Finding the best bonsai trees doesn't have to be a challenge. These plants are fun to own and easy to care for, and even if you don't have a green thumb, you can still maintain a healthy bonsai tree.
Bonsai trees can thrive both indoors and out and make lovely decorations in any space. As miniature trees, most are reminiscent of an enchanted forest. With a little bit of creativity, adding stones and other small props and plants around your plant, you really can have a storybook oasis of your own.
The best bonsai trees will be those that fit your ideal of what comes to mind when you think of a bonsai tree. There really isn't one type that's the best. The best bonsai trees really come down to how easy they are to care for and if your environment fits their requirement for thriving and surviving.
Comparison Table
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About Our Review of the Best Bonsai Trees
There's a lot to consider when choosing among the best bonsai trees currently on the market. First, you have to consider style, then environmental conditions and care. To limit the stress of locating the best bonsai tree for you, let us help with our review. We'll evaluate 10 of the best bonsai trees now available, detailing their special features, care instructions, and more. We'll finally reveal our top pick that we recommend to anyone who's got their eye on a bonsai tree.
Product FAQ
1. What Is a Bonsai Tree?
2. What Are the Special Features of a Bonsai Tree?
3. What Climate Is Ideal for a Bonsai Tree?
4. How Do You Care for a Bonsai Tree?
5. How Long Can a Bonsai Tree Last?
How We Reviewed

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When we first started compiling our list of the best bonsai trees, we went straight to plant, home and garden, and décor blogs, where we could discover influencers and plant enthusiasts' top recommendations. After gathering a large group of the best bonsai trees, we headed to home goods, plant nurseries, and even florist websites to see if we could find bonsai trees that they were heavily marketing. To narrow down our search, we read customer reviews to pick out the very best.
From our curated selection of the best bonsai trees, we further looked into things like their unique features, size, age, and care instructions to get a complete view of why they were coveted by many.
Bonsai plants can be purchased through home supply stores like Home Depot and Lowes and online through marketplaces like Amazon.com.
Overall Price Range

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The general price range for our selection of the best bonsai trees goes anywhere from $ to $$ per plant.
We found that the lower priced bonsai trees generally included starter branches and not fully grown plants, which were common among the higher priced ones. Other things that affected costs are how elaborate the plant is and the species type.
What We Reviewed
Brussel's Live Golden Gate Ficus Indoor Bonsai Tree
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Features
This bonsai tree can thrive indoors or outdoors so it's a year-round plant. It comes in a decorated ceramic pot that's ready for gifting or displaying on your desk or shelf. It's in the ficus family of bonsai plants and has a strong, gray trunk that supports small, dark green oval foliage.
Age
This bonsai tree is four years old.
Size
This bonsai tree is five to eight inches tall.
Health
This bonsai tree is grown in a state-of-the-art greenhouse under controlled conditions to achieve optimal health.
Maintenance
This tree is an indoor plant, but can thrive outdoors in warm, sunny weather. To best care for it, make sure it's in sunlight throughout the day. If sunlight is not available, a grow light is another option. If outside, when temperatures drop to 55 degrees or below, bring inside. Don't allow plant to freeze.
Water tree every two to three days; do not let it dry out. If the tree is outdoors regularly, water daily since wind can dry it quickly.
Trim periodically to keep its shape. Repot every four years due to growth, and fertilize with organic slow-release fertilizers to ensure it receives the nutrients needed to maintain health. Also, don't forget to spray the trunk and foliage to keep it clean from dust.
- where to buy
Bonsai Tree Pot Baby Groot
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Features
This does not include the bonsai tree, but it's a pot that can support one. This pot is highly detailed and is made out of high quality resin. It will not lose its color or vibrancy by being in the sun, rain, and snow for long periods of time. It has a one-inch drainage hole and is ideal for bonsai in training.
Age
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Size
This pot measures 6.5 inches tall.
Health
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Maintenance
This pot is easy to maintain. Simply wipe with a damp cloth periodically to remove dust and dirt.
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Penn Plax Bonsai Tree on Rocks Aquarium
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Features
If you simply love the look of bonsai plants but don't have the time to care for them, this artificial plant, made of non-toxic resin, is ideal. It's specifically designed to add greenery for fish tanks. It can stay in salt and fresh water, and its branches and leaves are spaced enough for fish to swim between them.
