Durantha repens, the bonsai with bright flowers and exotic foliage

The bonsai world offers the opportunity to create small natural masterpieces. Flowers, leaves, fruits, works on trees’ branches or trunk wood, combination of species in the same collection… An umbrella of options that allow us to recreate landscapes that we long for or dream of in nature. Among these options, we find the colourful and exotic Durantha repens.

Durantha repens, Duranta or Geisha girl, is a plant known for its delicate leaves and fast growth, which makes it ideal for those who enjoy working constantly on the formation of their bonsai.

In this blog, we will explore the most popular varieties of Durantha repens and their basic care.

Most common Durantha bonsai varieties

Durantha repens

It is a tropical tree, native to Central and South America and the Caribbean. It belongs to the Verbenaceae family. One of its main attractions are its small blue and violet flowers, grouped in hanging clusters.

Durantha repens variegata

The variegata variety is noted for its green leaves with white edges and spaces, which add a vibrant contrast to the foliage. This variety is especially appreciated in the bonsai world for its exotic and elegant appearance.

Durantha repens aurea

Also known as Golden Duranta, it has bright yellow foliage, which gives it a sunny and striking appearance. It is certainly a bonsai that will add colour and brightness to your collection.

Basic care

Durantha repens is a tropical plant, so it needs a lot of light to grow.

For indoor cultivation, it is recommended to place it near a south- or west-facing window, where it receives direct sunlight. If it does not receive enough light, growth may become weak, affecting the structure of the bonsai and its flowering.

In hot climates, you can also place it outdoors during the hottest months, protecting it from direct sunlight during the most intense sunlight hours.

Duranta is a plant that prefers a moist, but not waterlogged, soil. Be careful with watering. Ideally, water when the first few centimetres of the soil are dry. In hot weather, daily watering may be necessary. Avoid letting the roots stand in stagnant water, as they may rot.

Durantha pinching, pruning and wiring

Pinching will help to improve the bonsai’s compactness, maintain its regular shape and aerate the branching to improve its vigour. Maintenance pinching can be done throughout the year, especially if the plant is in active growth. Pinching also stimulates branching, which helps the tree to have a denser and more compact shape. If you want a bushier bonsai, prune frequently.

Its branches are flexible, which helps in wiring, an essential technique for shaping our bonsai.

It is recommended to wire the younger branches, which are more malleable, being careful not to over-tighten the wire, as the rapid growth of this plant could damage the bark. Be sure to examine the wire periodically and remove it before it causes damage to the bark.

Pruning is necessary to improve the structure of your bonsai, if you want to change the orientation and personality of the tree. Branches that grow upwards or in unwanted directions should be cut off.

Repotting

It will need to be repotted every 2–3 years, preferably in early spring, before active growth begins.

During repotting, cut off about a third part of the roots to control the size and prevent the bonsai from running out of space in the pot. Use a draining substrate that allows the roots to aerate, but with some peat to maintain a certain humidity. You can learn more about how to transplant bonsai in this video.

Fertilising

To promote healthy growth and abundant flowering, it is recommended to fertilise your Durantha bonsai every two to four weeks during the growing season (spring and summer).

Use a slow-release balanced fertiliser to ensure a constant supply of nutrients. We recommend the range of organo mineral fertilisers Hiryo Gold, choose the one that best suits your bonsai collection. Fertilisation will help to stimulate vigorous growth and bring out the bright colour of the flowers. As autumn arrives, reduce the frequency of fertilisation, as the plant’s nutritional needs decrease in its dormant period. Fertilise less in winter, but a certain amount, at least once or twice per month, as it is an evergreen bonsai.

Why adding a Durantha to your bonsai collection?

It is a great choice if you are looking for an eye-catching bonsai with a lot of work possibilities and resistance, which makes it ideal for all levels of bonsai cultivation knowledge.

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