Care guide for the Ligustrum Bonsai tree (Privet)

The Ligustrum (Privet) botanical family consists of many subspecies and cultivars (>50) with a diversity of leaf colors and forms. The Ligustrum is often used for hedging, which can be a source of great (thick trunked) Bonsai material. The tree is very strong and makes for a popular beginner’s Bonsai. The most common species of privet include the Ovalifoliu (oval leaved), Sinense (Sinensus), Japonicum, Lucidum and the Vulgare (common privet).

Position: The privet prefers a bright position, with direct sunlight at least part of the day. Although the Ligustrum is an outdoor species (it only needs some protection when temperatures drop below -10 degrees C (14F)), it is also sold as indoor tree (in this case the tree should be placed inside during the winter).

Watering: Normal watering is fine.

Feeding: Use a normal Bonsai fertilizer about once every three weeks during the growth season.

Pruning: Style the tree in early spring, before it starts growing. Normal maintenance pruning can be done anywhere in the growth season.

Repotting: Repot the three every one or two years using a basic Bonsai soil mixture.

Propagation: Use cuttings during the summer or plant seeds.

Example of a Ligustrum (Privet) bonsai tree:

More information
For tree identification see the Bonsai care forum. General guidelines can be found in our Bonsai care section.