Bonsai Humidity Trays -Everything You Need To Know

A bonsai tree, like all plants, requires humidity to thrive. A lack of humidity can kill a bonsai tree, so it’s important to make sure your home has the right amount of humidity. 

If you have a bonsai that is struggling with low humidity levels, don’t give up. There are a few easy ways to increase the humidity in your bonsai environment. One of the simplest is using a humidity tray.

What is a Bonsai humidity tray?

A humidity tray is simply a tray filled with water that sits under your bonsai tree. It is meant to hold water and/or a pebble or charcoal reservoir. 

The water in the tray creates a humid environment around a potted plant and is especially beneficial for bonsai trees. It also helps to prevent moisture from being lost through the potting soil and can help avoid spillage.

Why do you need humidity trays?

A humidity tray is an important tool for keeping the health of your plants. It helps to increase the humidity around the plants, which is especially important for bonsai trees. By adding water to the tray, you can also help to create a moist environment that will help your plants thrive.

One of the main benefits of using a bonsai humidity tray is that it helps to prevent the soil from drying out too quickly. This is important because if the soil dries out too much, it can damage the roots of your plants and stunt their growth.

In addition to keeping the soil moist, a humidity tray can also help to increase the air moisture around your plants. This is especially beneficial during the winter when the air is typically dryer. By increasing the humidity levels around your plants, you can help them stay healthy and look their best.

A humidity tray is a great investment for your bonsai tree and other houseplants. Not only does it help to maintain the correct humidity level for your plants, but it can also help to protect their health.

How to choose a Bonsai humidity tray

When looking to buy a humidity tray for your bonsai, there are a few things you should consider. 

The size of the tray is important, as you want to make sure it’s large enough to fit your tree and pot. 

The material the tray is made from is also important, as you want something that will be able to hold water without leaking. 

bonsai humidity trays

Finally, the price of the tray can vary depending on the quality and size you choose.

There are many different types of humidity trays available, so you can find one that best suits your needs. Some trays come with built-in drip trays to catch any excess water, while others have elevated bottoms to help keep your plant’s roots wet.

Check out some of the best bonsai humidity trays in the market.

Picking the right size tray

When you are choosing a humidity tray for bonsai, the size of the pot that you are using is important to consider. 

If your bonsai pot is too large for the humidity tray, the excess water will not be able to evaporate and it will stay in the tray, which can lead to over-watering and root rot. 

On the other hand, if your pot is too small for the humidity tray, the water will evaporate quickly and your plant may not get enough moisture. 

The best way to determine the size of the humidity tray you need is to measure the diameter of your pot and then find a tray that is at least one inch wider than the pot. This will give the soil enough space to absorb moisture from the tray and keep your bonsai healthy.

Pour in your material of choice

One of the great things about a bonsai humidity tray is that you can use all sorts of materials to create different effects. If you’re looking to create a rustic feel, try using pebbles or small stones. Simply pour them into the tray. 

You can also experiment with other materials like sea glass, shells, or even rocks from your backyard. The possibilities are endless!

How to use a humidity tray

The tray is simply a shallow dish filled with water and set under the bonsai pot. As the water evaporates, it will increase the humidity around the tree. This is especially helpful in winter when the air is dry.

To use a humidity tray, simply fill the tray with water and place your bonsai pot in the tray. The pot will sit in the water and the water will rise up around the pot, creating humidity. Make sure to keep an eye on the water level in the tray and refill as needed.

A humidity tray can be especially important during the winter months when the air is dryer. Humidity trays can also help to prevent the browning of the leaves and keep your tree healthy.

Do I still need to water the bonsai?

Some people believe that humidity trays can replace the normal watering process in bonsai, but this is not always the case. The amount of water that a tree need depends on a variety of factors, such as the size and type of tree, the climate, and the soil mix. 

You can’t use a humidity tray as the sole method of watering the bonsai tree because it does not provide the tree with enough water. The tray can be used to help maintain the humidity around the tree, but the plant should also be watered regularly using a watering can or other means. 

Ideally, you should deeply saturate your bonsai tree, and allow the excess to drain into the humidity tray.

Conclusion: 

If you’re a bonsai enthusiast, you know the importance of humidity when it comes to keeping your plants healthy. While there are many ways to increase the humidity around your plants, adding a humidity tray to your bonsai care regimen is probably the easiest way to prevent your tree from dying from a lack of humidity. 

I hope this post was helpful to you. Please feel free to share the information with others too.