Nearly any perennial, woody-stemmed tree or shrub that produces true branches can be trained as a bonsai tree. However, some species are more well-suited to growing as bonsai than others. Some bonsai tree species are more popular due to aesthetic reasons (such as having small foliage or gnarled-looking bark), while others are popular because they are notorious for being low-maintenance and resilient when grown as miniatures.
Bonsai Tree Species for Beginners
If you are just getting started growing and training bonsai, you may prefer to work with varieties that are easiest to train. Here are common bonsai tree species for beginners:
Juniper: Tolerates heavy pruning and is ideal for learning wiring techniquesFicus: One of the most common indoor bonsai tree types and best if you’re not consistent with wateringJapanese red maple: Affordable tree that tolerates pruning mistakes of novice bonsai artists, but you’ll need to remember to water itChinese elm: Great for learning pruning techniques; thrives indoors or outdoors
There are many types of species you can try out to create bonsai trees. Read on to find out more about the four species above for beginners and other popular flowering and non-flowering tree and shrub varieties that make good bonsai specimens. Junipers are popular as bonsai for two main reasons. First, the small foliage fits nicely with the miniature aesthetic of bonsai; and second, junipers are hardy trees that can withstand aggressive pruning. Juniper bonsai trees do not do well when grown indoors, and they must be planted in dry soil.
Light: Bright, sunny lightWater: Allow soil to dry slightly before wateringColor Varieties: Needles can be yellow, pale green, or dark green (depends on species)
Light: Full sunWater: Water when the soil looks dryColor Varieties: Needles range from light green to bluish green to dark green (depends on species)
A warning to those bonsai enthusiasts who don’t have a lot of time to dedicate to the craft—Japanese maples require a lot of water, especially during the growing season. Depending on the temperature, they may require daily watering, possibly even several times daily.
Light: Sunny, partial sunWater: Requires frequent watering (daily or more)Color Varieties: Some varieties have red or yellow leaves from spring to fall, while others are reddish in spring, turn green in summer, then transform into brilliant reds, yellows, or oranges in fall.
While bonsai cherry trees can be grown indoors, they may suffer from a lack of light and grow best when grown outdoors in the summer months.
Light: Full sunWater: Keep the soil consistently moist.Color Varieties: Foliage is green or bronze; flowers can be various shades of white or pink.
There are four cedar species frequently grown as bonsai: cedar of Lebanon (Cedrus libania), Cyprus cedar (Cedrus brevifolia), Himalayan cedar (Cedrus deodara), and Atlas cedar (Cedrus atlantica).
Light: Direct sunWater: Allow the soil to partially dry between wateringsColor Variations: Dark green needles
Ginseng ficus makes a low-maintenance bonsai tree, and it doesn’t require as much light as other popular bonsai varieties. It grows well indoors as a houseplant since it thrives in warm climates and bright, indirect light.
Light: Bright, indirect lightWater: Keep soil moistColor Varieties: Glossy green foliage and light brown bark
Besides its appearance, Ficus benjamina is a hardy, resilient tree making it perfect for bonsai training. It adapts well to growing indoors and is often grown as a houseplant year-round.
Light: Part sunWater: Water frequentlyColor Varieties: Glossy green leaves and light-brown bark
Dwarf jade bonsai trees grow well indoors but need direct sunlight for most of the day. They can also be successfully grown outside but cannot tolerate freezing temperatures.
Light: Direct lightWater: Water sparselyColor Varieties: Dark green succulent leaves, light brown branches
Pomegranate bonsai trees can be grown outdoors year-round in warm climates, or grown indoors for part of the year. They should be protected from freezing temperatures and frost.
Light: Bright direct lightWater: Water regularlyColor Varieties: Glossy green leaves; may flower with orange-red blooms that produce edible fruit
One type of dwarf boxwood, the littleleaf boxwood (Buxus microphylla), also known as ‘Kingsville Dwarf’, grows 12 to 18 inches high, perfect for bonsai and miniature gardens. Harland boxwood (Buxus harlandii) is another good shrub for a bonsai, but it can grow a little taller, to 2 to 3 feet if not pruned. Yet another dwarf boxwood variety is the Korean (Buxus sinica var. insularis) with a height of 2 feet.
Light: Full sun to partial shadeWater: Somewhat drought-tolerant; let dry slightly between wateringsColor varieties: Small, rounded, glossy, or leathery green leaves and insignificant green or yellow flowers
One particular azalea, Satsuki (Rhododendron indicum), is ideal for bonsai but it’s also considered strictly an outdoor flowering plant. Without pruning it can grow several feet tall, but with pruning it is a lovely foot or so high with pink springtime blooms.
Light: Full sun to partial shade; dappled shadeWater: Frequent wateringColor varieties: White, pink, red, orange, peach blooms
Light: Full sunWater: Drought tolerant, but needs less frequent and deeper wateringsColor varieties: Small green leaves, insignificant blooms, and exfoliating light and grey bark
You’ll enjoy the tricolor beech tree (Fagus sylvatica ‘Roseo-Marginata’/‘Purpurea Tricolor’) with its variegated leaves that may include many shades of green, pink, and white, with a color often edging the leaves, that create a dramatic bonsai. Other beech tree options include the American beech (Fagus grandifolia) with large, but thin leaves that look breezy as a bonsai, and the Japanese white beech (Fagus crenata), in demand as bonsai for its smaller, thicker foliage.
Light: Full sun to semi-shadeWater: Water whenever the soil is dryColor varieties: Green, yellow, purple, pink, white, or red leaves, white or gray bark
A popular tree from this genus to bonsai is the Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga). The foliage is dense and the branches are well proportioned for bonsai. The younger branches on Douglas fir can be easy to train since they are very flexible versus older, breakable branches.
Light: Full sun to partial shadeWater: Does not like droughts or wetness, requiring water when the soil is just about dryColor varieties: Green or blueish-gray needle-like leaves
A white oak tree may not be too easy for beginner bonsai artists. Other types of oak trees make better bonsai trees to start, such as the English oak tree (Quercus robur). It’s a perfect bonsai for autumn leaf peepers and you don’t even have to leave home to see the changing fall colors.
Light: Full sunWater: Deep, infrequent watering only when soil is dryColor varieties: Dullish green and shapely rounded lobed leaves with rough gray trunks
There are numerous ideal crabapple species for bonsai. Try ‘Sugar Tyme’ for its pinkish white flowers and profuse red fruit and weeping types like ‘Red Jade’ for its drooping form that bursts with white flowers.
Light: Full sun but not in direct, harsh heatWater: Frequent watering to keep moist, not soggyColor varieties: Oval serrated leaves come in greens to purples, with pink, red, or white flowers, and reddish to orange fruits
