Bonsai Encyclopedia
Encyclopedia of popular bonsai species with care guides, traits, and styling tips.
Featured Bonsai
Showing 3 of 77 species
© Clint Budd / CC BY 2.0Bougainvillea
Iconic tropical flowering plant. The colorful parts are bracts, not flowers. Best in warm regions but can be grown indoors in cooler areas. Thick trunks add character.
IntermediateFloweringTropical
Brazilian Rain Tree
Chloroleucon tortum
Tropical tree characterized by nyctinastic leaf movements, closing at night and in rain. Delicate pinnate leaves and white flowers. Peeling bark adds interest. Indoor management required.
IntermediateTropicalIndoor management
© M108t / CC BY 4.0Fukien Tea
Ehretia microphylla
Evergreen from southern China. Small glossy leaves, white flowers, and red berries. Tropical species popular worldwide as indoor bonsai. Trunk bark has unique texture.
IntermediateEvergreenIndoor
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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.