Chinese Sweet Plum Bonsai Tree – Sageretia theezans

• Pretty purple fruits
• Easy to care for
• Quick and fun to grow
• Easy to style
• Perfect for beginners
• Red-tinged new foliage

The Chinese Sweet Plum (Sageretia theezans) is a pretty indoor bonsai which has great character at an early age due to the flaky bark revealing tones of red/tan. The stunning foliage has hints of rusty red turning to glossy green. Small white flowers give rise to tiny purple plum-shaped fruits.
A really pretty bonsai. Ideal for beginners with fabulous character.

The striking colours of the Sageretia theezans bonsai are one of the key features. It has small, glossy, oval-shaped leaves that vary in shades of green, giving it a fresh and vibrant look. Often the new leaves in spring and autumn months are flush with red tinges. It looks stunning. This is a compact bonsai with very neat habit. The trunk can develop a lovely textured flaky bark and aged appearance over time. It is an elegant species which is highly suitable for growing indoors.

Tree meanings

Bonsai in general symbolise peace, harmony, order of thoughts and balance.
This bonsai symbolises protection, health and wishes.
Wonderfully signifies new life, renewal and creativity.

A Beautiful Eco Friendly Gift Idea – Sustainable & Natural Gift for Birthday, Anniversaries, Christmas, Thank You’s and Get Well Soon Presents

A your looking for a special gift? Perhaps a gift for your wife’s birthday or anniversary presents for him? Bonsai trees make a cherished gift idea. A natural green gift which is environmental friendly. A joy to nurture and fun to grow. The make a superb feature in your home and it is wonderful to bring a little nature into your kitchen or living room. A Sageretia bonsai is a stylish gift tree which is beautifully proportioned. It would be ideal for those seeking a very special present, maybe something a little different.

Chinese Sweet Plum (Sageretia theezans) Bonsai Care Summary

Positioning & Temperature

The Chinese Sweet Plum is an easy indoor bonsai species to care for. It likes a bright position, with good natural daylight, but as with all bonsai, should not be placed in a very hot position in mid-summer. It is not fussy about temperature, but it is not frost hardy so would not be suitable to grow as an outdoor bonsai during the winter months.

Watering

Watering is a lovely and essential part of bonsai tree care. It is a simple, yet vital part of growing bonsai and only takes a few seconds. We recommend whilst you are learning to check the soil daily. If the soil is wet or very damp, please do not water your bonsai. When the soil starts to firm and feels barely damp to the touch, water well by either standing the bonsai in water for a few minutes or by pouring water over the soil surface to re-wet the root ball evenly.

Misting

Misting the leaves of your Chinese Sweet Plum is not essential, but does enhance the growth during winter months in particular. In the winter, when the central heating is on, the air can get very dry and misting will simply replace some of the lost humidity and encourage new foliage growth.

Feeding

Feeding bonsai trees is good practice. The bonsai rely on us to provide the nutrients and trace elements they need. A well balanced bonsai feed, such as Bonsai Direct Fertiliser, will maintain healthy and beautiful trees and promote growth, fruiting and flowering.

Pruning/Styling

The Sweet Plum Bonsai is a relatively fast growing bonsai variety and is fun to prune and style. The new shoots are often flecked with russet tones which really does make it look very pretty. To maintain the lovely highly defined foliage pads and pretty canopy it is important not to let the shoots grow too long and straggly. By keeping the shoots trimmed, you will be encouraging back budding and new leaves to grow. Most new growth will appear during spring or summer. Allow a shoot to grow approx. 4cm and then prune back to the first two new leaves. Use a sharp pair of bonsai pruning scissors to do this. Within 4-6 weeks you can usually see signs of new shoots emerging further back down the branches, it is very rewarding.
If you would like to try some re-styling you could try some wiring techniques. Generally, wiring is used to give a branch or slender trunk more character and shape.

Growing/Propagating your own Sageretia theezans bonsai tree

We are frequently asked for bonsai seed kits but the reality is that thee kits are rather a disappointed. They frequently don’t germinate and it is not the best way to propagate indoor bonsai trees. You are far better to purchase a bonsai, so you can enjoy growing it, and propagate new bonsai by taking cuttings.
These are best taken in spring. Allow new shoots to grow 8-10cm and then prune with clean pruning scissors. Pop these cuttings into some fresh multipurpose compost in a small pot. Water them and then keep misting to maintain humidity.

Re-potting your bonsai

If a bonsai becomes pot bound the roots cannot grow. Consequently, the tree cannot grow. The younger the tree the quicker it is growing and the more frequently it will require root pruning or re-potting. As a general rule you are looking at approximately every 2-3 years, and older specimens every 4-5 years. If the pot that your bonsai is in is aesthetically large enough, you may simply be able to root prune your bonsai and it may not require a larger pot at all.

Re-potting is best done when the bonsai is actively growing during the warmer summer months. If the bonsai requires a larger pot, simply lift the root ball out of the current pot, tease out approximately one quarter of the root ball with a chop stick to loosen the roots around the edge and position into its new, slightly larger, pot. Use good quality, free draining soil, such as Akadama, and work around the edge of the pot. Stand your re-potted bonsai in water, so that the water covers the whole pot, for approximately 5 mins and then allow to drain.

