Bonsai Encyclopedia
Encyclopedia of popular bonsai species with care guides, traits, and styling tips.
Featured Bonsai
Showing 10 of 77 species
Cork Bark Pine
Pinus parviflora
A variety of white pine with bark that develops cork-like texture. Striking contrast between rugged bark and delicate five-needle foliage. Bark deepens with age, gaining dignity.
© No machine-readable author provided. Inti-sol~commonswiki assumed (based on copyright claims). / CC BY-SA 3.0Ezo Spruce
Picea jezoensis
Conifer native to Hokkaido. Dense short needles create a rugged appearance reflecting harsh northern climates. Extremely cold hardy, ideal for bonsai in cold regions.
Itoigawa Shimpaku Juniper
Juniperus chinensis
The finest Shimpaku variety from Itoigawa. Extremely fine scale foliage grows densely, prized for delicate leaf character. Produced many masterpieces at exhibitions.
© Nihongo1234 / CC BY-SA 4.0Japanese Beech
Japanese beech
Bonsai of a tall deciduous tree with smooth silver-white bark and elegant form. Enjoy spring budding, summer green, autumn gold, and winter marcescent leaves.
© northofsweden from Sweden / CC BY 2.0Japanese Birch
Betula platyphylla
Deciduous tree with beautiful white bark. Captures the cool highland scenery in a small pot. Enjoy fresh green, yellow autumn leaves, and white trunk winter silhouette.
© User:Jetoney / Public domainJapanese Black Pine
Pinus thunbergii
The ultimate bonsai classic. Rugged bark and powerful branching are its greatest appeal. Faster than white pine; advanced techniques like bud cutting create refined canopies. Challenging but supremely rewarding.
© Bruce Marlin / CC BY 3.0Japanese Hornbeam
Carpinus japonica
Deciduous tree with fine branching and small leaves ideal for bonsai. Creates elegant broom-style silhouettes similar to zelkova. Autumn gold. Alpine species preferring cool conditions.
© No machine-readable author provided. MPF assumed (based on copyright claims). / CC BY 2.5Japanese Umbrella Pine
Sciadopitys verticillata
Endemic Japanese conifer, one of the world's three great garden trees. Distinctive umbrella-like needles. Often planted at shrines and temples. Prized as an elegant bonsai.
Mame Keyaki (Miniature Zelkova)
Zelkova serrata
Ultra-small zelkova variety selected specifically for mame bonsai. Forms authentic broom style even at palm size. Tiny leaves and delicate branch tips create a precise miniature world.
Shohin Momiji (Small Maple)
Acer palmatum
Maple styled to shohin bonsai size. Managed in smaller pots than regular maples, expressing condensed autumn scenery with delicate branches and small leaves. Ideal for display shelves.
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Bonsai FAQ
- How much do bonsai cost?
- Mini bonsai cost 1,000-5,000 yen, medium bonsai 5,000-50,000 yen, and masterpiece-class large bonsai hundreds of thousands to millions of yen depending on age, size, and form.
- Can beginners start bonsai?
- Starting with small Japanese maple, Shimpaku juniper, or Japanese white pine is recommended. With basic watering and 1-2 annual prunings, beginners can fully enjoy bonsai.
- How long do bonsai live?
- With proper care, bonsai can live for hundreds of years. Japan has many bonsai several centuries old, valued as art pieces passed down across generations.
- What should I check when buying bonsai?
- Look at root spread, trunk movement, and branch balance. Beginners may enjoy starting with affordable raw material trees and shaping them, rather than finished specimens.
- What's most important for bonsai care?
- Daily watering is the most important task. Water thoroughly when the soil surface dries, twice daily in summer (morning and evening). Keep outdoors in a spot with good airflow and sunlight.