Technical Sheet - Prunus Spinosa

Common Name: Prunus Spinosa

Scientific Name: Prunus Spinosa

Description: Species native to Europe and Western Asia, belonging to the Rosaceae family.

This bonsai is deciduous, known for its dense dark green foliage and sharp thorns. During spring, it produces small white flowers that turn into edible fruits, blackish to bluish in color, known as "sloes".

It is also appreciated as a garden plant for its ability to form dense thorny thickets, making it ideal for natural fences.


Location: Outdoors, where it receives 2 to 3 hours of direct sunlight per day (ideally in the morning or late afternoon), protected from strong winds and frost.

Watering: Water the soil abundantly until a good amount of water comes out of the drainage holes, in order to moisten the soil evenly, always watering from above and never by soaking, using a fine rose watering can.

For watering tips, see the watering technical sheet.

Allow the top layer of soil to dry slightly between watering (to confirm if the plant needs water, touch the soil with your fingers).

If you have a tray under the Bonsai, never leave any water in it (to avoid root rot).

There is no advantage to misting the leaves; only do so on days when you fertilize and if the fertilizer is for foliar application, but make sure the leaves dry by night to avoid fungi.

Nutrition: From February to October/November, with a basic plan consisting of a complete fertilizer (Fertil Bonsai Humic, or Green & Gold Bonsai Organic or Biogold), and a biostimulant throughout the year (Bio Bonsai Activ), which can also be combined with other products from our range.

Detailed information on how to combine these products with others from our range, or for a more specific nutrition plan, see the complete nutrition plan technical sheet.

Pruning: Allow 5 to 6 leaves to grow, then cut back to the first leaves.

For pruning tips, see the pruning and defoliation technical sheet.

Repotting: With Bonsai Leafy Soil in January/February, before budding.

Details about repotting, post-repotting care, and specific strengthening products you can use, see the repotting technical sheet.

Wiring: Wiring can be done all year round, but the branches are somewhat brittle—usually wiring is done at the end of winter or in summer together with formative pruning and/or partial/total defoliation.

For wiring instructions, see the wiring technical sheet.