Ground Cover for Bonsai Trees

If you're interested in bonsai, you've probably noticed that they often feature attractive ground cover that adds tremendously to the overall effect. Moss is the most common material used, but there are others as well. Ground cover not only adds to the beauty of the bonsai, it also serves a useful purpose. It helps to retain water and hold the soil in the pot.

If you a bonsai beginner, you need to realize that there's a certain technique you need to follow when adding moss to your bonsai tree. If you don't do it right, it can become lumpy, which certainly isn't what you're looking for visually.

Start by cutting the moss away from where it's growing by using a sharp knife. Avoid taking any more soil than you have to. Take the moss and place it in a paper lined container. Moisten it a bit, and then take away any remaining soil. Sharp scissors will be useful in this task.

Next you need to roughen the surface of the soil in your bonsai pot. Then, using long handed tweezers, take a tuft of moss and insert it into the soil. Don't place the moss against the trunk. After you have planted all the moss, sprinkle some dry soil over top of it and press it down gently. After a while, the moss will start to grow evenly across the surface of the soil.

Moss isn't the only ground cover you can use for your bonsai tree. Baby tears, for example, is a great choice because it's fast growing and hardy. It's also very attractive. However, you will need to control it because it can tend to take over.

Another popular plant used for ground cover is Kyoto Dwarf Mondo Grass. This is a fine-leafed cover that is native to Korea and Japan. This plant also grows quickly and will need to be trimmed frequently.

With these types of ground covers, it's important that you don't allow them to completely take over your bonsai. They need to be constantly trimmed and controlled.

If a living ground cover doesn't suit your preferences, consider using iron stones. They're very small and inexpensive, and lend a very finished appearance without the need for constant trimming.