Age
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Size
This bonsai tree is 8 x 9 x 14 inches.
Health
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Maintenance
This artificial bonsai tree is easy to maintain. It can go directly in the fish tank upon arrival or be trimmed to suit your preferences before placing in a tank.
- where to buy
Zen Reflections Juniper Bonsai
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Features
This plant is born to thrive outside, though during certain times of the year and for short periods of time, it can live indoors with proper care. This bonsai plant is popular in Japan, and has the same life cycle as a regular tree, being able to live for hundreds of years. This plant comes in a seven-inch glazed clay pot.
Age
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Size
This bonsai plant is 14 x 6 x 4 inches.
Health
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Maintenance
This bonsai tree requires regular pruning and trimming to maintain its shape and structure. It also requires periodic watering, but make sure not to over-water since that can ruin the plant. Other things that must be maintained regularly are fertilizing to ensure proper nutrients and repotting when the roots get too big.
This plant is also an outdoor plant that requires adequate sun to survive. Though it can stay inside for periods of time, only do so for a few days. It must be outside to ensure it receives proper nutrients. Keep the plant in an area outside that's sheltered from harsh wind and weather, such as rain, and where it can get at least six hours of sunlight. In the winter, keep in a garage or shed.
The tree will go into dormancy where its leaves will turn brown, but water as normal, about every two to three weeks. In the spring, the leaves will turn green again.
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Bonsai Dragon Willow Tree
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Features
This bonsai plant has naturally curly branches and leaves. They grow very fast, from a tree stump to a fully mature willow tree, within a month. This tree arrives as one root, ready for planting.
Age
This bonsai plant arrives in its young state, not yet a tree, but a trunk ready to be planted.
Size
This is a trunk ready to be planted, so there is no size to it as yet.
Health
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Maintenance
This bonsai tree arrives in its trunk form with roots started. These trunks should be placed in a tall cup of water within 48 hours. They can survive in a cup for weeks until they are ready to be placed outside or in a pot.
They require direct sunlight or partial light since they don't thrive in complete shade.
- where to buy
Brussel's Live Green Mound Juniper Outdoor
Bonsai Tree
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Features
This is a low growing bonsai tree that produces lush foliage with small silvery blueberries. It can live indoors or outdoors, but thrives outdoors and must be outside in sunlight regularly in order to maintain its health. This plant comes with a decorative container that's ideal for tabletops and shelves.
Age
This bonsai tree is three years old.
Size
This bonsai tree is four to six inches tall.
Health
This bonsai tree is grown in a state-of-the-art greenhouse under controlled conditions to achieve optimal health.
Maintenance
This plant thrives outdoors, but can stay indoors for short periods of time. Upon arrival, keep the plant in a shady area for a week to adapt. Then place in an area that gets morning sun and afternoon shade. Patios, balconies, and decks are perfect spots for this plant. Keep indoors no longer than five days.
Water daily in the summer, spring, and fall, and every few days during the winter. Do not let this bonsai plant dry out. Trim and repot as needed, and administer fertilizers, such as an organic slow-release fertilizer to supply nutrients to maintain health. To keep clean, spray trunk and leaves periodically.
During the winter, this plant can stay outside with its roots protected. Cover the pot and soil with mulch or pine needles. Place where the sun can reach it and when the temperature gets below zero, store this plant in a shed, garage, or basement.
- where to buy
9Greenbox Best Gift Bonsai Juniper Tree
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Features
This bonsai tree is the easiest to care for of bonsai trees. If you're a beginner in owning a bonsai plant, this is the one to get. This tree has high adaptability and can survive indoors and outdoors. Keeping this plant indoors can also aid in purifying the air. This tree can last for hundreds of years since it shares the same lifespan of a regular tree. It comes in a ceramic pot.
Age
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Size
This bonsai plant is 18 x 6 x 6 inches.
Health
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Maintenance
This bonsai tree requires regular pruning and trimming to maintain shape and structure. It also requires periodic watering, but make sure not to over-water since that can ruin the plant. Other things that must be maintained regularly are fertilizing to ensure proper nutrients and repotting when the roots get too big.
