Bonsai: “a life in balance”. The therapeutic benefits of growing bonsai trees

Horticultural therapy is increasingly being used in clinical contexts and a growing number of studies over the past two decades have demonstrated its efficacy in improving physical, psychological, and social health. Bonsai has been advocated as a form of horticultural, nature-assisted, therapy. The few studies which exist have demonstrated preventative and restorative effects on mood state, relaxation, resilience, creativity, and adaptability. The current study further explored therapeutic benefits, and associated possible mechanisms, of growing and caring for bonsai trees. 161 amateur bonsai artists, and 11 professional bonsai artists, completed an online open-ended survey which explored why and how people began bonsai as a hobby and/or profession, whether bonsai provided therapeutic benefits, and experiences of caring for bonsai. Thematic analysis indicated considerable therapeutic benefits, not previously described in literature, linked to nine major themes: 1) how I got into bonsai, 2) a bonsai is for life, 3) an authentic life through bonsai, 4) a personal medicine, 5) patience, 6) quiet enjoyment, 7) people connections, 8) nature connections, and 9) one of the family. It is concluded that bonsai facilitate holistic health and wellbeing and therefore represent a viable avenue for horticultural therapy.