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Bonsai Encyclopedia

Encyclopedia of popular bonsai species with care guides, traits, and styling tips.

Featured Bonsai

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Showing 8 of 77 species

Crape Myrtle© Francisco Manuel Blanco (O.S.A.) / Public domain

Crape Myrtle

Lagerstroemia indica

Beginner

Flowering bonsai blooming pink or white from summer to autumn. Smooth bark and twisted trunk create unique character. Named for bark so smooth even monkeys slip.

BeginnerFloweringSummer bloom
Hawthorn© KENPEI / CC BY-SA 3.0

Hawthorn

Crataegus cuneata

Beginner

Deciduous tree with white spring flowers and red autumn berries. Perfect bonsai candidate with flowers, fruit, and autumn color. Thorns require gloves when styling.

BeginnerFloweringFruit bearing
Japanese Bush Clover© Show_ryu / CC BY-SA 3.0

Japanese Bush Clover

Kummerowia striata

Beginner

One of the seven autumn flowers. Countless small purple flowers on weeping slender branches create exquisite charm. A quintessential grass-style bonsai capturing autumn spirit.

BeginnerFloweringAutumn flowers
Japanese Iris Bonsai© KENPEI / CC BY-SA 3.0

Japanese Iris Bonsai

Iris ensata

Beginner

Popular grass-style bonsai. Large purple or white flowers capture waterside scenery in a small pot. Beautiful with moss, creating a seasonal display for early summer.

BeginnerGrass styleFlowering
Japanese Quince

Japanese Quince

Chaenomeles speciosa

Beginner

Flowering bonsai that covers branches with red, white, or pink blooms in early spring. Develops thick trunks and aged look easily. Fruits add secondary interest.

Beginner-friendlyFloweringEarly spring
Rose of Sharon© Tiffany825 / CC BY 3.0

Rose of Sharon

Hibiscus syriacus

Beginner

Deciduous shrub blooming continuously from summer to autumn. Known as Korea's national flower. Individual flowers last one day but bloom in succession. Hardy and fast-growing.

BeginnerFloweringSummer blooms
Satsuki Azalea© KENPEI / CC BY-SA 3.0

Satsuki Azalea

Satsuki azalea

Beginner

The iconic flowering bonsai of Japanese culture. Blooms in May-June with thousands of cultivars. Huge variety in flower color and form. Star of exhibitions.

Beginner-friendlyFloweringMany cultivars
Winter Jasmine© Jean-Jacques MILAN / CC BY-SA 3.0

Winter Jasmine

Jasminum nudiflorum

Beginner

Flowering bonsai covered in yellow blooms in early spring. Weeping habit suits cascade style. Bright yellow heralds spring when few flowers bloom. Hardy and easy.

Beginner-friendlyFloweringYellow bloom
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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.