16 Common Bonsai Tree Species to Grow

Juniper (Juniperus spp.)

Juniperus is a large genus of over 50 evergreen coniferous trees and shrubs that are popular as bonsai trees. All species of juniper can be successfully grown as bonsai.

Junipers are popular as bonsai for two main reasons. First, the small foliage fits nicely with the miniature aesthetic of bonsai; and second, junipers are hardy trees that can withstand aggressive pruning. Juniper bonsai trees do not do well when grown indoors, and they must be planted in dry soil.

• Light: Bright, sunny light
• Water: Allow soil to dry slightly before watering
• Color Varieties: Needles can be yellow, pale green, or dark green (depending on species)

Pine (Pinus spp.)

Pine trees are popular as bonsai because they are hardy and trainable. In fact, pine trees can be shaped into almost every known bonsai style. Pine trees are characterized by needles that appear in bundles of two to five, and bark that becomes scaly or flaky as it ages. Species that are particularly good for bonsai include Japanese black pine (Pinus thunbergii), mountain pine (P. mugo), Scots pine (P. sylvestris), and Japanese white pine (P. parviflora).

• Light: Full sun
• Water: Water when the soil looks dry
• Color Varieties: Needles range from light green to bluish green to dark green (depending on species)

Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum)

Japanese maples are deciduous hardwood trees famous for red-burgundy or green leaves that turn bright red, orange, or yellow in fall. The bark of young Japanese maples is typically green or reddish, turning grey or grayish-brown as it ages. 

A warning to those bonsai enthusiasts who don’t have a lot of time to dedicate to the craft—Japanese maples require a lot of water, especially during the growing season. Depending on the temperature, they may require daily watering, possibly even several times daily.

• Light: Sunny, partial sun
• Water: Requires frequent watering (daily or more)
• Color Varieties: Some varieties have red or yellow leaves from spring to fall, while others are reddish in spring, turn green in summer, then transform into brilliant reds, yellows, or oranges in fall.

Japanese Flowering Cherry (Prunus serrulata)

Cherry trees are traditionally believed to signify friendship, and varieties such as the Japanese flowering cherry also make beautiful bonsai trees. These ornamental, deciduous trees are not only gorgeous, but they are easy to train because their branches and trunks are pliable and easy to shape. 

While bonsai cherry trees can be grown indoors, they may suffer from a lack of light and grow best when grown outdoors in the summer months.

• Light: Full sun
• Water: Keep the soil consistently moist.
• Color Varieties: Foliage is green or bronze; flowers can be various shades of white or pink.

Cedar (Cedrus spp.)

The rough, ragged bark of cedar trees has made them a popular choice among bonsai enthusiasts. Cedar trees are evergreen conifers that grow short needle clusters along their branches, providing an opportunity for very dramatic bonsai styles. Impressive drama aside, cedars are not ideal for beginners. Cedar bonsai trees require specialized care and expertise to grow properly as bonsai and are best suited for experienced growers.

There are four cedar species frequently grown as bonsai: cedar of Lebanon (Cedrus libania), Cyprus cedar (Cedrus brevifolia), Himalayan cedar (Cedrus deodara), and Atlas cedar (Cedrus atlantica).

• Light: Direct sun
• Water: Allow the soil to partially dry between waterings
• Color Variations: Dark green needles

Ginseng Ficus (Ficus microcarpa)

Ginseng ficus is a tropical bonsai tree species. However, it's considered to be an excellent species for beginner bonsai enthusiasts because it is a very hardy and forgiving tree. These broadleaf evergreen trees are characterized by unique-looking aerial roots and oval-shaped dark green leaves.

Ginseng ficus makes a low-maintenance bonsai tree, and it doesn't require as much light as other popular bonsai varieties. It grows well indoors as a houseplant since it thrives in warm climates and bright, indirect light.

• Light: Bright, indirect light
• Water: Keep soil moist
• Color Varieties: Glossy green foliage and light brown bark

Weeping Fig (Ficus benjamina)

The beautiful, umbrella-like canopy of the weeping fig makes it a popular choice for bonsai. Its twisted surface roots are another alluring feature that lends well to bonsai styling. 

Besides its appearance, Ficus benjamina is a hardy, resilient tree making it perfect for bonsai training. It adapts well to growing indoors and is often grown as a houseplant year-round.

• Light: Part sun
• Water: Water frequently
• Color Varieties: Glossy green leaves and light-brown bark

Dwarf Jade (Portulacaria afra)

The dwarf jade plant is a semi-evergreen softwood shrub that makes an excellent bonsai tree for beginners. Dwarf jades look very similar to the more common jade variety (Crassula ovata), however, the smaller foliage of the dwarf jade makes it the preferable choice for bonsai growing.

Dwarf jade bonsai trees grow well indoors but need direct sunlight for most of the day. They can also be successfully grown outside but cannot tolerate freezing temperatures.

• Light: Direct light
• Water: Water sparsely
• Color Varieties: Dark green succulent leaves, light brown branches

Pomegranate (Punica granatum)

The thick, knotted bark and striking, fruit-bearing flowers of the pomegranate tree have made it a popular type of bonsai tree. Its naturally gnarled, ancient appearance is perfect for the bonsai aesthetic.