This plant can be slightly dry, but not dry for long periods of time. It should be in a pot that allows for proper drainage, so the soil is not overly wet.
- where to buy
9GreenBox Chinese Elm Bonsai Tree
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Features
Native to East Asia, this plant can grow up to 60 feet. It's also popular for bonsai training because it's forgiving. It has a solid trunk that's cracked in a dark grey color mixed with red and cream. The leaves are small, dark green, and look like shiny leather. These trees can thrive indoors or outdoors. The plant comes in a ceramic vase.
Age
This bonsai tree is 10 years old.
Size
This bonsai tree is around 10 to 12 inches tall.
Health
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Maintenance
This bonsai tree prefers warm climate, similar to that of East Asia where it originates.
During the winter, keep the plant protected to avoid damage from frost. The leaves will fall, but will grow back in the spring.
Since this plant grows fast, trim regularly; however, let the shoots reach up to four nodes, then cut back to one or two leaves.
Prune branches during the fall, when it's best to do so.
- where to buy
Brussel's Live Chinese Elm Outdoor Bonsai Tree
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Features
This bonsai plant is made for the outdoors, though it can survive indoors for short periods of time. Its bark is dark gray and reddish brown and becomes split and corky as it matures. Its leaves are delicate and oval with a bright green color. It comes in a decorative container.
Age
This bonsai tree is five years old.
Size
This bonsai tree is six to eight inches tall.
Health
This bonsai tree is grown in a state-of-the-art greenhouse under controlled conditions to achieve optimal health.
Maintenance
When this bonsai tree arrives, leave it in a shady area to adapt, then move it to an area where it can get morning sun and afternoon shade. You can bring this plant indoors for short periods of time, but it thrives outdoors, so don't leave inside longer than five days. Water it daily during summer, fall, and spring, and every few days during the winter. Do not allow the soil to dry completely. Keep it in a drainage pot where excess water can escape.
Repot it every five years. Apply fertilizer to the plant, such as water-soluble and time-release fertilizers to ensure plant maintains optimal health. Spray trunk and foliage to maintain cleanliness. During the winter, this plant can stay outside with its roots protected. Cover the pot and soil with mulch or pine needles. Place it where the sun can reach it and when the temperature gets below zero, store this plant in a shed, garage, or basement.
- where to buy
Brussel's Live Money Tree Indoor Bonsai
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Features
This is a water chestnut tree that's made into a bonsai evergreen tree. It has light green foliage and a braided trunk that's sturdy. It's also known as a money tree and symbolizes good luck. It comes as a single tree in a ceramic pot, but is actually five braided trees together.
Age
This bonsai plant is four years old.
Size
This bonsai plant is 10 to 14 inches tall.
Health
This bonsai tree is grown in a state-of-the-art greenhouse under controlled conditions to achieve optimal health.
Maintenance
This plant initially sheds up to 20% of its leaves as it settles. It prefers to be in a sunny area, and can stay outside on the patio, balcony, or deck during warmer months. However, bring it indoors once the temperature drops to 55 degrees or less.
Water every two to three days and never allow the soil to completely dry out. Trim as needed and repot every four to five years. Make sure you administer a water soluble or time-release fertilizer to maintain its health, and spray its leaves and trunk to keep it clean.
- where to buy
The Verdict
We could definitely live with every plant in our selection of the best bonsai trees. All of them offered qualities that are admirable and will enhance any space. But if you're not planning on buying all 10 bonsai plants, then we can help end your search with our top recommendation. That is the 9Greenbox Best Gift Bonsai Juniper Tree.
This tree is designed with novice bonsai owners in mind. It's very flexible, adapting to changing environments, indoors and out. Plus, it can purify the air of your indoor living spaces, who wouldn't want that?
Best of all, it's easy to care for. It can survive being dry for short periods of time, so if you forget to water it for a while, it won't die on you. It's also a tree that's born to last through several generations if you maintain it. That's nice if you want to pass this down to future bonsai tree lovers in the future.
At its price point, it's a great investment when it comes to plants. It delivers far more value than its price, giving you a piece of nature's beauty to brighten any space.
Featured Image source: Pixabay
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