Most popular bonsai trees


8 Most Popular Bonsai Trees

June 11, 2019

Not all bonsai trees are created equal! There are just some bonsai trees that are more beautiful and better to care for. The reason being bonsai trees are cultivated to resemble miniature versions of larger trees. Most perennial woody-stemmed trees or shrub species can be grown and artfully formed into bonsai trees. The best characteristics of well-forming bonsais have small leaves and needles. Once sprouted, the bonsai trees will grow to fit their environment. Choose the best bonsai trees to care for from seedlings to natural, fully grown trees.

 

Jacaranda Mimosifolia - Brazilian Rosewood

This flowering tree is native to south-central South America. It is a subtropical plant characterized by its luscious blue and lavender colored flowers. Their green leaves are compound and fern-like. Their branches are zig-zag and slender.

 

Pinus Aristata - Bristlecone Pine

Pines are among the most popular bonsai trees because of their ease to shape in a variety of styles. They are long-lasting evergreen trees that keep their needles up to 40 years on fully grown pines. They are native to New Mexico and Colorado in the U.S. Their name refers to their formation. Beautiful clusters of pine needles with bristles on their cones.


Delonix Regia - Flame Tree

Similar to the Jacaranda, this is another brightly colored tree. The name refers to its vibrant red and golden hued flowers. It is a tropical tree from the legume family. It thrives in tropical and subtropical climates. The bark twists, the leaves are fern-like and its canopy takes on a natural umbrella shape.


Picea Mariana - Black Spruce

Native to the northern hemisphere, this is another type of coniferous evergreen tree. Unlike the pine, they are spruces. Therefore, they are more difficult to shape but equally as beautiful. Their leaves are green and needle-shaped. The branches grow whorled and its canopy is a conical shape.


Ficus Religiosa - Buddha Tree

This is a great beginner bonsai tree. It is a semi-evergreen fig tree, part of the mulberry family. It’s name derives from the ancient story of the buddha who attained enlightenment meditating underneath this type of tree. They are native to the Indian subcontinent and southeast Asia. They prefer tropical climates but can be grown in a variety of climates. The leaves are green with a heart shape and drip tip.

 

Pinus Thunbergii - Japanese Black Pine

Like the Bristlecone Pine, these are easy to shape in a variety of different bonsai styles. They are a variety of coniferous evergreen pine trees. Their needles grow in clusters of two. They are strong, long and dark green needles, native to Japan and grow by the sea.


Pinus Densiflora - Japanese Red Pine

Similar to Japanese Black Pines, these are coniferous evergreens pine trees. Unlike, the Black Pines, they are delicate and slender. Their needles are thinner and softer. They are native to Japan but grow a little further away from the sea.


Metasequoia Glyptostroboides - Dawn Redwood

They were first discovered in China but exist all around the world. They are strong and tall trees. They have light green leaves and needle-shaped leaves. They can grow very rapidly.

These species of bonsai trees are perfect for beginners, moderate to advancement bonsai caretakers. They do well in both indoor and outdoor settings with the proper care and maintenance. Growing these spectacular bonsai trees from start to finish will be a fun and fulfilling experience!

 

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16 Common Bonsai Tree Species to Grow

These types of bonsai trees are best for training into different shapes at home

By

Cori Sears

Cori Sears

Cori Sears specializes in home decor and houseplants. For more than 10 years, she's been on a mission to transform her urban apartment into an indoor jungle. She's been a contributing writer for The Spruce since 2019.

Learn more about The Spruce's Editorial Process

Updated on 08/23/22

Reviewed by

Kathleen Miller

Reviewed by Kathleen Miller

Kathleen Miller is a highly-regarded Master Gardener and Horticulturist who shares her knowledge of sustainable living, organic gardening, farming, and landscape design. She founded Gaia's Farm and Gardens, a working sustainable permaculture farm, and writes for Gaia Grows, a local newspaper column. She has over 30 years of experience in gardening and sustainable farming.

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The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

Bonsai is an ancient living art form that utilizes growing and training techniques to produce miniature trees that mimic the appearance of their full-sized counterparts. These techniques include heavy crown pruning, root pruning, and root confinement in shallow containers.

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:

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.

Tip

Nearly any tree variety grown as a bonsai will grow best in a special potting mix that is usually marketed as a bonsai soil mix. This mix is really not a soil at all, but rather a mixture of hard Japanese akadama (a claylike mineral), pumice, and black lava, sometimes with some horticultural additives included.

Bonsai Tree Plants and Feng Shui

The Best Succulents

The Ten Greatest Bonsai Trees

Although bonsai cultivation as a hobby is now spread all over the world, its Asian origin is not disputed by anyone. It is not surprising, therefore, that the most impressive trees are in the collections of famous Japanese masters.

In this section we have brought together ten magnificent trees - unique in terms of their beauty, balance and realism. These trees will help you properly appreciate this ancient and fascinating art! The order in which these ten trees are presented has nothing to do with their importance.

(#1) 800-year-old bonsai from Mr. Kuno Kobayashi's Shunka-en Nursery

A remarkable tree famous for its extremely old age. It is believed to be over 800 years old and one of the most expensive in the world. Its owner, Master Kobayashi, is one of the most famous bonsai artists in the world, having received the prestigious Japanese Prime Minister's Award four times. His kennel, Shunka-en, is located in Tokyo and is open to the public.

(#2) Goshin (Guardian of the Spirit) by John Naka

Goshin (Guardian of the Spirit) is a bonsai created by John Y. Naka. This is a composition in the form of a grove of eleven Chinese junipers (a subspecies of Foemin), the oldest of which Naka began to form back in 1948. In 1984, Naka donated this composition to the National Bonsai Foundation on the condition that it be exhibited in the US National Botanical Gardens (Washington), where it remains to this day.

