00 |
