Bonsai Trees, Seeds and Cuttings
The fastest way into bonsai is a rooted starter tree or a cutting. From seed, you'll wait 3 to 5 years before there's much to shape. Most listings here are seeds and cuttings of species that suit bonsai, including ficus, Japanese maple, juniper, willow, wisteria and fruiting trees. There are also live starter plants ready for their first styling. Decide first whether your tree lives indoors or outdoors, because that rules out half the species.
Shop by type
How to choose a bonsai
- Indoor bonsai: tropical species such as ficus, jade (Portulacaria and Crassula), Schefflera and Fukien tea. They need a bright window or grow light all year.
- Outdoor bonsai: juniper, Japanese maple, pine, elm, willow and wisteria need a cold winter dormancy. Kept indoors, they decline within a year.
- Beginners: ficus and Chinese elm tolerate mistakes, back-bud readily and recover from hard pruning.
- Seed vs cutting vs starter: cuttings root in 4 to 8 weeks and grow faster than seed. Many tree seeds, including maple and pine, need cold stratification before they'll sprout.
Common bonsai species
| Species | Indoor or outdoor | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| Ficus | Indoor | Easy |
| Jade (Portulacaria, Crassula) | Indoor | Easy |
| Chinese elm | Outdoor, tolerates indoor | Easy |
| Juniper | Outdoor only | Moderate |
| Japanese maple | Outdoor only | Moderate |
| Weeping willow | Outdoor only | Moderate, thirsty |
What to skip
- A juniper "bonsai" kept on a desk. It's an outdoor tree and will slowly die inside.
- Seed packs for oddities like blue maple or rainbow bonsai. Those colors aren't real species.
FAQ
What's the best bonsai tree for beginners?
Ficus indoors, Chinese elm outdoors. Both handle uneven watering and grow back fast after pruning.
How long does it take to grow a bonsai from seed?
Expect 3 to 5 years before the trunk is thick enough to style, and longer for a refined tree. Cuttings and starter trees save years.
Can bonsai trees live indoors?
Only tropical and subtropical species. Temperate trees need a cold winter outside.
What soil do bonsai need?
A fast-draining, mostly inorganic mix such as akadama, pumice and lava rock, so roots get air and the pot never stays soggy.
Related collections
Succulents and Cacti · Fruit Trees and Berry Plants · Rooting Gels and Hormones · Growing Media