Pomegranate bonsai trees can be grown outdoors year-round in warm climates, or grown indoors for part of the year. They should be protected from freezing temperatures and frost.

• Light: Bright direct light
• Water: Water regularly
• Color Varieties: Glossy green leaves; flowers with orange-red blooms that produce edible fruit

Dwarf Boxwood (Buxus spp.)

Dwarf boxwoods are popular shrubs and they also are good choices for bonsai plants since they respond well to pruning.

One type of dwarf boxwood, the littleleaf boxwood (Buxus microphylla), also known as 'Kingsville Dwarf', grows 12 to 18 inches high, perfect for bonsai and miniature gardens. Harland boxwood (Buxus harlandii) is another good shrub for a bonsai, but it can grow a little taller, to 2 to 3 feet if not pruned. Yet another dwarf boxwood variety is the Korean (Buxus sinica var. insularis) with a height of 2 feet.

• Light: Full sun to partial shade
• Water: Somewhat drought-tolerant; let dry slightly between waterings
• Color varieties: Small, rounded, glossy, or leathery green leaves and insignificant green or yellow flowers
  

Azalea (Rhododendron spp.)

Azaleas are flowering shrubs, but some miniature versions, typically referred to as "greenhouse azaleas," are meant to be houseplants. Dwarf varieties can grow just shy of 3 feet tall.

One particular azalea, Satsuki or Southern Indian Azalea (Rhododendron indicum), is ideal for bonsai but it's also considered strictly an outdoor flowering plant. Without pruning it can grow several feet tall, but with pruning it is a lovely foot or so high with pink springtime blooms.

• Light: Full sun to partial shade; dappled shade
• Water: Frequent watering
• Color varieties: White, pink, red, orange, and peach blooms

Chinese Elm (Ulmus parvifolia)

The Chinese elm, also known as lacebark elm, is a popular choice for those beginning bonsai since the tree is easy to grow indoors or outdoors though it needs heavy pruning. It has a rounded shape and its distinctive multi-colored bark in shades of brown, gray, green, and orange exfoliates for visual interest. A Chinese elm bonsai will stay around 10 inches to 2 feet tall.

• Light: Full sun
• Water: Drought tolerant, but needs less frequent and deeper waterings
• Color varieties: Small green leaves, insignificant blooms, and exfoliating light and grey bark
  

European Beech Tree (Fagus sylvatica)

In the landscape, beech trees grow tall with thick, lush canopies and striking shades of bark, and bonsai versions are every bit as lovely. The European beech (Fagus sylvatica) is ideal for bonsai because of its smooth grey bark and broad, but small leaves.

You'll enjoy the tricolor beech tree (Fagus sylvatica 'Roseo-Marginata'/'Purpurea Tricolor') with its variegated leaves that may include many shades of green, pink, and white, with a color often edging the leaves, that create a dramatic bonsai.

Other beech tree options include the American beech (Fagus grandifolia) with large, but thin leaves that look breezy as a bonsai, and the Japanese white beech (Fagus crenata), in demand as bonsai for its smaller, thicker foliage.

• Light: Full sun to semi-shade
• Water: Water whenever the soil is dry
• Color varieties: Green, yellow, purple, pink, white, or red leaves, white or gray bark

Fir (Abies)

Many fir (Abies) trees from the genus are often chosen for Christmas trees, and they make perfect bonsai specimens, as well. They are part of the pine tree family (Pinaceae) but fir trees deserve their place on the bonsai map. One caveat: fir trees aren't always suited to container culture so they have to become acclimated.

A popular tree from this genus to bonsai is the Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii). The foliage is dense and the branches are well-proportioned for bonsai. The younger branches of Douglas fir can be easy to train since they are very flexible versus older, breakable branches.

• Light: Full sun to partial shade
• Water: Does not like droughts or wetness, requiring water when the soil is just about dry
• Color varieties: Green or blueish-gray needle-like leaves

White Oak (Quercus alba)

Though the white oak tree (Quercus alba) grows to epic heights in the landscape, it can also make a handsome, sturdy bonsai specimen. Even as bonsai, it will have a signature gnarled, aged trunk and the propensity to live indefinitely.

A white oak tree may not be too easy for beginner bonsai artists. Other types of oak trees make better bonsai trees to start, such as the English oak tree (Quercus robur). It's a perfect bonsai for autumn leaf peepers and you don't even have to leave home to see the changing fall colors.

• Light: Full sun
• Water: Deep, infrequent watering only when soil is dry
• Color varieties: Dullish green and shapely rounded lobed leaves with rough gray trunks

Flowering Crabapple (Malus spp.)

Most flowering crabapple species make beautiful fragrant flowering and fruiting bonsai. They flower in the spring and produce small dangling round fruit in the fall. It's safe to taste the tiny apple fruit of your bonsai if you're tempted.

There are numerous ideal crabapple species for bonsai. Try ‘Sugar Tyme’ for its pinkish-white flowers and profuse red fruit and weeping types like ‘Red Jade’ for its drooping form that bursts with white flowers.

• Light: Full sun but not in direct, harsh heat
• Water: Frequent watering to keep moist, not soggy
• Color varieties: Oval serrated leaves come in greens to purples, with pink, red, or white flowers, and reddish to orange fruits