Where to Put a Bonsai Tree Indoors: Light, Windows and Drafts

You have unboxed your tree. Now, where to put a bonsai tree so it actually thrives? Placement matters more than almost anything else you do, and it costs nothing to get right.

Start with the brightest spot you have

Light is food for a bonsai. A spot within a few feet of a bright window is ideal. East-facing windows give gentle morning sun, while south and west windows are brighter and may need a sheer curtain in summer so the leaves do not scorch.

Places to avoid

• Directly above a radiator, heater vent or fireplace. Hot, dry air crisps leaves fast.
• Right under an air conditioning vent or next to a drafty door.
• Dark corners, hallways and rooms with no natural light.
• On top of a TV or electronics that give off heat.

Room by room

Living rooms and home offices with good windows are perfect. Kitchens work well thanks to the extra humidity, as long as the tree is away from the stove. Bathrooms are fine only if they have a real window.

No good light? You still have options

If the only free spot is a dim shelf or a windowless office, a living tree will struggle there. That is exactly what our artificial bonsai trees are for. They look great anywhere, in a variety of colors, with no light or water needed. For brighter rooms, take a look at our real bonsai trees.