---
title: "Found this old bonsai that my brother killed, any advice on how and…"
description: "Found this old bonsai that my brother killed, any advice on how and if it’s possible to revive it? Will try anything!"
url: "https://getplanta.com/community/reGnX7K3StqCfipC4Gtt2w/u7pDKKi4rGhYrpD430pyJ5"
community: "Plant Pro Tips"
author: "Happyhouseplants"
published: "2025-08-03T08:44:58.260255Z"
language: "en"
image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/ZhKWWXXZvdjqSpQhbnxAXo7j-uWsvCKZbc7a-BuI9S0/YGuauN-5ShaSdK87EeYWXg.webp?size=large"
---

[Community](https://getplanta.com/community.md) / [Plant Pro Tips](https://getplanta.com/community/reGnX7K3StqCfipC4Gtt2w.md)

# Found this old bonsai that my brother killed, any advice on how and…

_Posted by Happyhouseplants on 2025-08-03_

Found this old bonsai that my brother killed, any advice on how and if it’s possible to revive it? Will try anything!

![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/ZhKWWXXZvdjqSpQhbnxAXo7j-uWsvCKZbc7a-BuI9S0/YGuauN-5ShaSdK87EeYWXg.webp?size=large)

## 3 comments

### 9s commented on 2025-08-03

Looks like elm? Try to scratch at the trunk. If it’s green under, it’s alive and you can save it. Put it outside where it can get natural sun. If it’s not green and branches break easily when you bend it, it’s dead.

### Waspinator commented on 2025-08-03

I see it has two mostly dead leaves that are barely hanging on. If you suspect that its root system is alive, then gently exhale over those leaves every so often (just whenever you pass by the plant.) Also try talking to the plant, gently touch, tap, or stroke any branch sections that seem alive, and try playing music (with a strong beat that'll make vibrations) near the plant. Reduce or even stop watering (it can't photosynthesize, so it won't use much water for now.) Give it 3+ weeks and watch for signs of new growth (that typically happens low on the plant after extreme stress.) If you get new growth, it'll be extremely delicate, so do not touch any new live sections

#### Waspinator replied on 2025-08-03

You can lightly mist it every so often to help keep that moss at the bottom alive. That root near the moss looks like it's your most likely live section

---

_Source: the Planta community (https://getplanta.com). Reading is open to everyone. To post, comment and like, get the Planta app: https://getplanta.com/download_