Bonsai 

Some consider it a work of art or a great indoor gardening project. Bonsai plants with their unique shapes and sometimes miniature sizes are fun to grow. Most of your guests will marvel at the plant and be prepared to answer tons of questions short of an interrogation. The plant elicits curiosity with an intense desire to know more. 

"Bonsai" means "tray planted". They grow better in shallow trays or containers. Since it is an artistic creation choose your container carefully. To most indoor gardening enthusiasts, the actual growing is not the most fun, but rather, it's the trimming, pruning, and shaping of the plant into a unique shape that provides the reward to the Bonsai grower.   

Contrary to popular believe, Bonsai plants did not originate from Japan. Yes, it originated in ancient China, and was brought to Japan  over a thousand years ago and became widely popular. Its popularity in U.S home has grown tremendously in the last century. Bonsai plants blend the joy of indoor gardening with the artistic rewards of shaping a miniature plant into a work of art.  

Creating a Bonsai plant is not a quick task. It's best to buy plants already grown and shaped. Maintenance is minimal and easy to follow. They then maintain it. Some enthusiasts take up the challenge of growing a bonsai from seedlings, roots, or cuttings.  

Surprisingly, Bonsai plants need the same type of care as other house plants. Provide them with plenty of sunlight or artificial grow lights. They also need protection from insects and disease. They need water and like other house plants you should fertilize less frequently than outdoor plants.  

Bonsai plant is a pampered plant. For example, some Bonsai growers often let water come to room temperature before giving their plants a drink. Most growers put great effort into creating and maintaining the desired shape. While a good, sharp bonsai scissors is essential, the plant cost and maintenance is on the high side.