How to Grow a Cannabis Bonsai in 4 Steps (and Which Strains Work Best)

What is a bonsai?

A cannabis bonsai is a weed plant kept tiny on purpose with classic bonsai techniques (a small container, tying the branches into shape and careful pruning), usually so it can serve as a space-saving mother plant for clones. A bonsai tree is basically a miniature tree, but the name actually refers to the technique that gives these little trees their shape and size.

Bonsai is an ancient practice of growing artificially dwarfed ornamental plants and trees in pots. Most people assume bonsai comes from Japan, but the practice actually has its roots in China, where it's popular as both an art form and a horticultural technique.

Bonsai first appeared when the Chinese began practicing penjing, the art of creating miniature landscapes, more than 2,000 years ago.

It was during Japan's Kamakura period, from 1192 to 1333, that the Japanese adopted and adapted many Chinese cultural traditions, and that's how the art of bonsai took root there. Over time, Chinese penjing evolved in Japan, and Japanese bonsai shifted its focus to growing single, low-growing trees rather than whole tiny landscapes.

Today we're talking about how to make a cannabis bonsai. Yep, it can be done.

Why grow a cannabis bonsai?

The main reason growers keep cannabis bonsais is to take clones. Since these plants stay small, a cannabis bonsai takes up way less room than a regular mother plant.

A tiny weed tree like this is often the perfect fix if you've got several plants and not much space. These mini specimens are also favorites in big cannabis grows, since a collection of mother "cannabonsais" provides a huge pool of genetics for the whole operation.

That's why keeping several small mother plants for clones is a great way to preserve genetic diversity without relying on seeds.

How to make a cannabis bonsai in 4 steps

Learning how to make a bonsai from scratch isn't complicated. Here's the step-by-step for a cannabis bonsai:

STEP ONE: Prep the container

First, think about the container you're going to use. Since the plant will stay small, you need a pot to match. Drill holes around the rim of the container so you can thread string through them, which you'll later use to tie down the branches into the shape you want. Make sure the holes are big enough for the string you're using.

STEP TWO: Plant the clone

Step two is the transplant. You need a healthy, vigorous clone to grow into your mother plant. Place the cutting off to one side of the container instead of in the middle, the way you would with a regular plant. That helps you shape it and point the branches where you want them. Add a wooden stake to support the main stem. Use string to tie the stake to the stem and to the holes you drilled in the container. Be careful not to damage the roots at this stage.

STEP THREE: Training

Step three is training the branches. Just like the main stem, you'll guide them with string into the shape you're after. Tie the branches down with more tension if you want horizontal growth, and with less tension for vertical growth. Leave some space between branches when you tie them so they can grow freely.

STEP FOUR: Pruning

Pruning is how you limit the number of branches and keep the classic bonsai shape and height. Only prune secondary branches, because cutting the main ones could seriously hurt the plant's health and growth. The final shape is up to you.

How long can you keep a cannabis bonsai alive?

How long to keep bonsai mothers going is a hot topic. On one hand, since these plants stay in the vegetative stage indefinitely, in theory you can keep them as long as they're alive.

Plenty of growers have found that pure indicas wear out sooner and pure sativas last longer. As a rule of thumb, replace indicas every 3 to 4 years, hybrids every 4 to 5 years, and sativas every 5 to 6 years. These timelines aren't set in stone, though; it all depends on the strain and how well you take care of your little weed tree.

Best strains for a cannabis bonsai

The goal of bonsai growing is a healthy, mature plant that grows the way it would in nature, just smaller. So which strains work best for a cannabis bonsai? Here are a few we recommend:

White Widow cannabis bonsai strain

If there's a classic among bonsai weed plants, it's White Widow. With its Dutch roots and its balanced hybrid genetics, this strain delivers an epic mix of indica and sativa effects, which makes it a plant you'll want to keep as a bonsai.

White Widow also packs serious THC, easily topping 20%. Small, potent and seriously cute as a bonsai.

Northern Lights weed bonsai strain

If we're talking legendary sedating effects, Northern Lights is your strain: it'll help you sleep and relax your body. It also has a flavor sweet-tooth fans will love.

Northern Lights is a sturdy, compact plant with slow, tight growth. With deep green color and resin-coated buds, you'll see that when you grow it as a bonsai, your buds come out really chunky.

OG Kush cannabonsai strain

Finally, OG Kush is a hit thanks to its resinous buds and its flavor, a perfect mix of fuel and lemon that makes it a favorite with old-school flavor fans. It hits hard and grows without needing much babysitting.

Now that you know the best strains and how to make a cannabonsai, which one would you grow as a bonsai, and why?

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