Do you love bonsai trees? Well done, you belong to a special club! Bonsai fans appreciate nature, trees, skill, and history – all elements that the art of bonsai holds dear. Most of these miniature miracles are easy to care for, once you know what they need. If you’re unsure about how to care for a bonsai or which tree is best for you, don’t worry. We compiled a species guide to help you choose and it’s stuffed with the best advice to keep your bonsai healthy!
Table of Contents
1. Ficus Ginseng Bonsai
This tree is great for beginners. It’s hardy, very forgiving, and quickly adopts the shape of an “old” bonsai. They are known for their bulbous main stem and tendrils. The latter is often used to train this species to cling to rocks.
The tree loves lots of light, so give it a sunny spot near a windowsill. Plant the bonsai tree in a blend of organic matter, soil, and rocks. Only water when the soil is dry, otherwise you risk a host of fungal issues. You can also help your Ficus Ginseng to soak up more sunny nutrients by keeping its leaves clean. Every now and again, take a moist cloth and wipe away the dust on its leaves.
2. Jade Plant Bonsai
The Jade tree creates a compact bonsai with an attractive thick stem, strong branches, and those sought-after miniature leaves. A native of South Africa, it has an average lifespan of 50 to 70 years. Some Jade plants are even passed down to the next generation of bonsai lovers!
Your Jade tree needs a substantial amount of full sunlight. Find a place in the house where it can receive several hours of direct sunshine daily. Since this species stores a lot of water in its leaves, overwatering is a problem. Only offer your Jade Tree a drink when the soil has dried out. You can give a good fertilizer every month during the growing season and it also needs to be repotted every two years.
Learn everything you need to know about how to repot a bonsai.
3. Hawaiian Umbrella Bonsai
This tropical plant makes a stunning miniature tree. The species has mangrove-like roots, making it a popular choice for those who like to train their bonsai to cling to rock decorations. The tree also has a thick canopy of tiny, glossy leaves and a thin, unobtrusive trunk. This combination makes the Hawaiian Umbrella tree a great choice for beginners and experts alike.
This bonsai can live in dim light but you’ll get the best results when the tree is exposed to bright, indirect sunlight for a couple of hours every day. Avoid drafts and don’t allow the soil to dry out, either. This species requires a fair amount of fertilizer. Choose a good organic fertilizer and feed your bonsai once a month during winter and weekly throughout the rest of the year. You can use standard potting soil but repot your Hawaiian Umbrella bonsai every two years.
4. Juniper Bonsai
The Juniper bonsai is prized for its trunk. When trained correctly, the pale wood almost looks fluid in the way that it wraps around ornamental rocks and branches. Seeing that it grows between six and twelve inches a year, you also don’t have to wait forever to shape the tree into the style that you desire.
Your Juniper tree requires several hours of direct sunlight every day. The best potting soil for this species is any well-draining medium and a commercial bonsai potting mix is ideal. You also need to learn how to water this species properly as it requires a fine balance between keeping the plant slightly moist but never waterlogged. During the growing season, the tree will appreciate a monthly dose of fertilizer but avoid giving any during winter. Also, avoid fertilizing the tree for a month after repotting.
5. Ponytail Palm Bonsai
Many homeowners love this tree. It looks quirky and exotic at the same time. It’s also pet-friendly! To be fair, this is not really a tree but a type of succulent. When shaped into a bonsai, it forms a beautiful thick trunk with its trademark mop of “hair.”
Since it is a succulent, you don’t need to water it that often. Allow the soil to dry out before you give your Ponytail Palm another next drink. It will also thrive in direct, bright sunlight. Beyond that, this species is truly low-maintenance, making it a perfect choice for beginners or someone who doesn’t have a lot of time to spare.
6. Norfolk Island Pine Bonsai
This tree has a real Christmas season vibe. Indeed, some people buy them as miniature Christmas trees during the festive season! Native to the South Pacific, this pine has fern-like leaves. Attractive features include evergreen foliage, a straight central trunk, and highly symmetrical branches.
