How much sunlight does my Chinese Elm need?

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 🏡.

What type of soil should I use for my Chinese Elm?

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.

Should I fertilize my Chinese Elm?

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!

What is the growth pattern for Chinese Elm?

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

Can Chinese Elm be grown outdoors?

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

How can I propagate my Chinese Elm?

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.

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Chinese Elm

Q: Is Chinese Elm easy to care for?

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!

Q: How often should I water my Chinese Elm?

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.

4.4 out of 5 (14 experiences)

Survivor

Fast grower

Also known as

Chinese Elm Bonsai and Lacebark elm

Taxonomy

Scientific name

Ulmus parvifolia

Genus

Ulmus

Family

Ulmaceae

Order

Rosales

How to care for Chinese Elm

Water

How often to water your Chinese Elm

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.

Water 0.5 cups every
9

Does your plant get direct sunlight?

No Yes

Select the pot size

Light

Check the growing potential in your area

A plant's growing potential is determined from its location, the time of year, and current local weather.

Select a city to check sunlight intensity

Finding light for Chinese Elm in your home

Light needs and placement for plant Chinese Elm: 1ft 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.

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!

Water Needs

Sunlight Needs

Toxicity

Soil

Fertilizer

Growth Pattern

Growing Outdoors

Propagation

Care Summary for 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

Survivor 8

Fast grower 5

Browns easily 5

Easy to propagate 2

Blooms easily 2

Pest magnet 1

@@Samijohanson

92 Plants

2,533 XP

McCall, ID

09/13/2021

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

Fast grower

Survivor

Chinese Elm plant photo by @Samijohanson named Bonsai Chinese Elm on Greg, the plant care app.

@@ellie.caldecott

4 Plants

98 XP

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

Survivor