Which Plants Make the Best Bonsai Trees?
Bonsai trees are a type of tree that is sculpted and trimmed to be small in size. They are popular plants to have in homes and offices because they add a touch of nature to any setting, while also requiring very little care. There are many types of plants that can be used for bonsai trees, but some make better specimens than others.
So, In this blog post, we will discuss the best bonsai trees plants and why they make good choices. Let’s get started!
1) Cedar (Cedrus spp.)
Cedar is a popular plant to use for bonsai trees because it is adaptable to many different growing conditions and has a long lifespan. It is also resistant to pests and diseases, making it a good choice for beginners. Cedar can be grown in both indoor and outdoor settings, and it can tolerate both dry and moist environments.
One of the main reasons cedar makes a good bonsai tree is its natural shape. Cedar has a conical shape that is easy to sculpt into the desired style, and the branches grow slowly, making them easy to train. Cedar also has a deep root system that helps it withstand wind and storms.
Structure: Durable, Low-maintenance
Colour: Dark Green leaves.
2) Weeping Fig (Ficus Benjamina)
Weeping fig (Ficus Benjamina) is a popular indoor plant that is often used for bonsai trees. It is a tropical plant that originates from Asia, and it is the most commonly used species of fig tree in the world. Weeping fig is a hardy plant that can tolerate a variety of growing conditions, making it a good choice for both beginners and experienced bonsai growers.
Weeping fig has dark green leaves that provide plenty of shade, making it a good choice for indoor plants. The leaves are also resistant to pests and diseases, making them a low-maintenance plant. Weeping fig has a long lifespan and can grow up to 50 feet tall in its natural environment.
Structure: Sturdy, Well conditioning.
Color: Light/Dark-light Trunk color.
3) Dwarf Jade (Portulacaria afra)
Dwarf Jade (Portulacaria Afra) is a succulent plant that is native to South Africa. It is a popular choice for bonsai trees because it is easy to care for and has a long lifespan. Dwarf Jade can be grown in both indoor and outdoor settings, and it can tolerate a variety of growing conditions.
Dwarf Jade has green leaves that provide plenty of shade. The leaves are also resistant to pests and diseases, making them a low-maintenance plant. Dwarf Jade has a long lifespan and can grow up to 6 feet tall in its natural environment.
Structure: Robust, Adaptive
Colour Variation: Bright Green
4) Common Beech (Fagus sylvatica)
The Beech (Fagus sylvatica) is a deciduous tree in the family Fagaceae. The genus name Fagus is Latin for “beech”, while the species name sylvatic means “of the woods” or “forest”. The Common Beech is the most commonly found beech tree in Europe.
The tall straight plant has smooth bark with light tan fissures and lenticels. The young stems are green with pale grey pubescence and raised lenticels.
The leaves of the Beech are simple and alternate along the stem, ovate to lanceolate in shape. They have a serrated margin and an acuminate apex. The plant is one of the best options to make bonsai for the ages.
Structure: Majestic, Robust
Colour Variation: Dark Trunk Color with leaves that are light green and turn red.
5) Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum)
The Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum) is a deciduous tree that is native to Japan. It is a popular choice for the bonsai tree because it has a beautiful leaf colour and can grow in a variety of growing conditions. The Japanese Maple is also popular because it tolerates pruning well, making it an easy plant to train into any desired shape.
The Japanese Maple has green leaves with red veins that turn yellow in fall. It is the only maple species that is completely hardy to cold, making it a popular choice for bonsai trees. It also tolerates pruning well and can grow as many as five trunks from one root system.
Structure: Meditative, Robust
Colour Variation: Leaves turn red in autumn and yellow during spring. May lack autumn colour.
6) Boxwood Bonsai (Buxus sempervirens)
The Boxwood (Buxus sempervirens) is a popular choice for bonsai trees because it tolerates pruning well and can grow in a variety of growing conditions. It is often used to create formal upright styles and informal broom shapes. The leaves are dark green, small, and are often used on their own to give the appearance of an informal summer clip.
The Boxwood has small dark-green leaves that provide plenty of shade. It is one of the best plants for beginners because it tolerates pruning well and can be grown in a variety of growing conditions. The Boxwood can grow up to 3 feet tall in its natural environment and typically lives for 50 years when grown as a bonsai.
Structure: Meditative, Robust
Colour Variation: Dark Green
Japanese Boxwood Bonsai / Buxus Microphylla / Pruning and Shaping / May 2020
7) Hackberry (Celtis occidentalis)
The Hackberry (Celtis occidentalis) is a deciduous tree that can grow up to 70 feet tall. It is native to the northeastern and midwestern parts of North America. The Hackberry can tolerate a variety of growing conditions, making it an easy plant for beginners to grow successfully as bonsai trees.
Hackberry has green leaves that turn yellow in fall. It is one of the best plants for beginners because it tolerates pruning well and can grow in a variety of growing conditions. The Hackberry has a long lifespan and can grow up to 70 feet tall.
Structure: Meditative, Adaptive
Colour Variation: Golden yellow / Early Fall Coloration
What makes them good bonsai trees plants?
These bonsai plants tolerate pruning well and can grow in a variety of growing conditions. Timber Bonsai Trees are known to have a very long lifespan, making them excellent beginner trees because they are typically very easy to care for. These trees are commonly used in the tropics and subtropicals because they can tolerate a variety of growing conditions.
However, the beautiful leaf colour and ability to grow conditions make our listed bonsai plants perfect for beginners and advanced bonsai enthusiasts alike.
Conclusion:
Bonsai plants make excellent beginner trees because they tolerate pruning well and can grow in a variety of growing conditions. Our list of bonsai trees plants is known for their beautiful leaf colour and ability to adapt to various climates. Whether you live in the tropics or subtropics, these plants will be able to thrive in your environment.
So choose your option and make your own bonsai from it.