Bonsai, the art of cultivating miniature trees in containers, has captivated enthusiasts worldwide. While many traditional bonsai species originate from Asia, Africa boasts a diverse range of unique trees that are well-suited for this art form. Let's explore some remarkable African bonsai tree species and how to care for them.
Trichodiadema: The African Bonsai
The African Bonsai, scientifically known as Trichodiadema bulbosum, is a collector's plant that displays an excellent caudex. This South African native is true to its bonsai nickname with a distinct, trunk-like caudex and many leafy branches.
It is easily confused for a cactus because its leaves are topped with gentle, white bristles. It is, however, an ice plant and has characteristically glittery, textured and compact foliage. Similar to its cousin Trichodiadema densum, but it grows longer branches, and a more attractive rootstock. The plant stays under about 5.0" in height. Mature plants grow a wide caudex.
When planted high in the soil with some exposed root, it makes an impressive bonsai plant.The wiry, dense branches of this plant will form a low shrub structure and blossom with brilliant pink-petaled flowers during a long growing period from spring to autumn.
Traditionally, the roots of Trichodiadema species have been used to speed the fermentation of bread and beer. They are said to contain either yeast or sugars that boost fermentation processes.
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Care Tips for Trichodiadema
- Light: African Bonsai does best in filtered sun, 4 to 5 hours a day. Avoid intense afternoon sun by sheltering this plant beneath the limbs of a larger plant or placing it in the shadow of a sheer curtain.
- Temperature: Trichodiadema bulbosum prefers warm temperatures in the 70s and 80s.
- Watering: Native to arid and sub-tropical climates, Trichodiadema bulbosum are drought tolerant plants. Water when the soil dries out in the summer and only infrequently during the winter. When the plant is actively flowering, give it a little more water.
- Soil: These plants prefer a sandy, sharply draining mix. Cacti or succulent potting mix is great.
- Fertilizer: These plants do not require fertilizer though it can be added to give container grown plants a boost or to supplement poor soil.
- Repotting: This plant loves to be rootbound in a pot. Once planted, they will be happy in the same pot for several years. To replenish this plant's nutrients, repot your African Bonsai after it doubles in size or once a year-whichever comes first.
Trichodiadema bulbosum produce pink flowers with yellow centers most often during the spring and summer time.
Trichodiadema bulbosum can be propagated from stem cuttings. The best time to do this is late spring or early summer.Also, Trichodiadema bulbosum are not prone to pests. Though not super common, they are more likely to fall victim to bacterial or fungal infections. Root rot can also be a concern and is triggered by overwatering.
Trichodiadema Mix Varieties
Several varieties of Trichodiadema, including stellatum, densum, and marlothii, are popular among bonsai enthusiasts.
Trichodiadema Densum
Trichodiadema densum is not a cactus but could be mistaken for one; its leaves are succulent and end in a circle of stiff hairs, giving the plant a similar appearance to some species in the cactus genus Mammillaria. It is a compact, mat-forming perennial short shrub, up to 4 inches (10 cm) high, with woody stems and thick fleshy roots. The green succulent leaves are up to 0.8 inch (2 cm) long and each tipped with a crown of white hairs. The daisy-like flowers are vivid carmine pink up to 2 inches (5 cm) in diameter, opening in the morning and closing later in the day.
Mesembs require a loam-based compost with the addition of extra drainage material such as horticultural grit or perlite. They all like good light conditions and plenty of ventilation. Some are relatively cold-hardy and can even survive mild winters outside. Most will survive temperatures down to freezing point. There are some Mesembs which begin to grow in the autumn as the temperature drops and the days get shorter. Examples are Conophytum, Manilaria and Mitrophyllum.
Because different genera within the Mesemb family have different growing conditions, care mast be taken with watering. Some genera will benefit from a light spray water to prevent shrivelling during their dormant period. The basics of Mesemb care are very simple, with free-draining soil, plenty of sun and ventilation, and regular light watering in the right season.
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African Bonsai thrives in dry soil and should be watered sparingly. African Bonsai requires abundant, bright and direct light. Place it less than one foot from a window to ensure it receives enough light to survive 💪. African Bonsai is not known to cause harm to humans or pets. African Bonsai can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 9a-11b.
Overwatering is a likely cause of issues with African Bonsai. Cut your plant just past where the rot ends and allow it to callus over for a few days before replanting it in fresh, dry soil.
Portulacaria Afra: Elephant Bush
Here is a tree that goes by many names. Portulacaria afra is a shrubby succulent native to South Africa, where it’s called elephant bush, porkbush, and spekboom in Afrikaans. The fast growing foliage is an important source of food for local elephants, and as the animals graze, they inadvertently propagate the plant by spreading cuttings that root into the soil. The leaves are edible to us humans, too; they’re faintly sour and crunchy, like a dialed-down granny smith apple.
Portulacaria afra enjoys a reputation as a bulletproof houseplant that can survive all kinds of abuse and neglect. For the same reason it’s commonly recommended as a bonsai for beginners. Technically, Portulacaria afra isn’t a tree. It grows into a woody plant but doesn’t produce actual wood. You won’t see growth rings when you chop the trunk, and the bark is little more than a corky rind.
However it has many good attributes for bonsai. The leaves are naturally small and grow in dense patches. If you cut a branch just above a node, it will reliably split into two smaller branches pointed in the directions of the terminal leaves. Portulacaria afra responds well to drastic pruning; consider its mutualistic relationship with the grazing elephants.
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Spekboom is adapted to long periods of drought under the blazing South African sun. It stores water in its pudgy leaves and is capable of vigorous growth even in bone dry soil. So unlike most bonsai, which require religious attentiveness to their water needs, this species thrives on negligence. Give it sufficient light and you can forget about it for days-maybe weeks-at a time.
Pretty good, for the supermarket. I combed out the nursery soil with my fingers and a length of copper wire. Take care with them, as they’re delicate and break easily-the roots, not my fingers, though you shouldn’t get any ideas.
Portulacaria afra doesn’t tolerate temperatures below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. You can grow it outdoors on warm days and bring it inside before nighttime temperatures dip into the 40s. Or you can grow it indoors year round. Mine will live with my tropical trees, indoors 24/7 under powerful lights.
The more light you can give this species, the better. Remember, it’s adapted to scorching bushlands. If you keep it as a houseplant in a dim corner, it will survive, but it won’t grow sufficiently to train with bonsai techniques. However I see this as a plus for beginners, who like to see and spend time with their first bonsai in their daily lives around their homes. You can’t do that with a juniper or maple. An elephant bush, though, you can hang with and study for months.
I filled it halfway with granular bonsai mix and then spread the roots out radially. I poked wire through the bottom of the pot to anchor the roots in place. Then more bonsai mix, poking with my length of wire to fill in any air gaps.
All I needed to do was thin out the canopy and wire some lower branches. All of these cuttings could be rooted into new trees, but that’s one step away from feeding gremlins after midnight. Soon I’d be overwhelmed with a spekboom veld of my own making, like this Youtuber.
Two weeks later, the tree is pushing new growth. If this is how it behaves when recovering from transplant shock, I expect it to grow wild when it’s healthy.
Some bonsai people don’t consider spekboom to be “real” bonsai, and I get it. Even mature specimens retain the segmented, wormy look on their trunks. I see a cartoonish, surreal quality in the rigid leaves and stems, as if they were made for a Lego play set.
Other African Bonsai Species
Besides Trichodiadema and Portulacaria afra, several other African tree species are suitable for bonsai cultivation:
- Baobab (Adansonia): The Baobab always needs a warm environment and is very sensitive to cold temperatures. It must be taken into the house as soon as the temperatures fall below 12° C / 54° F. Baobabs can store water in their trunks and only need to be watered about once a month during the growing season. When they are dormant, don't water them at all. Too much watering can cause root rot and kill the tree.
- Dwarf Black Olive (Bucida spinosa): The Dwarf Black Olive bonsai-(Bucida spinosa)-is a tropical broadleaf evergreen native to the coastal regions of the Bahamas, Cuba, and southern Florida. Despite its name, it is not a true olive (Olea) and produces no fruit. What it offers instead is a highly architectural structure: contorted, zigzagging branches with tight, refined foliage arranged in flattened whorls. In nature, this species can grow up to 40-50 feet, but as a bonsai, it expresses its character through dramatic taper, horizontal branching, and heavily textured bark.
Here is a summary table of the main African Bonsai species and their characteristics:
| Species | Common Name | Origin | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trichodiadema bulbosum | African Bonsai | South Africa | Caudex, white bristles on leaves, pink flowers |
| Portulacaria afra | Elephant Bush | South Africa | Small leaves, drought-tolerant, edible leaves |
| Adansonia | Baobab | Africa | Thick trunk, drought-resistant, unique shape |
| Bucida spinosa | Dwarf Black Olive | Bahamas, Cuba, Florida | Contorted branches, evergreen, architectural structure |
