Indoor plants have made their way through the hearts of several people, and now you can see them in every other house. Bonsais like Juniper, Chinese Elm, Ficus, jade plant bonsai, etc., are some of the common plants that are best-sellers of all times. Whether you are new to gardening or have been doing this for years, you must know how to keep your indoor bonsai plants in shape and maintain their beauty. In this article, we will look at the 10 most popular bonsai plants and also provide tips on how to become a professional gardener.

1] Japanese White Pine (Pinus Parviflora)

With its distinctive needles and elegant form, Japanese White Pine is a classic choice for bonsai enthusiasts. It is a coniferous evergreen tree also known as five-needle pine and can grow up to 15-25 m in height. People like to grow them because of their width and density, and they are loved as ornaments in parks and gardens.

Care Tips:

Watering: The Japanese White Pine mainly depends upon oxygen, and since it is one of the driest bonsai species, you must water it only when the soil is fully dried.

Sun Exposure: You can keep the tree in full sunlight because it can tolerate it, and the needle-like leaves need it to maintain their length and structure.

Fertilising: You must use organic fertilisers on a regular basis so that the Japanese White Pine can grow to its full length and gain an optimal appearance. You must make sure to avoid putting in nitrogen-rich fertilisers as this may damage the tree.

Pruning: You can prune the tree twice a year- mid-year and early fall. When you see the needles of the tree getting dry, broken, or falling, you must prince them and reduce the branches by about 50% to make them ready for the next season.

Pests/ Diseases: Although White pine is resistant to pests and diseases, it is usually attacked by aphid-like insects. So, you must put oil or registered treatment in place to address these wooly adelgid and keep them safe.

2] Bougainvillaea

Bougainvillea bonsai are cherished for their vibrant coloured bracts and tropical appearance. They are also known as paper flowers and are more like climber plants that can scramble over other plants and grow up to 1-12 m. These online bonsai plantsstay evergreen in rainy areas and are deciduous in the dry season. The flowers of the plant grow in clusters in several colours, such as white, pink, magenta, purple, red, orange, and yellow. People usually like to grow them near their front gate so that it appears as an arc over it.

Care Tips:

Watering: Bougainvillea does not require much water; hence, you must water it once a week. Later, when the plant is fully grown, the water requirement decreases as it tends to grow well in dryer soil.

Sun Exposure: Whether you are potting it on the ground or in the pot, you must make sure that the area receives sufficient amount of sunlight.

Fertilising: You must put some organic fertilisers in the soil from time to time until the plant is fully established.

Pruning: You can prune Bougainvillea at any time of the year, but the best time to do so is just before its blooming period. This helps you to shape the plant according to you and also prevents it from overgrowing.

Pests/ Diseases: Despite being highly resistant to pests and diseases, you can see aphids, spider mites, slugs, snails, caterpillars, leaf cutters, etc. on the plant. To prevent these critters, you must spray some insecticidal soap, neem oil, or narrow-range oil in a timely manner.

3] Dwarf Jade

You can grow jade plant bonsaiin hanging baskets, table pots, or other small containers that you want. These trees are good to keep indoors as they beautify your room and make it more lively. It is an evergreen succulent that can grow up to 15 ft. with white and pink flowers.

Care Tips:

Watering: Jade plants can survive without water for days, so there is no need to water it regularly. Water once the soil gets dry completely to avoid over-moisture.

Sun Exposure: These plants cannot be kept in direct sunlight for a long time, so you can keep it in an area that receives partial sunlight.

Fertilising: Fertilize the plant from spring to autumn months and put houseplant fertilisers once in it. However, you must stop fertilising it during winter so that it can grow well in your garden.

Pruning: Prune the tree when its soil is dry with a sharp sterilised knife, or pinch out the buds with your fingers.

Pests/Diseases: You can find spider mites and whiteflies on the leaves and stems of the jade plant, so to eliminate them, you can use insecticidal soap or cotton swabs dipped in alcohol.

4] Juniper

Junipers are commonly used for bonsai, with varieties like Juniperus procumbens ‘Nana’ being particularly popular for their rugged appearance. You can grow it in your garden as the bushes look attractive and can grow up to 6 inches to 130 feet.

Care Tips:

Watering: Water the plant every one or two weeks on normal days, but make sure to keep it moisturised when the weather is extremely hot and dry.

Sun Exposure: Junipers grow well when exposed to direct sunlight; however, when the heat is extreme, make sure to block excess sunlight to prevent damage.

Fertilising: During the spring season, put some slow-release fertilisers at the roots of Juniper trees so that they can grow to their full capacity.

Pruning: Junipers rarely need any pruning, so you can cut the dead branches or trim them into shape as and when needed.

Pests/ Diseases: Never overwater these plants or put them near apple trees, as fungi and other insects might cause harm. If you see any critters on the leaves or plant, then spray neem oil on it instead of chemical insecticides.

5] Japanese Maple

Japanese maple is known for its stunning foliage and graceful form, which makes it a favourite choice for bonsai artists. These are available in multiple colour shade ranges, such as green, red, orange, and purple. You can order this Japanese bonsai plant online and grow it on the ground in the garden or in a container/ pot indoors.

Care Tips:

Watering: Japanese Maple need to be watered regularly from the moment it is planted; however, you should allow the soil to dry during winter so that it won’t retain extreme moisture.

