According to the Chinese culture, miniature objects are believed to hold mystical and magical powers. That is how miniaturization took place in flora and fauna in 700 AD leading to the art of “pun-sai” that ultimately gave birth to the cultivation of one of the most fascinating plants, Bonsai.
The word Bonsai is a Japanese term which, literally translated, means “planted in a container”. It paved its way from the Chinese horticulture and developed under Japanese Zen Buddhism. There are various types of bonsai like Semi cascade Bonsai style (Han-kengai), Literati Bonsai style (Bunjingi), Multi Trunk Bonsai style (Kabudachi) and so forth.
Bonsai trees have been cultivated for thousands of years, and till date they hold prominence as amazing house plants because of their various health and mental advantages. Here’s what makes bonsai a must-have plant in your home or office space
-
It is A Stress Reliever
Stress has a strong presence in a modern man’s life. Bonsai is known to relax breathing and cures anxiety. Caring for bonsai and tending it everyday will help achieve a great sense of accomplishment by driving away negative thoughts and ill feelings. It is a natural therapy that helps in psychological relaxation. Viewing the miniature landscape, that is bonsai, lends to “forest therapy”, a technique in Japan that gives the effect of walking through the forest.
-
It Takes Very Little Space
Bonsai is a tree in a miniature form and that is what makes it so fascinating. They do not need a lot of space as well. You can place it at the corner of your room or keep it as a centerpiece. Note that the optimal spot for bonsai depends on a lot of factors like the time of the year, climate etc. For an indoor bonsai, it must be kept on a South facing window with lots of light and constant temperature throughout the day. An outdoor bonsai as well, the thumb rule is to place it at a spot with maximum light.
-
It is A Lifelong Friend
If taken care properly, a bonsai can grow very old and live up to hundreds of years, becoming an heirloom passing generation after generation. The biggest factor for the longevity is the care given to the bonsai. The oldest known bonsai in the world is the Sandai-Shogun-no-matsu in the Tokyo Palace collection in Japan and is nearly 500 years old.
-
It Cures Illness
Bonsai is a healing indoor plant that can prove to be therapeutic. It helps balance the humidity and carbon dioxide level. It is a proven fact that indoor plants increase the comfort level at home and reduce the chances of falling sick. Overall, it also accelerated the recovery rate.
-
It Requires Less Care
Bonsai is not a very high maintenance plant. Apart from the basics like sun, water, fertilizer and your attention, bonsai tree will not demand a lot from you and continue to add beauty and life to your home. An important thing to note, however, is that you should never let the soil dry.
-
It Acts As An Air Purifier
Having a bonsai will add a green charm to your space while purifying the air around. The miniature Jade tree is an easy-to-care bonsai effective in carbon absorption. It has minimal watering requirements and is known to absorb carbon from the air more efficiently than many other plants.
-
It Helps Your Brain Exercise
Bonsai helps greatly in giving your brain a good exercise and boosts memory, creativity and awareness. Bonsai is cultivating a living form. So, the cultivator has to be mindful of how to take care of the plant to boost its longevity and aesthetic appeal. It is a beautiful work of art that cannot be practiced if the person is not sensitive, resilient and patient to the living bonsai and is taking a very precise care of its needs as per the season and ambiance it is kept in.
Bonsai tree is perfect to include in your living space or gift someone dear. It holds a lot of meaning and is still a very popular art and not just an aesthetic symbol.