Plant Care Chinese Elm

Chinese Elm

4.4 out of 5 (14 experiences)

Chinese Elm has a Survivor plant personality Survivor
Chinese Elm has a Fast grower plant personality Fast grower

Also known as

Chinese Elm Bonsai and Lacebark elm

Taxonomy

Ulmus parvifolia
Ulmus
Ulmaceae
Rosales

How to care for Chinese Elm

💦 Water

How often to water your Chinese Elm

Water needs for Chinese Elm
0.5 cups
every 9

Chinese Elm needs 0.5 cups of water every 9 when it doesn’t get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5" pot.

Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Calculate water needs of Chinese Elm

Water 0.5 cups every
9

Does your plant get direct sunlight?

Select the pot size

5"
☀️ Light

Finding light for Chinese Elm in your home

Light needs and placement for plant Chinese Elm: 1ft from a window
1ft or less from
a window

Chinese Elm love being close to bright, sunny windows 😎.

Place it less than 1ft from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.

Chinese Elm does not tolerate low-light 🚫.

Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Chinese Elm in your home 🏡.

🪴 Nutrients

How to fertilize Chinese Elm

Nutrient, fertilizer, and repotting needs for Chinese Elm: repot after 2X growth

Most potting soils come with ample nutrients which plants use to produce new growth.

By the time your plant has depleted the nutrients in its soil it’s likely grown enough to need a larger pot anyway.

To replenish this plant's nutrients, repot your Chinese Elm after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

Browse #ChineseElm
💡 FAQs
⭐ Difficulty Level

Chinese Elm is generally easy to care for, though some plant parents report facing challenges with growing it. Check out the reviews down below to read more about their experiences!

Benefits of Growing Chinese Elm →

Common Chinese Elm Problems →


💦 Water Needs

Chinese Elm prefers for the soil to dry out between waterings and should be watered regularly. Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Chinese Elm Water Frequency →

Chinese Elm Root Rot →


☀️ Sunlight Needs

Chinese Elm requires abundant, bright and direct light. Place it less than one foot from a window to ensure it receives enough light to survive 💪. Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home 🏡.

Chinese Elm Light Requirements →

Chinese Elm Direct Sunlight Needs & Tolerance →


🐶 🐈 👶 Toxicity

Greg does not have confirmed data on this plant’s toxicity. If you, a family member, or a pet consumes plant material of unknown toxicity, it’s always best to consult a medical professional.

If you or someone else ingested this plant, call Poison Control at US (800) 222-1222. If a pet consumed this plant, contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA at US (888) 426-4435.

Chinese Elm Toxicity to Cats →

Chinese Elm Toxicity to Dogs →

Chinese Elm Toxicity to Humans →


🪴 Soil

Chinese Elm is very sensitive to dry soil, so choose a potting soil that retains moisture. A good soil will still drain well and contain lots of organic matter such as coco coir or sphagnum moss.

Best Soil Mix for Chinese Elm →

When and How to Successfully Repot Chinese Elm →


💩 Fertilizer

Chinese Elm grows very slowly and doesn’t require added fertilizer. Replacing your plant’s potting soil once a year should provide them with more than enough nutrition. Remember, plants get their energy from sunlight, not fertilizer!

How Much and When to Fertilize Chinese Elm →


⬆️ ⬇️ Growth Pattern

Chinese Elm grows vertically and new growth will emerge from the top of the plant.

How and When to Prune Chinese Elm →


🌦️ Growing Outdoors

USDA Hardiness Zone
Chinese Elm can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 4a-9b. Find your local hardiness zone here.

Chinese Elm Temperature Tolerance →


🌱 Propagation

The seeds of Chinese Elm can be used to grow new plants! After your plant flowers, any seeds that formed can be collected and germinated in potting soil.

How to Propagate Chinese Elm →


🧐 Troubleshooting

When troubleshooting a sad-looking houseplant, start by checking for signs of distress in its leaves, such as yellowing, browning, or drooping, which can indicate overwatering or nutrient deficiencies.

Inspect the soil moisture; too dry or too wet soil can cause problems.

Ensure the plant is getting the right amount of light, as too much or too little can stress it.

Finally, consider environmental factors like temperature and humidity, and adjust care routines accordingly to revive your plant.


Care Summary for Chinese Elm

Chinese Elm

Chinese Elm


Greg recommends:

Water

0.5 cups every 9 days

Placement

< 1ft from a window

Nutrients

Repot after 2x growth

Based on the 4” pot your plant is in, and that it doesn’t get direct sunlight.

What other plant parents say

Chinese Elm has a Survivor plant personality Survivor 8
Chinese Elm has a Fast grower plant personality Fast grower 5
Chinese Elm has a Browns easily plant personality Browns easily 5
Chinese Elm has a Easy to propagate plant personality Easy to propagate 2
Chinese Elm has a Blooms easily plant personality Blooms easily 2
Chinese Elm has a Pest magnet plant personality Pest magnet 1
@Samijohanson avatar
@@Samijohanson
leaf-1 92 Plants
xp 2,533 XP
globe McCall, ID
09/13/2021

Water every other day like Brussels bonsai recommends. You’ll have a happy healthy bonsai

Fast grower Fast grower
Survivor Survivor
@ellie.caldecott avatar
@@ellie.caldecott
leaf-1 4 Plants
xp 98 XP
globe Calne, England
05/18/2021

I love my bonsai! The only issues i’ve had with this plant is sunlight, I find that it doesn’t like TOO much direct sun but keeping it in a north facing window isn’t enough sun. Overall though it’s been quite easy so far!

Browns easily Browns easily
Survivor Survivor
@nlischke avatar
@@nlischke
leaf-1 7 Plants
xp 383 XP
globe Washington, DC
04/14/2021

But honestly is still easy to fix

Browns easily Browns easily
@Cmmnsnse avatar
@@Cmmnsnse
leaf-1 21 Plants
xp 639 XP
globe Pinellas Park, FL
04/08/2021

Beautiful and unique, Dave is easy to care for and has calming effects on me.

Survivor Survivor

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