If you want a Norfolk Island Pine, then put a sticky note nearby that you need to rotate your bonsai every week. When left standing in the same position for too long, the tree will lean towards the sun and cause the trunk to grow sideways. Allow the tree to dry out a little before watering and fertilize during the growing months. You can repot this tree every second year and use well-draining, loose soil.
7. Chinese Elm Bonsai
Native to China and Southeast Asia, the Chinese Elm can grow as tall as 80 feet in the wild. The attractive trunk and small leaves make this species a popular bonsai tree. A Chinese Elm bonsai looks particularly breathtaking when it leans in a windswept style.
Chinese Elm bonsai need full sunlight or partial light to thrive. While it loves a window, ensure that the window is not a drafty one! It’s also important to hit the right balance when you water your elm. This bonsai doesn’t do well when dry or waterlogged. You don’t need to worry about fertilizer during the colder months because the bonsai will be dormant. You can, however, give it organic fertilizer every two weeks during the growing season.
8. Ming Aralia Bonsai
In the garden, Ming Aralia is already a small guy. This dwarf tree doesn’t grow taller than 6 feet. But as a bonsai, you can shrink it even more. Hailing all the way from Polynesia and India, the tree is known for its evergreen, feathery leaves. The trunk has mangrove-like tendrils that also contribute to that sought-after “old” look. Keep in mind that Ming Aralia is mildly toxic to both humans and pets.
This bonsai is better suited to hobbyists with more experience. It has a fine root system that rots easily when watered incorrectly, making careful watering and well-draining soil two essential care practices with this tree. It fares well when allowed to dry out a little between weekly soakings. The correct temperature and humidity are also critical. Keep the conditions between 65 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit and the humidity high.
9. Desert Rose Bonsai
This stunning bonsai species is also referred to as the Japanese frangipani – but ironically, it’s not from Japan. This succulent is native to Arabia and Africa. Appearance-wise, it has a thick, bulbous base that is very similar to Ginseng Ficus. Desert Rose bonsai produces fleshy leaves and large flowers. These blooms can be red, pink, or white.
As a plant that is indigenous to warm countries, your Desert Rose needs a warm spot in the home where it can receive full sun or filtered light. Like all other succulents, it will thrive with less water. The general rule is to allow the pot to dry out for a short period and then offer the tree a drink! From spring to fall the tree can be given a monthly dose of fertilizer. Your bonsai also needs to be repotted every two or three years. Make sure to prune its roots before you place it inside its new pot and use well-draining soil.
10. Fukien Tea Tree
The Fukien tree is native to countries like Japan, China, and even Australia. As one of the most popular indoor bonsai trees, it’s often mass-produced and sold. The tree has a fetching combination of small, glossy leaves and gray limbs. When the Fukien Tea is healthy and happy, it will also bear fruit and flowers all year round.
This species requires lots of natural light and warmth, so pick a sunny windowsill for this bonsai! Pot in well-draining soil and water when the top surface of the soil feels dry. Excessive watering will harm this bonsai and be careful with fertilizer; this tree has a sensitive root system. When feeding your bonsai, use a quality organic product that won’t burn. A good choice is liquid fish emulsion.
FAQ
Q: How long can indoor bonsai live?
An indoor bonsai can live a long time. How long depends on the care it receives and also the species. Some ficus trees can live well over 100 years.
Q: Can I give my indoor bonsai tap water?
In most cases, tap water is fine. If you can safely drink it, then so can your little tree. However, if you live in an area where the tap water is classified as “hard” you might want to give your bonsai rainwater instead.
Q: Should I mist my bonsai?
Research your species to find out whether it will benefit from misting. As a general rule, bonsai that is native to warm and humid climates will appreciate a misting routine. Be careful not to overdo it. Too much misting can invite fungal problems.
Q: Can any tree be turned into a bonsai?
Frankly, yes! The aim of bonsai growers is to create a dwarfed version of trees and shrubs. This means that with enough time, skill, and patience, you can produce a bonsai version of almost any tree.
Q: How do you thicken a bonsai’s trunk?
An effective way to thicken a bonsai’s trunk is to let it grow in a large pot. It should be left to grow as it pleases and sometimes, to get the results you want, it can take a few years. Once you are happy with the trunk’s appearance, move the bonsai to a smaller container and trim the branches.
