Classic Black Bonsai Humidity Tray
A humidity tray is one of the simplest accessories you can add under an indoor bonsai.
The main benefit is practical: it helps protect your furniture, windowsill, table, shelf, or plant stand from water that drains out of the bottom of the bonsai pot. If you keep tropical bonsai indoors, a tray underneath the pot is a smart idea.
Humidity trays can also help add a little humidity around the tree as water slowly evaporates from the tray. It is not going to turn a dry room into a rainforest, but every bit helps, especially during winter when indoor air can be very dry.
For best results, the bonsai pot should sit above the water, not in it. That is where river rocks or small pebbles come in. The rocks lift the pot slightly so water can collect in the tray without the tree’s roots sitting in standing water.
We offer optional decorative river rocks with this tray, but you do not have to buy them from us. Any clean river rock or small pebble from a garden center, nursery, or big box store can work. The important part is elevation. The pot should be raised enough that the drainage holes are not sitting directly in water.
Why We Like It
- Protects furniture: Catches water that drains from the bonsai pot after watering.
- Great for indoor bonsai: Especially useful for tropical trees kept inside the home.
- Optional rocks elevate the pot: Helps keep the pot above standing water.
- Adds a little humidity: Water in the tray slowly evaporates around the tree.
- Clean, simple look: The black tray works with most bonsai pots and display areas.
How to Use a Humidity Tray
- Choose a tray that is larger than your bonsai pot.
- Add a layer of clean river rocks or small pebbles to the tray.
- Place your bonsai pot on top of the rocks.
- Add water to the tray, keeping the water level below the bottom of the pot.
- Refill as needed when the water evaporates.
The bonsai pot should never sit directly in standing water. The rocks are there to raise the pot, improve drainage space, and help prevent the roots from staying too wet.
Choosing the Right Size
The tray should be larger than the bonsai pot. You want enough room around the pot to catch draining water and create a clean display area.
If the tray is too small, water may still spill over onto your furniture. When in doubt, choose the larger tray.
Available Tray Sizes
- 7" Tray: Outside dimensions: 8.5" x 6.125"; inside base dimensions: 7" x 4.75"
- 9" Tray: Outside dimensions: 10.75" x 7.75"; inside base dimensions: 9.5" x 6.5"
- 11" Tray: Outside dimensions: 13.25" x 9.25"; inside base dimensions: 11.75" x 8"
- 14" Tray: Outside dimensions: 16" x 11.75"; inside base dimensions: 14.5" x 10.25"
- 17" Tray: Outside dimensions: 18.25" x 13.5"; inside base dimensions: 17" x 12.25"
Do You Need River Rocks?
We offer optional river rocks as an add-on for convenience. They look nice, help finish the display, and elevate the bonsai pot above the water.
You can also use clean river rock, aquarium gravel, or small pebbles from a garden center or big box store. Just rinse them first and make sure they are large enough to support the pot securely.
Best For
- Indoor bonsai displays
- Tropical bonsai trees
- Windowsills, tables, shelves, and plant stands
- Protecting wood furniture from water damage
- Condos and apartments where balcony plants need a tray underneath
- Any potted plant where you need to catch drainage water
When Not to Use a Humidity Tray
For cold hardy outdoor bonsai, we generally do not recommend using humidity trays as part of normal care. Outdoor trees usually need free drainage and good airflow, and they should not be sitting in water.
There are exceptions. If you live in a condo or apartment and keep bonsai or other plants on a balcony, you may be required to use trays under your pots to catch water, regardless of species. In that case, just make sure the pot is elevated and not sitting directly in standing water.
Product Details
- Product: Classic Black Bonsai Humidity Tray
- Material: Durable black plastic
- Use: Indoor bonsai, tropical bonsai, plant displays, water protection, and humidity support
- Rock Add-On: Optional decorative river rocks available
- Important: Use rocks or pebbles to keep the bonsai pot elevated above standing water
- SKU: HT
Learning Resources and Bonsai Tree Care Guides:
Bonsai trees are not all the same - and neither is their care. Read our specific care sheets for individual bonsai species. Read the Bonsai Care Guides
Shipping Bonsai Trees:
Bonsai trees are generally shipped on Mondays & Tuesdays to avoid having them stay in the boxes for any extra time over the weekends.
Shipping Non-Tree Items
All non-bonsai items such as bonsai pots and bonsai supplies are shipped within 48 hours of receiving payment. Most orders are shipped either the same day or the next day, depending on the time of day the order is received.
Important Guidelines:
** We cannot ship to a FPO, APO, P.O. Box or to locations in Alaska, Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Hawaii or anywhere internationally.
** All Bonsai are shipped direct from the nursery and may ship separately from other items purchased via the Bonsai Outlet.
** If extreme weather is expected, we may delay shipping your Bonsai tree to guarantee a healthy arrival; in such a case we will contact you. We are shipping living trees and must be conscious of the temperature conditions to the delivery address, as well as, while in transit. That said, we reserve the right to hold the tree(s) to guarantee a healthy delivery. We will Hold Your Tree Until It is Safe to Ship.