Sun Exposure: Too much direct sunlight can damage the leaves of the tree, and too little of it is also not good for the colour shade of the tree.

Fertilising: You can put low-nitrogen fertilisers during the spring season to help the plants grow to full length. As May arrives, you must stop fertilising them and wait for the next growing season.

Pruning: These trees don’t need pruning, but if you want to give them a particular shape, then you can trim the branches in the months of July and August.

Pests/Diseases: You must look out for stem canker, leaf spots, botrytis, root rot, fusarium, and mites when you plant a Japanese Maple in your garden.

6] Boxwood

Boxwood species like Buxus microphylla and Buxus sempervirens are popular for their dense foliage and sustainability for creating compact bonsai. These can be a great addition to your indoor plant collection when potted in a beautiful mud or ceramic container. You can also grow them in the garden and give them the shape that you want.

Care Tips:

Watering: Irrigate the plant deeply and regularly for the first two years, after which you can switch to deep watering once in 2-4 weeks.

Sun Exposure: Boxwood trees are good at taking full to partial sunlight; hence you must plant it in an area that receives enough light during the day.

Fertilising: Before the spring season begins, you can put all-purpose fertilisers to promote its growth.

Pruning: You can consider pruning them occasionally to remove dead or twisted branches or trim them hard to get the shape that you want.

Pests/Diseases: Boxwood mites, psyllids, and leafminers are common pests that can damage your plant, so you must use horticultural oils to address the issue.

7] Trident Maple

Similar to Japanese Maple but with smaller leaves, Trident Maple is valued for its autumn colour and fine branching. The tree can grow up to 25-35 ft. tall with dark-green leaves that are relatively small in shape. This bonsai is known to adapt to any condition and grow fast while being easy to maintain.

Care Tips:

Watering: You must water about 15 to 20 gallons of water every week during the first growth season, which gradually decreases with the passing of time as it can stand occasional drought.

Sun Exposure: Trident Maple needs a lot of sunlight for at least six to eight hours to grow fast, so you must plant it in a sunny location.

Fertilising: If the area where the tree is planted has alkaline soil, then there is no need to fertilise it; however, you can use acidifying fertiliser if needed.

Pruning: You can remove the dead, broken, or diseased limbs of the tree in summer and avoid doing it during winter or spring.

Pests/Diseases: Fungal disease can be fatal for trident maple, so you must use proper measures to address the issue, or you will have to remove the entire tree.

8] Chinese Elm

This species is highly adaptable and suitable for beginners because it has small leaves and responds well to bonsai training techniques. This is a great indoor bonsai plantthat you can keep at home to enhance the beauty of the room. It can grow up to a height of about 80 ft. and has fine branches with small leaves.

Care Tips:

Watering: You must avoid over or underwatering the tree because it can neither stand drought nor too much moisture. Water the pot once you observe that the top soil is dry, making sure that it reaches the root.

Sun Exposure: It is best to put the plant in a place that receives shadowed sunlight although you can keep it out in full sun during winters.

Fertilising: Combine organic and chemical fertilisers and nourish the tree during the growing season and avoid it in the cold winter season.

Pruning: Prune the shoots of the tree when it extends 3 or 4 nodes and trim them in order to make it dense.

Pests/Diseases: Spray appropriate pesticides to the tree because they are often infested by spider mites or scales to protect it.

9] Banyan

Banyan bonsai is one of the least maintenance trees that you can keep at home. You can order it from the online nursery and get it delivered to your doorsteps, but before that, you must know how to take care of the plant.

Care Tips:

Watering: Water the banyan bonsai tree only when you see that the soil in the container is dry while balancing the amount poured.

Sun Exposure: The tree needs appropriate sunlight to go to its full length, so you have to keep it in an area where it can receive direction light.

Fertilising: You must use organic liquid and chemical fertilizers in a balanced amount when it is a growing season for banyan.  Put it in the pot every two weeks for almost the whole year and once a month during winter.

Pruning: Banyan trees grow very fast, so you must prune them regularly when you see about 6 to 10 leaves on them.

Pests/Diseases: Mites, aphids, and mealybugs are some common insects that attack trees, so you must use insecticides to treat them.

10] Ficus

Ficus species such as Ficus retusa and Ficus microcarpa are favoured for bonsai due to their tolerance of indoor conditions and ability to develop aerial roots. These are sensitive to environmental changes and thus shed their leaves when they are moved to a new location because of adjustment.

Care Tips:

Watering: Water the plant thoroughly when about 50-70% of the soil gets dry, and make sure that excess water is drained out of the container.

Sun Exposure: Do not expose the plant to direct sunlight as it may damage the leaves; hence, place them somewhere that receives bright and indirect light.

Fertilising: Dilute general liquid fertiliser and give it to the plant every month in late spring and summer and stop fertilising in winter.

Pruning: Before the growth season begins, you must trim or prune the leaves and branches of the tree so that it can grow flawlessly and fast.

Pests/Diseases: When you see any signs of trees being attacked by mites, fungus, or critters, you can spray neem oil or other insecticides to protect your plant.

Conclusion

Now you can grow jade plant bonsai, trident maple, bougainvillaea, Japanese white pine, and more at home with ease with these care tips. Water, sunlight, fertiliser, pruning, and pests play an important role in the growth of these plants, so you must pay special attention to them.