Bonsai Encyclopedia
Encyclopedia of popular bonsai species with care guides, traits, and styling tips.
Featured Bonsai
Showing 2 of 77 species
© Philipp Franz von Siebold and Joseph Gerhard Zuccarini / Public domainJapanese Cedar
Cryptomeria japonica
Endemic Japanese evergreen conifer. Known for straight trunk and dense needle leaves. Looks great as formal upright or twin trunk. Some varieties turn bronze in winter.
BeginnerConiferFormal upright
© Dalgial / CC BY-SA 3.0Japanese Yew
Taxus cuspidata
Named after the highest court rank in Japan. Beautiful red berries and dark green needles. Hardy in cold climates with slow growth, ideal for long-term bonsai.
BeginnerConiferRed berries
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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.