Displaying bonsai indoors

A traditional Japanese house has a special place, a small alcove called a tokonoma in Japanese. The tokonoma is one of the integral parts of an aristocratic Japanese home. This space is set aside for displaying a traditional print, a calligraphic inscription or an ikebana arrangement. Placing a bonsai in the tokonoma also became a tradition.

The ideal place to display a bonsai: a separate, almost empty space where nothing distracts from the bonsai and the viewer can fully appreciate its beauty. In the tokonoma, a bonsai is set on a small, specially made wooden stand. Stands come in various sizes and shapes. As a rule, display tables are made specially for showing a bonsai, taking into account the size of the tree and its pot.

Of course, our homes don’t include anything like a tokonoma. So when we decide to bring a bonsai into a room, you should choose a spot where the miniature tree will show well and won’t be “overshadowed” by other household items. First of all, a bonsai should be placed so that the viewer can clearly see its front — the tree’s most attractive side.

If you don’t have special stands, place the bonsai on a table against a wall, or on a shelf. Ideally the wall should be bare: no pictures or decorative objects should be visible behind the bonsai, and don’t put unsuitable objects near it. The height at which the tree is placed is very important. In my opinion, a bonsai looks best at about 1–1.3 meters above the floor. If the bonsai is fairly large, it can be placed lower.