🌳 Bonsais.co.uk

Home » Guides » Japanese Bonsai Trees: The Traditional Species to Buy

Japanese Bonsai Trees: The Traditional Species to Buy

When people say "Japanese bonsai" they usually mean the species that Japanese growers have trained for centuries: pines, junipers, Japanese maples, Satsuki azaleas and Zelkova. Almost all of them are outdoor trees. They need the seasons, so most will decline on a windowsill. If you want an indoor tree, a ficus or Fukien Tea is the better buy.

Our picks

  1. Japanese White Pine Bonsai (Pinus Parviflora), 45-50cm — 45-50cm incl. 16cm growing pot
    Pine Bonsai 45-50cm incl. 16cm growing pot

    1. Japanese White Pine Bonsai (Pinus Parviflora), 45-50cm

    Imported from Japan and one of the defining species of traditional bonsai. A specimen tree that lives outdoors all year.

    View details & Amazon link
  2. Juniper Bonsai Tree (Juniperus Procumbens) — Approx. 20cm, ceramic pot
    Juniper Bonsai Approx. 20cm, ceramic pot

    2. Juniper Bonsai Tree (Juniperus Procumbens)

    Japanese Garden Juniper — the most forgiving of the traditional species, and the best first Japanese bonsai if you have outdoor space.

    View details & Amazon link
  3. Bonsai Tree, Japanese Maple — Acer Palmatum Deshojo, 25-30cm — 25-30cm
    Japanese Maple Bonsai 25-30cm

    3. Bonsai Tree, Japanese Maple — Acer Palmatum Deshojo, 25-30cm

    Deshojo is a named Japanese maple cultivar, chosen for its vivid red spring leaves. Needs shelter from harsh sun and late frost.

    View details & Amazon link
  4. Japanese Satsuki Azalea 'Nyohozan' Bonsai — Named cultivar, check listing for age/size
    Azalea Bonsai Named cultivar, check listing for age/size

    4. Japanese Satsuki Azalea 'Nyohozan' Bonsai

    Satsuki azaleas are grown in Japan for their flowers, with whole shows devoted to them. Wants moist, acidic soil.

    View details & Amazon link
  5. Zelkova Serrata Bonsai, 20-25cm Ceramic Pot — 20-25cm incl. ceramic pot (colour varies)
    Other Species 20-25cm incl. ceramic pot (colour varies)

    5. Zelkova Serrata Bonsai, 20-25cm Ceramic Pot

    Zelkova serrata, the keaki — the tree behind the classic broom-style shape. Easier than maple or pine.

    View details & Amazon link
  6. Artistic Acer Palmatum Bonsai (Japanese Maple) — Standard, ceramic pot
    Japanese Maple Bonsai Standard, ceramic pot

    6. Artistic Acer Palmatum Bonsai (Japanese Maple)

    A cheaper way into Japanese maple than the named Deshojo cultivar, with the same outdoor care.

    View details & Amazon link
  7. 30 Japanese Black Pine Bonsai Seeds (Pinus Thunbergii) — Seed pack (30 seeds)
    Pine Bonsai Seed pack (30 seeds)

    7. 30 Japanese Black Pine Bonsai Seeds (Pinus Thunbergii)

    Japanese Black Pine is the other great Japanese pine; we only stock it as seed, which is a long project.

    View details & Amazon link
How we pick these lists: every product above is a real, currently-listed item from our own 116-product catalogue — we don't add anything to a guide that isn't already on the site. See our general care guide for the fundamentals, or browse the full shop for everything else.