If you’re thinking about delving into the world of bonsai, there are a few things you will need to consider. The first and most important is which Bonsai tree to start out with. Although all Bonsai require care, there are certain species which are more suited for beginners and can withstand some of the novice mistakes most of us make with our beginner’s bonsai! You can check out our Beginner’s Bonsai Growing Guide for information on bonsai growing and care.
Some questions to ask yourself before you begin:
- Is your Bonsai going to be an indoor or outdoor tree?
- If outdoors, what is the climate like where you live?
Typically, tropical and sub-tropical species can survive indoors, while others need to be outdoors and exposed to the seasons. Frost protection from temperatures under -10 is almost always required, however some Bonsai do better with the cold than others. Finally, you need to choose whether to buy an already thriving Bonsai or to cultivate your own from a seed. Most beginners start off with an established tree, if you’re a beginner this is what I would suggest. Below are 6 of the best choices of Bonsai Tree for beginners.
The Ficus Bonsai
When caring for any Bonsai it is important that you water it correctly, in fact perfecting the watering process is a skill. There are slight variations in how much watering is required depending on how much heat, sun and humidity your Bonsai is exposed to and, it’s species and size. You should water the ficus bonsai when the soil begins to dry but before it is completely dried out. If left to dry out completely most Bonsai will die relatively quickly, if over watered the damage may be less noticeable but just as dire in the long run. Thankfully, the Ficus is more forgiving to over and under watering than most other species, this is one of the reasons it is top of the list for beginners.
If you’re looking for your first indoor Bonsai tree, this would be my number one choice and is indeed the one which I started out with. There are well over 800 species of Ficus, the most common being the Retusa. The leaves are a stunning dark green and this Bonsai often grows aerial roots known as nebari, which are appreciated by Bonsai enthusiasts. This is a sub-tropical species but is able to tolerate lower light levels than many other bonsai trees. They are also able to endure lower levels of humidity although they will thrive better in high humidity.
The other reason this is a great Bonsai for beginners is its toleration of pruning mistakes, unlike most other Bonsai trees, the Ficus is usually able to recover from such mistakes. Finally, it has a good resistance to pests, although this should not stop you from keeping an eye out for them as on occasions the Ficus can be bothered by spider mites.
Best suited to USDA 10 – 11
The Chinese Elm Bonsai
The Chinese Elm would come in as my second choice of Bonsai for beginners. They are slow growing and not as fussy as many other Bonsai about their location. They have a unique quality which only a few Bonsai have in that they can be kept indoors or outdoors and require only minimal shelter from severe weather conditions. The Chinese Elm thrives best when exposed to morning sun and given a little shade in the afternoon.
The Elm is also easier than most Bonsai to prune and is reasonably forgiving to common beginner mistakes. They can be shaped well, without too much difficulty, using wire and they grow with predictable structure and beautiful proportion. All of them have small but lovely bright green leaves. They are semi deciduous so whether indoor or outdoor their leaves may turn yellowish and shed during the winter. As with the ficus, the Chinese Elm doesn’t usually run into bother with pests but can on occasions be at risk of spider mite infestations, this is more likely if the humidity is too low.
Best suited to USDA zones 4 – 9
The Boxwood Bonsai
Common Boxwood is another little Bonsai ideal for the beginner. This is a Bonsai which is very easy to care for and can thrive well in different conditions. It likes partial shade but is very adaptable. It does of course like nearly all bonsai need protection from extreme cold and frost. You should keep the soil moist and it requires regular feeding with fertilizer. Possibly the most appealing feature for beginners is that it is one of the easiest Bonsai trees to shape with Bonsai wire and it can also withstand aggressive pruning. The Common Boxwood can be prone to fungal infections which may require treatment. Seeking advice from a professional to identify the best and safest pesticide would be my recommendation should you find yourself in this situation.
Best suited to USDA 5 – 8
The Juniper Bonsai
The Juniper Bonsai, an evergreen, is another good option for beginners who are looking for an outdoor Bonsai tree. It grows slowly but has an abundance of elegance. The Juniper Bonsai needs exposure to at least four hours of sunlight a day. It’s one of the best Bonsai at withstanding cold temperatures. As usual, protection is needed from extremely hot sunlight and freezing conditions below -10. With the Juniper Bonsai, deadwood styling is often possible and can give that little bit of extra character to your tree.
As another bonus for beginners, these bonsai are resistant to pests, when placed and cared for properly. Still, it is important to check them regularly and not allow the foliage to become overly dense as this can increase the likelihood of pests such as spider mites, juniper scales or juniper webworms.
Best suited to USDA zones 4 -9
The Hawaiian Umbrella Bonsai
My final choice of Bonsai for beginners would be the Dwarf Schefflera. This is often sold as a house plant and is great as an indoor Bonsai. It is a Tropical species and you can keep it indoors for the whole year. It can tolerate dimmer light levels than most. Also, it’s great in lower humidity despite its preference of high humidity. The soil needs to remain moist and should never be left to completely dry out.
A great feature of this Bonsai, for beginners, is its ability to warn you if you are over or under watering. If you are watering, it too frequently you will see the leaves begin to turn black whilst if you underwater, they will curl a little at the tip. These warnings make it a more forgiving Bonsai and if you adjust your watering in accordance it should recover. Believe it or not, the most common reason that most beginners’ bonsai die is from incorrect watering.
Best suited to USDA zones 9 -11
The Japanese Maple Bonsai
This is a great choice for beginners if you’re looking for an outdoor Bonsai. Many people are drawn to the Maple Bonsai due to its unique and exquisite leaf color, and who can blame them especially in the autumn when they are tinged with a mix of red, gold and orange simultaneously, but for beginners it has even many more qualities. It is one of the most frost hardy Bonsai, tolerating weather variations well, requiring only a little shade from the extreme heat of the midday sun and some protection from frost when temperatures fall below -10. The Japanese maple requires moisture and should never be left to completely dry out. Rainwater is preferred due to its slightly acidic nature. The Japanese maple is pretty and robust and not easily bothered by pests. It can however be susceptible to aphids so keep checking it.
Best suited to USDA 4 – 9