Demanding Bonsai Safe for pets

Fukien Tea Tree

Carmona retusa

A popular bonsai subject, known for its small, glossy leaves, white flowers, and tiny red berries, providing year-round interest.

The essentials at a glance

Watering

Every day
Light

Full sun
Humidity

60–80 %
Temperature

18–28 °C

How to care for your Fukien Tea Tree

Everything you need to keep your Fukien Tea Tree healthy: watering, light, humidity, feeding, repotting and pruning.

The Fukien Tea Tree is a beautiful and challenging bonsai species, prized for its miniature white flowers, small red berries, and fine foliage. It demands stable conditions, bright, indirect light, and high humidity. Consistent watering is critical, as it cannot tolerate drying out or waterlogging. While it requires diligent care, its attractive features make it a rewarding project for dedicated bonsai enthusiasts who appreciate its intricate details.

Watering your Fukien Tea Tree

Every day

Water thoroughly when the surface of the soil just begins to dry, keeping consistently moist but not soggy.

How to know it needs water

Top soil layer feels barely damp
Leaves start to droop

How much light a Fukien Tea Tree needs

Full sun

Bright, indirect light to full sun. Needs consistent light.

Direct sun tolerated: 4 to 8 h a day
Orientations that suit it: South, South-east, South-west, East, West

Humidity and misting

60–80 %

High (60%+) Requires very frequent misting or a humidity tray to prevent leaf drop and thrive indoors.

Feeding and fertiliser

Every 14 days

Fertilize every 2-4 weeks during spring/summer; reduce in winter.

Recommended feed: Balanced liquid bonsai fertilizer, diluted. · 5-10-5

Repotting your Fukien Tea Tree

Every 12 months

Gently remove, prune roots, refresh soil, repot in same or slightly larger pot.

When: Spring
Potting mix: Bonsai mix
Mix in: pumice, pine bark, coarse sand

The tell-tale signs

Roots filling the pot
Water drains very quickly

Pruning your Fukien Tea Tree

Continually to maintain shape and encourage flowering. Pinch new growth; trim branches to shape; wiring can be used for bonsai styling.

Through the year

Watering is not set once and for all: it follows the light and the growth. Allow 2 days between waterings in the depth of winter, against 1 in the growing season.

Active growth · Days between waterings

Good to know

Produces small white flowers and tiny red berries that resemble coffee beans.
Its glossy leaves and fissured bark make it a popular bonsai subject, offering varied textures.

Frequently asked questions about the Fukien Tea Tree

How do you care for a Fukien Tea Tree?

Water it every day. Give it full sun. Ideal humidity: 60–80 %. Ideal temperature: 18–28 °C. Water thoroughly when the surface of the soil just begins to dry, keeping consistently moist but not soggy.

How often should you water a Fukien Tea Tree?

Every day Water thoroughly when the surface of the soil just begins to dry, keeping consistently moist but not soggy. How to know it needs water : Top soil layer feels barely damp ; Leaves start to droop.

How much light does a Fukien Tea Tree need?

Full sun Bright, indirect light to full sun. Needs consistent light. 4 to 8 h a day

Is the Fukien Tea Tree toxic to cats and dogs?

No, the Fukien Tea Tree is not listed as toxic to cats and dogs. That is still no reason to let your pets chew on it.

Why are my Fukien Tea Tree leaves turning yellow?

Yellowing most often comes from too much water: the mix stays wet and the roots suffocate. Check that the pot drains, empty the saucer, and let the mix dry before watering again. Too little light or a cold draught cause the same symptom.

When should you repot a Fukien Tea Tree?

Repot every 12 months, ideally in spring. Gently remove, prune roots, refresh soil, repot in same or slightly larger pot.