(#3) Small bonsai (Shohin), author - Morten Ahlbeck

Gorgeous horizontal cotoneaster (Cotoneaster horisontalis). This picture was taken in the spring. The tree blooms in summer and is adorned with small red berries in autumn and winter. The height of this bonsai is only 9.5 cm and it is planted on a miniature rock. The author of the container is the famous master John Pitt. At the time of this photo, the tree was about 20 years old and took approximately ten years to form.

(#4) Scotch pine (Pinus silvestris) by Stefano Frisoni

This tree is amazingly realistic and highly valued in bonsai. As you can see, the crown fragments are very dense and resemble clouds in the sky!

(#5) Penchin Yi-Sun Wu Chinese Style Landscape

This is a wonderful Chinese landscape from the Man Lung Collection (Hong Kong), which uses sageretia (Sageretia theezans) together to form a very realistic landscape (in ficus bonsai are also widely represented in this collection). This composition, including trees, rocks and miniature figures, is placed in a flat rectangular marble tray, which, in turn, stands on an antique table.

(#6) Blooming bonsai by Wolfgang Putz

This azalea tree is only 14 cm tall. The picture was taken in late spring - early summer, when azaleas bloom (not for long, but very brightly). The tree is planted in a Japanese container. We also have a section on the site with the 10 best flowering bonsai.

(#7) Brazilian rain tree by Badi Sulistio

This tree is grown from a small cutting and this photo shows the result of 12 years of work. The Brazilian rain tree, native to Central and South America, is considered one of the most beautiful tropical trees. It is very popular in bonsai.

(#8) Mini bonsai arrangement (mame) by Morten Ahlbeck

A bonsai arrangement (in this case, a small size mame) usually consists of a main tree, a painting scroll and an accent plant. Together, these objects create a strong image, often reflecting the beauty of the current season. See other images of small bonsai.

(#9) Walter Poll's famous bonsai - Japanese maple

One of the most famous trees in the collection of European bonsai artist Walter Poll. This tree is incredibly elegant and realistic, large in size (almost a meter high, the maximum for bonsai) and it is over a hundred years old. Without a doubt, this is a masterpiece created by an inspired artist! A photo of this tree is posted in our bonsai gallery.

(#10) Bonsai master Kimura

And last but not least, Sensei Kimura's bonsai. His collection of diverse trees is world renowned. Beginning at the age of 15, Kimura was a student of Master Hamano at the Omiya Bonsai Village. To see his captivating and sometimes unconventional work, we recommend visiting Master Kimura's bonsai garden!

65 photos and general rules for growing ornamental plants

Almost everyone knows about the existence of a miniature copy of a real tree called bonsai. Everyone can plant and grow it with their own hands. It is important that the selected seedling take root in the climatic conditions surrounding it.

The cultivation process itself is very simple, but it requires constant monitoring of the formation of the crown and trunk, a lot of time and diligence. Caring for a mini tree must be correct.

The main thing is the observance of conditions favorable for the proper development of the plant, which is possible with balanced lighting, moisture, temperature, watering and fertilizing the soil. In the photo you can see many options for a bonsai tree.

Brief content of the article:

Perspective into the historical past

Most bonsai growing experts are sure that its roots grow from the land of the rising sun - Japan. Although the true origin of an ornamental mini plant, or rather the art of its creation, is from China even before our era.


A few centuries later, the Japanese picked up this work, while bringing it a little to perfection. This is where its active distribution around the world began, which is why art is considered Japanese. From Japanese, the name is translated as a tree in a saucer.

The traditional type of bonsai has the following features:

The symbolism of the plant

To create a plant does not require a huge space, as evidenced by the name of the plant - "a tree on a saucer." But patience, diligence and diligence are very necessary. After all, not everyone is able to cope with the process of long-term cultivation.

But those who manage and grow a worthy mini copy of a tree should know that this is not only an ornamental plant, but also symbolizing: wisdom and justice, endurance and goodwill.


Bonsai cannot be called a simple occupation, because it is a full-fledged art that requires special human qualities: patience, diligence and effort. Due to their longevity, they can sometimes reflect entire historical eras.

At the same time, care and appearance will tell everything without words due to damaged bark, branches and huge rhizomes. For example, in Japan there are specimens that have been growing for more than a millennium.

Miniature conifers, symbolizing eternity, are considered the most valuable when compared with deciduous species that shed their leaves every autumn.

Varieties of mini trees

There are a lot of original trees from which you can create mini copies, but conifers are more popular. Due to their durability and hardiness, in addition, they have small leaves that remain green throughout the year.

The main varieties are:


The Japanese bonsai tree is not recommended for growing indoors as it does not like hot dry climates. Therefore, after a few days of indoor maintenance, the plant may get sick. When placing a tree on the street, it should be remembered that it needs protection from sunlight, rain and winds.

Bonsai plant selection

If you decide to grow bonsai yourself, then when choosing a particular type of plant, you need to take into account the climatic conditions of your region. It is better to give preference to local specimens: juniper, pine, lilac, etc.

You can create a miniature copy of a tree with your own hands using any plant seeds that do not require special care.

Increased attention and demand goes to wisteria, which is a tree with branches covered with small flowers. It can grow indoors as a house bonsai tree. The apple tree for bonsai is also good, besides the beautiful appearance, it can bear fruit.

Popular species and management rules

Different (coniferous and deciduous) plants are suitable for cultivation, but the most in demand:

It is very easy to grow a mini flower or bonsai on your own, using plants adapted to the local climate (pine, oak, juniper, etc.).

Care does not require special conditions or skills. For germination, you can use seeds or prepared seedlings taken from the forest.

How to grow a bonsai tree

To grow a bonsai, it is enough to observe the following conditions:

Tree care

Maintenance features include the following steps: