My bonsai looks dead. What should I do?

If you’ve reached this post because you’re concerned about the health of your bonsai tree, then you’ve come to the right place.
Firstly, don’t fret that your bonsai is dead. It might not be, but may look like it because it’s lost all its leaves.

There’s a very simple test which can quickly help you determine whether your bonsai is actually dead.
Just beneath the bark is a layer in all plants called the cambium layer. If it is green, it indicates that the tree is alive.
By scratching back the top layer of bark – with just a fingernail and not too heavily – the cambium layer should be visible. Of course, if it’s not there, your tree is most definitely dead.

Don’t be disheartened though. Bonsai care can be a magical thing, and we want you to feel it’s a pleasure and not a trial. Why not click here to help you choose another bonsai, that might be more suited to your environment or tastes.
Please note that we are not able to refund or replace a bonsai after 7 days of delivery.

My Bonsai looks dead? Check the simple things!

If you’ve checked the cambium layer, and it’s green, that’s good news and it’s still alive.
The next step is to check the fundamentals of looking after your tree and its environment.

Sometimes the simplest things can be at the root of your bonsai problems, and with just a few changes, you might be able to bring your bonsai back. So check how you’re watering your bonsai; not under or over-watering. Both can have similar symptoms. 90% of bonsai problems are due to the watering, so, chances are, you have a watering issue.

Check the environment of your tree. We get many enquiries about the health of people’s bonsai, and many cases result in one of the solutions simply being to move the tree into more light, or a slightly warmer area of a house.