Frequently Asked Questions About Bonsai Plants
Abana Homes is an Indian bonsai nursery and online plant store that has grown bonsai since 2011 and served over 3,00,000 customers. Orders are packed in ventilated corrugated boxes, dispatched on the next working day and usually delivered in 2-5 business days after dispatch across India. Live plants can be returned only if they arrive damaged.
Quick facts
| Detail | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Who we are | Abana Homes, an Indian bonsai nursery and online plant store; growing bonsai since 2011, registered as a company in 2018; founded by Vinni Balyan, who has grown bonsai since 2007 |
| What we sell | Imported and home-grown bonsai and indoor plants, plus pots and accessories |
| Free shipping | On orders over Rs 999 |
| Dispatch and delivery | Dispatched within 2 working days; usually delivered within 2-5 business days after dispatch (see Returns and Shipping policy) |
| Returns on live plants | Live plants can be returned only if they arrive damaged; photograph the parcel and plant on arrival |
| Nursery address | B-243, Sector 2, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh 201306 |
| Nursery hours | 8 am to 8 pm |
| Contact | WhatsApp or call +91 93155 69090, email shop@abanahomes.com, or use the contact page |
How buying a live bonsai online works
- Choose a species that suits your light. Ficus and Carmona cope with a bright indoor window; Chinese elm, juniper and most flowering bonsai do far better on a balcony or terrace.
- Place the order. Shipping is free over Rs 999.
- We prepare the plant. Each plant is hand-picked, checked, watered and settled before packing so it travels in good condition.
- Packing. The pot and root ball are secured in a corrugated box with foam blocks and ventilation so the tree does not shift in transit.
- Delivery. Orders leave the nursery on the next working day and usually reach you within 2-5 business days after dispatch.
- Unbox the same day. Open the parcel, remove all packing material, place the tree in bright, airy shade and water it thoroughly. If anything has arrived damaged, message us with photos straight away.
Browse the full range of bonsai plants, indoor bonsai, outdoor bonsai and ceramic pots.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which bonsai plant is best for an Indian home?
Ficus is the easiest choice for most Indian homes, followed by Carmona (Fukien tea) and Chinese elm. Ficus tolerates heat, low humidity and occasional neglect. Banyan bonsai is beautiful but demanding, so start with a Ficus or Chinese banyan if you are new.
Which bonsai is best for beginners?
Chinese elm and Ficus are the most forgiving. Both recover well from mistakes and respond predictably to pruning. Flowering and fruiting bonsai are not "unnatural" bonsai, but they need more direct sun, feeding and attention, so keep them for your second or third tree.
How often should I water a bonsai?
Water when the top 1-2 cm of soil feels dry, not on a fixed calendar. Water slowly until it runs from the drainage holes. In an Indian summer that often means daily, and twice daily on a hot west-facing balcony; every two to three days in winter.
How does watering change in the monsoon?
Water much less. Bonsai in shallow pots rot quickly if the mix stays wet, so move trees under cover during heavy rain, check that drainage holes are clear, and water only when the topsoil is dry. Cool, humid Indian monsoon weeks may need watering just twice a week.
Where should I place a bonsai at home?
Give it the brightest spot you have: an east or south-facing window, balcony edge or terrace, with protection from harsh afternoon sun in April to June. In feng shui the south-east corner or a south-facing window is considered auspicious, but light and airflow matter far more to the tree's health.
Can a bonsai live indoors?
Tropical species such as Ficus, Carmona and Pachira can live indoors beside a bright window. Chinese elm, juniper, pine and most flowering bonsai are outdoor trees and decline in dim rooms. Keep any indoor bonsai away from direct AC airflow, and move it outdoors for a few hours whenever you can.
Why does a bonsai stay small?
Regular pruning of shoots and roots, pinching, wiring and growing in a shallow container keep the tree miniature, not the pot alone. "Bon-sai" means a tree planted in a tray. Genetically it is a full-size tree, so it needs that trimming every year to keep its proportions.
My bonsai is dying. How do I revive it?
First diagnose the cause: soggy soil and black roots mean overwatering, crisp brown leaves mean drying out, and leaf drop after delivery is usually shock. Move it to bright indirect light, correct the watering, remove dead twigs, and do not repot or feed a stressed tree.
How do I create a greenhouse effect for a bonsai?
Build a small tent of translucent plastic over the tree so light passes through, water the soil well, and leave it in bright shade. This raises humidity and warmth during dry north Indian winters. Never place it in direct sun inside the tent, and open it daily for airflow.
Should I fertilise a weak bonsai?
