Tinyroots Kanuma Soil – The Best Soil for Azaleas and Acid-Loving Bonsai
Sourced from the Kanuma region of Japan, Tinyroots Premium Kanuma Soil is a soft, low-fired pumice-like material that’s become the gold standard for Azalea bonsai and other acid-loving species such as Camellias, Gardenias, and Blueberries.
Kanuma is prized for its ability to retain moisture while maintaining excellent aeration. It’s naturally acidic (pH 4.5–5.5), making it ideal for plants that require low-pH growing environments.
This is the same Kanuma used by growers across Japan—excavated from over 10 feet below ground, sun-dried, crushed, and sorted by grain size for professional bonsai use.
Why Use Kanuma Soil?
- Moisture-Retaining + Airy – Absorbs more than its weight in water while still promoting airflow
- Encourages Fine Root Growth – The soft texture supports hair root development essential to healthy bonsai
- Perfect for Repotting – Light granules reduce transplant stress and simplify root work
- Naturally Acidic – Ideal for Satsuki Azaleas and other acid-loving bonsai
- Authentically Japanese – Dug and processed in the heart of the Kanuma growing region
How to Use
Kanuma can be used as a standalone soil for Azaleas or mixed with Akadama, pumice, or lava rock to create a well-balanced custom blend. Though it breaks down faster than hard-fired substrates, many U.S. bonsai growers continue to use Kanuma successfully by adjusting watering and repotting schedules accordingly.
Product Details
- Brand: Tinyroots
- Grain Size: 3–5mm
- Color: Light tan/yellow
- pH: 4.5 to 5.5
- Imported From: Kanuma, Japan
Sizes & Wholesale
Choose from convenient 2‑quart pouches up to bulk professional bags (17L Bags or even Super Sacks). Need pallets for retail or classrooms? Contact us for wholesale pricing—no order too big.
Tinyroots Kanuma is the trusted choice for bonsai professionals who demand the best results for their flowering bonsai.
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.
