Bonsai Encyclopedia
Encyclopedia of popular bonsai species with care guides, traits, and styling tips.
Featured Bonsai
Showing 12 of 137 species
© 四葉亭四迷 / CC0Buddhist pine (maki)
Podocarpus macrophyllus var. maki
An evergreen conifer, a variety of Podocarpus macrophyllus with shorter, narrower, denser leaves, slower growth and a tighter form. Well known as a garden and hedge tree, it takes pruning well and is also grown as conifer bonsai.
© 杉山宣嗣 / CC BY-SA 4.0Hinoki Cypress
Chamaecyparis obtusa
Iconic Japanese conifer with fan-shaped scale leaves and reddish-brown bark. Famous as temple building material with refreshing fragrance. Enjoyed as shohin to medium bonsai.
Japanese Red Pine
Pinus densiflora
Called female pine for its graceful appearance. Reddish-brown bark and soft needles give a feminine impression. Often styled as literati or informal upright.
© belvedere04 / CC BY 4.0Japanese White Pine
Pinus parviflora
One of the supreme bonsai species. Short needles in bundles of five and dignified trunk character. Slow growth maintains form well. Good entry point for conifer bonsai.
© Original: Olga Ukhvatkina ; edit: MPF / CC BY-SA 4.0Korean Pine
Pinus koraiensis
Close relative of Japanese white pine with larger cones and edible pine nuts. Native to Korea, China, and Russia. Very cold-hardy with powerful trunks and rich foliage.
© KENPEI / CC BY-SA 3.0Needle Juniper
Juniperus rigida
Japanese native juniper with sharp needle-like foliage. Rougher texture than Shimpaku. Versatile from shohin to large sizes. Excellent for deadwood features.
© Cliff from Arlington, Virginia, USA / CC BY 2.0Nishiki-matsu (cork-bark Japanese black pine)
Pinus thunbergii 'Nishiki'
A mutation of Japanese black pine found on the Seto Inland Sea coast at Takamatsu, Kagawa. Its trunk and branch bark thickens into cork and splits deeply, giving even young trees the rugged look of a weathered old pine.
Sekka hinoki cypress
Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Sekka'
A hinoki selection made for bonsai and a shohin staple. 'Sekka' here means foliage even harder and more crinkled than ordinary yatsubusa types, packing into tight mounds with an ancient, fossil-like look.
Shimpaku Juniper
Juniperus chinensis var. sargentii
The most prized juniper in bonsai. Known for jin and shari deadwood artistry. Grows wild on cliffs, creating twisted trunks that combine ruggedness and elegance.
© Walter Siegmund / CC BY 2.5Shore Pine
Pinus contorta
Native to North American west coast. Known for resilience against sea winds and naturally curved trunks. Suits literati and windswept styles with distinctive wild charm.
Yatsubusa Japanese cedar
Cryptomeria japonica 'Yatsubusa'
A general name for dwarf yatsubusa forms of Japanese cedar—almost all small cedar bonsai are this type. It buds vigorously and gains an aged look through pinching alone, but plants sold under the name vary in foliage.
Zuisho Japanese white pine
Pinus parviflora 'Zuisho'
A leading yatsubusa (dwarf, densely budding) cultivar of Japanese white pine, propagated by cuttings, grafts and layers from a single mutant branch. Its foliage is fine and compact, yet it grows quickly for a white pine, so a tree takes shape fast.
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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.