These bonsai tree types are easy to care for, indoors and outside.
And some are more suitable for either outdoor or indoor bonsai.
Learn the ins and outs of caring for bonsai with one of these easy-to-grow plants.
Credit:Carson Downing
But even beginners can successfullycreate their own bonsaiwith the right tree and a few simple techniques.
The best bonsai species to grow outdoors year-round are likely growing in your local area.
These hardy plants require a winter chilling period to thrive.
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Tropical and subtropical bonsai require moderate temperatures and must be grown indoors during cold weather months in most locations.
Ficus, jade plant, schefflera, and Chinese elm are popular tropical and subtropical bonsai species.
They are often grown outside in summer and thenmoved indoors when temperatures dipin the fall.
Credit:Matthew Benson
Outdoor Bonsai Trees for Beginners
Count on these hardy plant species to grow well outdoors year-round.
They need protection from harsh winter winds and extremely low temperatures.
Hardy bonsai are oftenoverwintered in a cold frameor surrounded by an insulatingmulch barrier.
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Like their wild counterparts, they must experience the cold and go into dormancy.
Growing Conditions:Grow Chinese elm infull sunor part shade.
It can be overwintered outdoors or brought into a cold but frost-free room.
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Grow Chinese elm outside in summer.
Watering:Water Chinese elm when the soil is dry to the touch.
Be mindful to water as soon as the soil is dry, saturating the entire root ball.
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Pruning Tips:Frequent pruning is necessary to create a strong web link of fine branches.
Plan to trim this bonsai tree punch in every few weeks.
Chinese elm benefits from wiring to create contorted and intriguing forms.
Credit:Carson Downing
Matthew Benson
Juniper
Juniper trees and shrubsare evergreen plants.
Their medium green to dark green foliage often turns bronze or purple when exposed to cold temperatures.
Count on the foliage to turn green again in spring.
Junipers grow fast and tolerate heavy pruning well.
Young juniper stems are often wired to create a striking silhouette.
Growing Conditions:Grow juniper outsideyear-round in bright light.
It grows best in morning sun and afternoon dappled light.
In hot regions, provide plants with afternoon shade for best growth.
Watering:Juniper grows well in soil that is allowed to dry out slightly between waterings.
Check the soil moisture before watering.
In areas with high heat and low humidity,mist plants regularlyto encourage healthy growth.
Bob Stefko
Pine
Often regarded as the most authentic bonsai tree species,pines are needled evergreens.
Choose a pine species that is hardy in your region for the easiest care.
Growing Conditions:Grow pine where it receives at least eight hours of direct sunlight daily.
Pine tolerates heat and cold well but might require protection in winter from harsh winds.
Watering:Good drainage is essential for pine.
Be sure the bonsai pot has drainage holes, and plant the pine in a bonsai planting mix.
Water when the soil is dry to the touch.
A second pruning usually occurs in the fall when surplus shoots are removed.
Japanese maples drop their leaves in the fall.
Growing Conditions:Japanese maples grow best in morning sun and afternoon shade.
Protect plants from big temperatures swings in a cold frame in winter.
Watering:Plan to water yourJapanese maple bonsaidaily during the growing season.
Pruning Tips:Japanese maple twigs and shoots are prunedyear-round to keep the branches small and delicate.
Ficus
The most popular indoor bonsai,ficusor weeping fig is widely available at big box stores.
Its oval, dark-green leaves are evergreen.
Fast-growing ficus is easy to train into the shape you want.
Growing Conditions:Ficus needs bright light to grow well.
Place it near a south- or west-facing window indoors.
In summer, grow it outdoors, where it will receive at least eight hours of bright light daily.
It will grow well outdoors when the temperature is above 60F.
Watering:Dont let the soil around the root zone dry out.
Water the plant frequently, allowing excess water to drain away.
To increase humidity, mist ficus frequently or set it in a pebble tray filled with water.
Pruning Tips:Ficus bonsai grow quickly.
Plan to prune every few weeks by cutting back lengthy stems so they have just three leaves.
Its thick trunk, branching habit, and good drought tolerance make it a great bonsai species for beginners.
Growing Conditions:Jade grows best in bright light or full sun when growing outdoors in temperatures above 45F.
Watering:Water jade lightly when the soil is slightly dry.
Because jade leaves store water, this bonsai species doesnt need as much water as many other species.
Schefflera
Unlike many bonsai species,scheffleracan tolerate periods of low light.
This makes it a good choice for your space if bright natural light is limited.
Schefflera has clusters of umbrella-like leaves on top of thin, woody stems.
Search out varieties with two-tone yellow and green leaves for added visual interest.
It is a forgiving plant species in terms of light.
Watering:Schefflera grows best when its soil is consistently moist but not wet.
Water when the soil is just barely dry to the touch.
Be sure to allow excess water to freely drain away.
Pruning Tips:Prune schefflera every few weeks to encourage miniature leaves to develop and direct growth.
Young shoots are flexible and can be wired to develop a unique shape.
