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Bonsai Encyclopedia

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

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Showing 4 of 77 species

Cotoneaster© MPF / CC BY-SA 4.0

Cotoneaster

Cotoneaster horizontalis

Beginner

Fruiting bonsai bearing masses of small red berries. Tiny leaves and fine branching create natural bonsai form. Beautiful contrast of autumn leaves and red berries.

Beginner-friendlyFruitingRed berries
Japanese Holly© KENPEI / CC BY-SA 3.0

Japanese Holly

Ilex crenata

Beginner

Evergreen bonsai with glossy dark green leaves and red berries. Autumn-winter berries are highly ornamental. Hardy and easy to grow, a representative Japanese tree.

Beginner-friendlyEvergreenRed berries
Japanese Yew© Dalgial / CC BY-SA 3.0

Japanese Yew

Taxus cuspidata

Beginner

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
Nandina© KENPEI / CC BY-SA 3.0

Nandina

Nandina domestica

Beginner

Auspicious plant whose name suggests turning misfortune away. Beautiful red berries and winter color. Used in New Year decorations. Hardy and beginner-friendly.

BeginnerAuspiciousRed 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.