No. Feed only once the tree is actively pushing new growth. Then use a balanced fertiliser such as NPK 19:19:19 at about 2 g per litre of water, applied to damp soil roughly once a fortnight in the growing season. Fertiliser feeds the plant; it does not warm it.
Is it safe to buy a bonsai online?
Yes. Small bonsai up to about 30 cm travel well when packed correctly. We sell imported and home-grown plants, pack each tree so the pot cannot move, and deliver across India. Choose a species suited to your city's climate, and message us first if you are unsure.
Will my bonsai be safe during transit?
In most cases, yes. Since 2011 we have supplied bonsai to over 3,00,000 customers, and every tree is packed to survive road transport. Delivery usually takes 2-5 business days after dispatch. Unbox the parcel the day it arrives and water the tree straight away.
How do you prepare live plants for shipping?
Each plant is hand-picked and inspected, watered and allowed to drain, and the soil surface is secured so it does not spill. Loose or damaged foliage is trimmed, and the root ball is wrapped to hold moisture through the journey.
How do you pack live plants for safe delivery?
The pot sits inside a corrugated box, braced with foam blocks so the tree cannot shift even if the carton is turned over. The packing is ventilated so the foliage does not sweat. Fragile ceramic pots get extra cushioning.
What should I do when the plant is delivered?
Remove all packaging the same day, check the pot and foliage, and place the tree in bright, airy shade rather than direct sun. Water thoroughly until it drains. Expect a few yellow leaves after transit. Follow the care notes on the product page and our A-Z bonsai care guide.
Is there a guarantee or warranty on the plants?
Plants are healthy and true to name when they leave the nursery, but living plants carry no warranty against later care. Live plants can be returned only if they arrive damaged, so photograph the parcel on opening and contact us immediately. Full details are on the Returns page.
I have no experience with plants. Can I still keep a bonsai?
Yes, with one habit: check the soil daily and water when the surface is dry. Bonsai are low-fuss rather than no-maintenance, as shallow pots dry out fast. Start with Ficus, read our bonsai care guide, and message us on WhatsApp whenever something looks wrong.
How do I care for a Carmona (Fukien tea) bonsai?
Carmona has small glossy leaves, small white flowers and reddish-brown bark. It wants the brightest window you have, steady humidity and soil kept just moist, never soggy. It dislikes cold draughts and dry AC air, so use a humidity tray. See the Carmona care guide.
How do I care for a Chinese elm bonsai?
Chinese elm (Ulmus parvifolia) has fine toothed leaves, corky grey-brown bark and a very predictable growth pattern, which makes it ideal for training. Grow it outdoors or on a bright balcony, water when the topsoil dries and prune new shoots back to two leaves. Read the Chinese elm care guide.
How do I care for an S-shaped Ficus bonsai?
The S-curve trunk is trained when young and needs only light maintenance pruning. Give bright indirect light, water when the top layer dries, and mist in dry weather to encourage aerial roots. Ficus sap is an irritant and is listed as toxic to cats and dogs, so place it out of reach.
How do I care for a grafted Ficus ginseng bonsai?
Ficus ginseng is a swollen-rooted Ficus microcarpa with a smaller-leaved variety grafted on top, which is why the foliage looks compact. It is among the toughest indoor bonsai: bright light, water when the surface dries, and pinch new shoots. Details in the Ficus care guide.
How do I care for a Pachira (money tree) bonsai?
Pachira aquatica has a braided or thickened trunk and five-fingered leaves that feng shui links to the five elements. Give bright indirect light, let the top third of the soil dry before watering, and avoid cold. The ASPCA does not list it as toxic to cats or dogs. See the Pachira care guide.
How do I care for a jade bonsai?
Jade (Crassula ovata) is a succulent, so water deeply then let the soil dry out completely; overwatering is the main killer. It needs several hours of sun and gritty, free-draining mix. It is often called money or friendship plant, and the ASPCA lists it as toxic to cats and dogs. See the jade care guide.
Do bonsai and indoor plants clean the air?
Not measurably. The 1989 NASA study that started this claim used small sealed chambers, not homes, and later reviews found potted plants have little effect on room air compared with ordinary ventilation. Keep plants for beauty, calm and focus, and open a window for fresh air.
Which plant should I give as a gift?
Choose by the recipient's light, not only looks. A Ficus or jade suits someone who travels or forgets to water; Carmona suits a plant lover with a bright window; a money tree is a popular housewarming gift. Compare options in indoor plants and bonsai.
How do I contact Abana Homes?
WhatsApp or call +91 93155 69090, email shop@abanahomes.com, or use the contact page. The nursery at B-243, Sector 2, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh 201306 is open 8 am to 8 pm, and we help with care, placement and repotting after your purchase.