Akadama is a high quality Japanese bonsai soil made from dried loam. It is granular, so is free flowing and easy and clean to work with. The small balls also encourage the growth of lovely fibrous feeder roots, which is what we want when growing bonsai trees.

Bonsai tips

Please avoid using air freshener near your bonsai, they are not overly keen!
Sweet Plum (Sageretia theezans) bonsai trees respond well to the use of a Plant Invigorator to help keep the free from pests and help promote new growth. We use this weekly as a preventive measure.

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Video Introduction:

In this video, Lloyd Noall, bonsai master at Bonsai Direct, takes us through the beauty, care, and charm of the Chinese Sweet Plum bonsai—also known as Sageretia theezans. Known for its colourful foliage, rapid growth, and forgiving nature, this indoor species is ideal for beginners and experts alike.

Lloyd shares hands-on advice on shaping, pruning, watering, and cleaning—plus tips on making the most of its vivid colours and characterful bark. Whether you’re just starting out or growing your collection, this video is full of useful guidance and visual inspiration.

What Makes the Chinese Sweet Plum (Sageretia theezans) a Great Indoor Bonsai?

The Chinese Sweet Plum is a firm favourite in the world of indoor bonsai. Its small, glossy green leaves, which often take on reddish tones in spring and autumn, give it vibrant, year-round interest. It’s also incredibly easy to care for, responding well to pruning and quickly bouncing back with fresh new shoots.

Lloyd explains how this tree is great for bonsai beginners because there’s always something to do—whether it’s light trimming, shaping new pads, or simply enjoying the changing foliage. As he works through different specimens, he demonstrates how to manage overlapping branches and maintain a clean silhouette.

Pruning Techniques and Managing New Growth

Pruning is essential to keeping your Sweet Plum looking its best. Lloyd takes us through a simple maintenance prune, showing how to trim soft new shoots, tidy up the underside of foliage pads, and identify any criss-crossing or unwanted growth.

He highlights how the tree responds beautifully to being cut back, producing new buds frequently and helping to refine structure over time. You’ll also see how to manage branch direction and spacing to preserve light and airflow throughout the canopy.

Small details like removing yellowing leaves or pruning just above a bud can make a huge difference to the health and aesthetic of your tree.

Ideal Positioning for Indoor Success

Although it’s a tropical species, the Chinese Sweet Plum isn’t fussy. Lloyd explains that while it’s classed as an indoor bonsai in the UK, it can happily live outdoors during warm months—so long as it’s kept sheltered and out of direct, strong winds.

When indoors, the key is placing it in a bright location with indirect sunlight. Lloyd shares helpful tips on avoiding harsh, south-facing windows in summer, and why east or west-facing spots are ideal. The main goal is to provide good natural light without risking dry-out or leaf scorch.

Bark Cleaning and Enhancing Trunk Character

One of the Sweet Plum’s underrated features is its beautiful bark, which develops subtle mottling and layers of colouras the tree ages. Lloyd shows how to clean the trunk gently using a toothbrush and fresh water—removing algae and revealing the rich reddish-brown tones beneath.

As he works through a few specimens, we see how these little acts of maintenance help highlight trunk movement, surface roots, and the tree’s overall maturity. It’s a simple technique that can dramatically boost your bonsai’s visual appeal.

Watering: The Most Important Part of Bonsai Care

Watering is a vital routine for any bonsai enthusiast. Lloyd stresses that the root ball must never dry out completely. He shares his go-to test: when the soil feels just damp—like a well-wrung cloth—it’s time to water again.

He demonstrates how to water evenly, allowing moisture to soak through the root zone and drain freely from the base. A drip tray is essential for indoor trees, and watching the water slowly emerge from the pot’s drainage holes is both relaxing and informative.

Feeding, Misting & Boosting Plant Health

To support healthy growth, Lloyd recommends weekly feeding with a quality bonsai fertiliser. He uses Bonsai Direct’s in-house blend and simply adds a small amount to his watering routine.

He also shows how misting can help in dry indoor conditions—especially during winter heating. A regular spritz with clean water mimics natural dew and keeps foliage hydrated. To go one step further, he uses a bonsai mist spray, which not only nourishes leaves but helps deter pests like greenfly.

Recap: Why the Sageretia theezans Bonsai is Perfect for Beginners

The Sweet Plum is fast-growing, forgiving, and full of personality. Lloyd praises its adaptability—it suits many bonsai styles (informal upright, group planting, and more) and offers plenty of hands-on tasks for learners. From its layered foliage colours to its textured bark and even tiny fruit, it’s a tree that grows with you.

He reminds us not to worry too much about mistakes: the tree is resilient, and the joy comes from watching it evolve over time. With proper care and a bit of shaping, this species can become a lifelong favourite.

Final Thoughts & What’s Coming Next

Lloyd ends the session with a preview of the next video, where he’ll work on a newly styled Sweet Plum—covering repotting, further shaping, and more tips for development. If you’ve enjoyed this video and want to follow along, make sure to subscribe and hit the notification bell so you don’t miss what’s next.