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Bonsai trees are not only best to grow in pots, but due to their miniature nature, they are the best for small gardens. Bonsai trees are difficult to look after unlike palm trees and you have to understand the requirements of your trees to be able to take care of them properly.
Whether you are just a beginner grower or you want to add new tree types to your collection, I would be providing you with a wide variety of bonsai trees that you can plant either indoors or even outdoors but remember, these trees need a lot of sunlight.
Some of the common types of bonsai trees include ficus bonsai, Japanese maple trees, beech bonsai trees, satsuki azalea, Chinese elm, and a few others that we will talk about in this article.
Different Types of Bonsai Trees
1. Beech Bonsai Tree
The beech bonsai tree is a lot more temperamental than most of the other bonsai tree types. These plants do not like when the soil is completely dry and for that reason, you would have to be able to water it from time to time.
Although this plant is not all that easy to take care of, with the right soil type, pruning method, and watering, you would be able to pull it off. One of the most valued parts of this tree is its smooth bark, which almost looks like an elephant’s hide.
See Also: Types of Yucca Trees
2. Ficus Bonsai
The Ficus bonsai is far more popular than a lot of other species due to its unique trunk shapes and also, its versatility. Another major characteristic that makes it very popular is its ability to grow ariel roots, but this can only be done effectively in a humid environment.
The bonsai ficuses trees include parts like the retusa; which consists of a large s-shaped trunk and dark oval leaves, the ginseng; which has a pot-bellied trunk that almost looks like its root, and the Benjamin; which can be able to grow into an upright shape and has unique foliage.
These trees grow best in places with high humidity and they can be able to survive overwatering but the same cannot be said when it is underwatered. If you are getting these plants as home plants, then you would need to implement more misting strategies carefully.
3. Japanese Maple Trees
You should have heard of the famous Japanese maple trees because they always steal the show wherever they are at. They are majorly present in Chinese festivals to imply the cultural history of Japan and they are attractive because of their color and shape which is asymmetrical but uniform.
You should water these plants daily in warm weather and water more when the weather is hotter also, you should prune all year round especially when the need arises.
These Japanese plants are hardy plants down to about -10 degrees c and for that reason, they make a great choice for display on your patios.
4. Chinese Elm
The Chinese elm is a well-proportioned tree with attractive woodland nature and appearance with its small leaves. this Chinese elm comes in a lot of varieties and falls under the windswept bonsai category because they require a lot of airflow around its leaves and branches.
Although these plants require a lot of watering, they can do incredibly well in all climates making them stress-free and good choices for outdoor houseplants. This plant is ideally suited to be grown indoors also but you would be needing to do frequent fertilizing and pruning.
See Also: Plants With Yellow and Green Leaves
5. Satsuki Azalea
Most people have flowering varieties of bonsai trees as their favorite and if that is your case also, then the Satsuki azalea should be the plant you ideally need. Apart from the Satsuki azaleas, there are a lot of other azalea varieties that come in various colors like red, pink, or even white.
The azalea bonsai trees love the sun and can fit in as a perfect shade also coupled with the fact that they can withstand frost of 40 degrees F. Azaleas like acidic soils and you should try your best not to water them with acidic soils so it does not affect the pH of the soil; stick to watering them with rainwater.
Always ensure that you keep the soil moist and also feed these plants with fertilizers weekly in their growing seasons. You should maintain pruning practices and prune the lower branches of the trees harder than the top and ensure that you remove faded blooms immediately after flowering.
6. Birch Bonsai Trees
Seeing the birch bonsai trees displayed as bonsais are very amazing to behold. The birch bonsai are 3-4 ft high and these trees are also frost-hardy plants that are ideal for gardens. The birch bonsai, like most bonsai plants, thrive well in sun and needs a lot of watering in the summer.
However, like most bonsai trees, they do not like it when their soil is waterlogged so when watering, be careful o you do not water too much which would eventually destroy the roots.
You can report your birch bonsai every few years and prune them regularly but you have to do it with a light touch because if you cut them too much, it might eventually lead to wood rot.
7. Juniper Bonsai
The juniper bonsai trees are widely available plants that make an ideal choice for beginners. these trees have scale-like foliage and their color range from yellowish green to blueish-green they always come with both male and female reproductive parts so they can pollinate themselves.
The needles on these trees are thick and stiff which gives the tree is distinct office look. These plants grow best in bright lights and a humid environment and when misted regularly, it doesn’t seem to have any threats of infections.
These plants can go on for years without being repotted but if you decide to do so, you should be very careful so you do damage the root system of the plant. these plants have spines and for that reaps, you should be careful with them around your home if you have kids or pets.
8. Pine Bonsai Trees
The pine bonsais are one of the most common bonsai trees to be seen and they are also great beginner plant choices for beginners. These plants fall into the category of either being multi-flush or single and they are evergreen too.
These pine trees require pruning during the summer to encourage the growth of new and older shoots. The Japanese red ad black opines are examples of good trees that experienced two growth flushes. These plants are slow-growing and so you shouldn’t be bothered if yours does not grow too fast.
The method of pruning depends on the type of bonsai pine you have = because the pruning methods differ. However, if you have gotten a hang of how to prune them, these pine bonsai trees tend to perform excellently well.
Some other amazing bonsai varieties include; Carmona bonsai.
- Bald cypress bonsai
- Jade bonsais
- Flowering apricot bonsai
Frequently Asked Questions
What Flowering Tree Is the Best for Beginners?
The easiest evergreen you can start with is the juniper. It is amazing for people who love a traditional look however if you want a bit more color, then some other great options for you are the series and cotoneaster.
Apart from these, there are a lot of other popular varieties of elms and ficuses you can start with.
How Long Do Bonsai Trees Take to Grow?
due to their various types, there are various times that it takes for your bonsai trees to grow but the time range ranges from 10-30 years to grow to their full sizes. Some other mini varieties take fewer years to grow so the choice is yours, with ever your choice to go for has its growth time range.
How Long Do Bonsai Trees Live For?
Bonsai trees are very strong and can live for many years. The oldest bonsai tree in the whole world is over a year old and is kept in a museum in Italy. Apart from that, there are a lot of other very old bonsais that have lived for various hundreds of years.
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Do Bonsai Trees Need Sunlight?
Yes, bonsai trees need a lot of sunlight, direct sunlight as a matter of fact and if they are not provided with direct sunlight, it may cause damage to their foliage. They should be receiving a minimum of 6-8 hours of sunlight daily whether kept indoors or outdoors.
Which Bonsai Is Best Indoor?
The best bonsai to be kept indoors is the Ficus bonsai. The reason is because of its low humidity and its very resilient nature, making it a perfect option for beginners.