Fukien Tea

A compact evergreen shrub prized for bonsai, with small glossy dark-green leaves and a gnarled trunk, suited for bright indoor spaces.

Bright LightExtra Large ScaleToxic to Pets

Medicinal, Ornamentalalso known as: Fukien tea tree, Philippine tea

Assessment

Is This For Me?

light_mode

Light ExposureinfoIndoor light recommendation based on the plant's native habitat. "Bright indirect" means near a window but shielded from direct rays.

Bright Indirect — Close to a window but out of direct rays.

opacity

Watering HabitinfoHow forgiving this plant is when you miss a watering or accidentally overwater. High tolerance means more room for error.

Low — Water when soil surface is dry.

psychology

Maintenance DifficultyinfoOverall ease of care rating. Beginner-friendly plants communicate their needs clearly through visible signs.

Medium — Needs basic observation skills.

straighten

Spatial RequirementinfoExpected mature size in a typical indoor environment. Actual size depends on light, pot size, and growing conditions.

Extra Large — Fits a range of indoor spaces.

schedule

Seasonal BehaviourinfoHow this plant's growth changes with the seasons. Use this to adjust your care routine throughout the year.

Year-Round Active — No seasonal rest. Same care routine works all year.

thermostat

Temperature NeedsinfoThis range represents the plant's survival tolerance. Optimal growing temperatures are typically 5-10°C higher than the minimum.

18°C – 28°C — Warm-Loving — Keep warm — sensitive to cold drafts and temperature drops.

Appearance & Space

expand

Leaf Size

infoSmaller than 5 cm — typical of delicate, fine-textured plants like baby tears or creeping sedums.

Small

texture

Leaf Surface

infoPolished, mirror-like shine. Light catches the surface clearly, creating vivid reflections.

Glossy

texture

Leaf Texture

infoA balanced, typical thickness. Flexible enough to bend, tough enough for everyday handling.

Medium

crop_portrait

Visual Form

infoA clear trunk below with a leafy crown on top — a classic miniature tree silhouette.

Tree Like

Size Gauge

Height

Extra Large / Floor (3.5m)

Spread

Expansive (m)

Perfect for

A variety of indoor spaces

Color Palette

Deep Green

Mid Green

Core Care Logic

How Often to Water

Stick your finger in the top inch of soil. If it feels dry, water thoroughly until it drains from the bottom.

Finding the Right Light

Right next to a window, but shielded from direct rays. Look for a spot where you can see the sky but the sun never touches the leaves directly.

Choosing the Right Soil

Any standard indoor potting mix from the garden center will do. Add a handful of coco coir if you want it to hold moisture a bit longer.

Temperature & Humidity

Prefers it on the warm side, 18–28°C. Keep away from cold windowsills in winter. Average home humidity (40–60%) works well. No extra effort needed.

What to Expect

This is a moderate grower but benefits from occasional pruning to keep its shape and remove dead foliage.

What Makes It Special

Widely popular bonsai species for traditional Chinese Penjing and Western indoor cultivation, valued for small leaves and woody growth habit suitable for miniature landscapes.

auto_awesomeProduces small white flowers year-round followed by small yellow-red to dark berries. Small dark-green shiny leaves have distinctive tiny white dots on the upper surface and hairy undersides.

auto_awesomeThe species epithet 'microphylla' refers to the small leaves, a key distinguishing morphological feature for bonsai use.

Botanical Archive

Boraginaceae · Ehretia

Ehretia microphylla Lam.

India, Sri Lanka, Myanmar

expand_more

Storage and Survival Organ

None Obvious

How this plant survives unfavorable seasons

Seasonal Growth Cycle

Year Round Stable

When to expect new growth and feed actively

Root Sensitivity

Low

How carefully you should handle roots during repotting

Attachment Strategy

Terrestrial

How this plant anchors itself in its native environment

Root System

Fine Fibrous

The structure and behavior of the root system

Light Ecology

Dappled Partial

The light environment this plant evolved to thrive in

Growth Habit

Woody Persistent

How persistent and structural the plant tissue is

Assessment

Is This For Me?

light_mode

Light ExposureinfoIndoor light recommendation based on the plant's native habitat. "Bright indirect" means near a window but shielded from direct rays.

Bright Indirect — Close to a window but out of direct rays.

opacity

Watering HabitinfoHow forgiving this plant is when you miss a watering or accidentally overwater. High tolerance means more room for error.

Low — Water when soil surface is dry.

psychology

Maintenance DifficultyinfoOverall ease of care rating. Beginner-friendly plants communicate their needs clearly through visible signs.

Medium — Needs basic observation skills.

straighten

Spatial RequirementinfoExpected mature size in a typical indoor environment. Actual size depends on light, pot size, and growing conditions.

Extra Large — Fits a range of indoor spaces.

schedule

Seasonal BehaviourinfoHow this plant's growth changes with the seasons. Use this to adjust your care routine throughout the year.

Year-Round Active — No seasonal rest. Same care routine works all year.

thermostat

Temperature NeedsinfoThis range represents the plant's survival tolerance. Optimal growing temperatures are typically 5-10°C higher than the minimum.

18°C – 28°C — Warm-Loving — Keep warm — sensitive to cold drafts and temperature drops.

Appearance & Space

expand

Leaf Size

infoSmaller than 5 cm — typical of delicate, fine-textured plants like baby tears or creeping sedums.

Small

texture

Leaf Surface

infoPolished, mirror-like shine. Light catches the surface clearly, creating vivid reflections.

Glossy

texture

Leaf Texture

infoA balanced, typical thickness. Flexible enough to bend, tough enough for everyday handling.

Medium

crop_portrait

Visual Form

infoA clear trunk below with a leafy crown on top — a classic miniature tree silhouette.

Tree Like

Size Gauge

Height

Extra Large / Floor (3.5m)

Spread

Expansive (m)

Perfect for

A variety of indoor spaces

Color Palette

Deep Green

Mid Green

Core Care Logic

How Often to Water

Stick your finger in the top inch of soil. If it feels dry, water thoroughly until it drains from the bottom.

Finding the Right Light

Right next to a window, but shielded from direct rays. Look for a spot where you can see the sky but the sun never touches the leaves directly.

Choosing the Right Soil

Any standard indoor potting mix from the garden center will do. Add a handful of coco coir if you want it to hold moisture a bit longer.

Temperature & Humidity

Prefers it on the warm side, 18–28°C. Keep away from cold windowsills in winter. Average home humidity (40–60%) works well. No extra effort needed.

What to Expect

This is a moderate grower but benefits from occasional pruning to keep its shape and remove dead foliage.

What Makes It Special

Widely popular bonsai species for traditional Chinese Penjing and Western indoor cultivation, valued for small leaves and woody growth habit suitable for miniature landscapes.

auto_awesomeThe species epithet 'microphylla' refers to the small leaves, a key distinguishing morphological feature for bonsai use.

Botanical Archive

Boraginaceae · Ehretia

Ehretia microphylla Lam.

India, Sri Lanka, Myanmar

expand_more

Storage and Survival Organ

None Obvious

How this plant survives unfavorable seasons

Seasonal Growth Cycle

Year Round Stable

When to expect new growth and feed actively

Root Sensitivity

Low

How carefully you should handle roots during repotting

Attachment Strategy

Terrestrial

How this plant anchors itself in its native environment

Root System

Fine Fibrous

The structure and behavior of the root system

Light Ecology

Dappled Partial

The light environment this plant evolved to thrive in

Growth Habit

Woody Persistent

How persistent and structural the plant tissue is