The Top 10 Indoor Bonsai Plants for Beginners

Bonsai is the art of growing miniature trees in containers, It originated in Asia over a thousand years ago and has now become popular worldwide Bonsai trees require frequent pruning and wiring to maintain their compact shape This makes growing bonsai an engaging hobby,

If you are new to bonsai, it is best to start with an indoor bonsai tree. Indoor bonsai don’t need as much care as outdoor ones, and you can bring your miniature tree inside if the weather gets too bad.

Here are the top 10 indoor bonsai plants recommended for beginners:

1. Jade Bonsai

This is a succulent plant called jade plant (crassula ovata). It has thick, woody stems and bright green leaves. It naturally grows into a small tree shape, so it doesn’t need much training to look like a bonsai. Jade plants are extremely easy to care for. They thrive in bright, indirect light and need infrequent watering. These qualities make jade bonsai ideal for beginners.

2. Hawaiian Umbrella Bonsai

It’s also called schefflera arboricola. The Hawaiian umbrella bonsai has lush, dark green leaves that make it look tropical. This indoor tree doesn’t need much care and is pretty flexible about how much water it gets and how much light it gets. It can live with little light and irregular watering, but it does best with medium to bright indirect light. The resilient Hawaiian umbrella bonsai adjusts well to indoor conditions.

3. Ficus Bonsai

The ficus or fig family includes several popular indoor bonsai varieties like the tiger bark ficus, ginseng ficus, and Taiwan ficus. Ficus bonsai trees have glossy evergreen leaves and minimal care requirements. They grow well in low to medium light conditions. Allow the soil to partially dry out between waterings. The hardy ficus is great for busy beginners.

4. Chinese Elm Bonsai

Chinese elm bonsai have lovely gray bark and small serrated leaves that turn beautiful shades of yellow, orange, and red in fall. These deciduous trees go dormant in winter, so they require very little watering during that time. Chinese elm bonsai thrive in very bright light indoors. They prefer even moisture in the growing season. The Chinese elm is one of the best trees for indoor bonsai.

5. Juniper Bonsai

There are different types of juniper bonsai trees, such as the procumbens nana, the Chinese juniper, and the Japanese juniper. They have needle-like or scale-like evergreen foliage. If you can give them enough light, junipers make great indoor bonsai. Place them in a south or west-facing window. Allow the soil to partially dry out between waterings. Juniper bonsai trees can live inside for many years if they are taken care of properly.

6. Fukien Tea Bonsai

The Fukien tea tree or carmona microphylla has shiny dark green leaves and dainty white blooms in spring. It is native to China but grows well indoors. Fukien tea bonsai thrive in bright indirect sunlight. Water them frequently in summer and reduce watering in winter. Fukien tea bonsai have graceful movement and are easy to shape with wiring.

7. Ming Aralia Bonsai

Ming aralia is an indoor tree native to China, admired for its thick twisted trunk and dense foliage. It grows well in low to medium indirect light. Water frequently during the growing season, allowing the soil to partially dry out between waterings. Reduce watering frequency in fall and winter. The exotic look of Ming aralia bonsai makes it a unique addition to any indoor plant collection.

8. Ponytail Palm Bonsai

Despite its name, the ponytail palm is not a true palm but a succulent. Its swollen base stores water so it can tolerate some neglect. Ponytail palm has long, curly green leaves that emerge from the top like a ponytail, giving it a fun, whimsical shape. It thrives in medium to bright indirect light. Allow the soil to completely dry out between waterings. The ponytail palm makes an easy-care indoor bonsai.

9. Desert Rose Bonsai

The desert rose or adenium obesum is a tropical succulent that branches easily, taking on a bonsai shape with little effort. In summer, it produces showy pink or white flowers. Desert rose bonsai should be placed in the brightest window available. Allow the soil to dry out between waterings. Adequate light and dryness between waterings are key to preventing fungal diseases. The desert rose bonsai’s flowering habit makes it a joy to grow.

10. Bougainvillea Bonsai

Bougainvillea are vines that come in several bright colors like orange, purple, red, white, and pink. With regular pruning, they can be trained into compact bonsai shapes. Bougainvillea require maximum sunlight to thrive and bloom indoors. Allow the soil to partially or fully dry out between waterings. Give them a dose of fertilizer every 2-4 weeks in spring and summer. The vibrant colors and flowers of bougainvillea bonsai brighten any space.

When choosing bonsai plants for indoors, look for trees that naturally grow to a small size like jade, ficus, Hawaiian umbrella, and junipers. Go for hardy varieties that can tolerate low humidity and low light conditions indoors. Succulents like jade and ponytail palm are great beginner bonsai.

Start with young bonsai plants that are easier to shape and train. Read up on the specific care guidelines of the bonsai you select. Provide the required light, water, humidity, soil mix, and fertilizer to help your bonsai thrive. With the right tree and proper care, growing bonsai indoors can be extremely rewarding.