Basically, any plant that develops a woody stem can be trained as a bonsai. That means you can absolutely grow your own “Good Luck Tree” bonsai or pick one up at a nursery. Just a heads-up, though: you’ll want to be careful when shopping around, because that common name actually refers to two very different plants.
Two Different “Good Luck” Trees
In the gardening world, the name “Good Luck Tree” is used for two species that aren’t even related. We’re talking about:
- The Queensland Bottle Tree (bot. Brachychiton rupestris)
- The Elephant Bush or Dwarf Jade (bot. Portulacaria afra)
Queensland Bottle Tree
The standout feature of the Queensland Bottle Tree is its trunk, which swells at the base to store water. In the bonsai world, this unique “bottle” shape is exactly what makes the Brachychiton rupestris so cool to look at. The top of the plant is finished off with a lush green canopy of leaves.
Elephant Bush or Dwarf Jade
The Dwarf Jade develops a thick trunk with delicate, fine branching. Its leaves are oval, thick, and succulent. When it comes to bonsai styling, this plant is incredibly versatile—you can shape it into various traditional tree forms or even create a miniature forest.
Bonsai Care
Both of these trees are considered “indoor” bonsais. This means they can’t handle a frost and shouldn’t stay outside during the winter. However, they’ll definitely appreciate a summer vacation on your patio or balcony when the weather is warm!
Watering and Fertilizing
Since both plants are experts at storing water, you’ll want to be pretty conservative with the watering can. You don’t want to let them dry out completely, but they definitely don’t like “wet feet.” Make sure to feed them with fertilizer during their active growing season.
Repotting
Plan on moving your trees into a new pot every two to three years. This is also the perfect time to do some root pruning, which is the secret to keeping your trees miniature and healthy.
Pruning
Both species handle pruning really well. In fact, the Dwarf Jade is so forgiving of “oops” moments that it’s a fantastic choice for bonsai beginners. The best time for pruning is in the spring.
Wiring
A quick tip for the Dwarf Jade: because the trunk and branches stay relatively soft, it’s usually better to use guy-wires (tensioning) to shape them rather than wrapping wire directly around the branches.
