Bonsai Encyclopedia
Encyclopedia of popular bonsai species with care guides, traits, and styling tips.
Featured Bonsai
Showing 2 of 137 species
© Daderot / CC0Loose-flower hornbeam
Carpinus laxiflora
A deciduous hornbeam whose new shoots, young leaves and autumn foliage flush red. Called 'aka-soro' in bonsai, it has the smallest leaves and finest twigs among the hornbeams, offering interest from spring budbreak to winter silhouette.
Beginner-friendlyDeciduous bonsaiDeciduous
© KENPEI / CC BY-SA 3.0Yama-momiji (Japanese maple var. amoenum)
Acer amoenum var. matsumurae
A wild maple common in mountains on the Sea of Japan side, with leaves a little larger than iroha-momiji and cut into 7–9 lobes. Vigorous, fast-growing and easy from seed, it is the parent of many cultivars, a common rootstock and a staple bonsai material.
Beginner-friendlyDeciduous bonsaiJapanese maple
Related Content
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.