Which variety of indoor bonsai should I choose? A guide to choosing a bonsai tree.

We know it can be a bit over-whelming when choosing your first bonsai. All varieties of bonsai are slightly different, so will need slightly different care and environments. Furthermore, each variety has different features and characteristics. Therefore, we have put together the table below to briefly explain the differences. This should help you when choosing a bonsai tree. Other varieties can also be kept indoors; the Ligustrum is a fast growing variety, and the Cuphea is a pretty flowering bonsai. Also, the Chinese Blush tree is a striking purple leaved bonsai which has hot pink summer flowers, and can be kept in a cool room.

A Summary of indoor varieties to help with choosing a bonsai tree

Variety	Ease of Care	Flowers	Fruits	Fragrance	Details	Symbolises	Image
Chinese Elm Ulmus parvifolia	Very easy	✗	✗	✗	Can be kept indoors or outdoors (protect from frosts). Fast growing. Very hardy.	Inner strength, wisdom & love
Fukien Tea Tree Carmona microphylla	Easy	✓	✗	✗	Prefers a warm room with a more consistent temperature. Doesn’t like to be too wet.	Courage & heart, love & devotion
Chinese Sweet Plum Sagaretia theezans	Easy	✗	✓	✗	Prefers a warm room with good daylight and humidity.	Creativity, new life & warm wishes
Ficus Ficus retusa	Very, very easy	✗	✓	✗	Very low maintenance. Very pest resistant. Slow growing. Thrives in rooms with low levels of daylight.	Health, fertility & Love
Jade / Money Tree Portulacaria afra	Very easy	✗	✗	✗	Minimal watering. Low maintenance.	Good Luck & Prosperity
Roseapple / Myrtle Syzygium buxifolium	Easy	✓	✓	✗	Fairly fast growing. Doesn’t like to be hard pruned – pinch out new tips regularly.	Love, Good Fortune & Joyful Living
Tree of a Thousand Stars / Snowrose Serissa foetida	Easy	✓	✗	✗	‘Hungry’ variety – must be fed weekly. Prefers a bright location. Fast growing.	Good Luck & Hope
Aromatic Pepper Zanthoxylum piperitum	Easy	✓	✗	✓	Prefers a warm position.	Healing, peace & Harmony

More Info on Choosing a Bonsai Tree

Chinese Elm

The Chinese Elm Bonsai (Ulmus parvifolia) is a hardy, evergreen tree with a graceful shape, twiggy structure, and small, serrated green leaves that turn orange or red in autumn. Its adaptability and resilience let you grow it indoors in bright light or outdoors in mild climates (with frost protection), making it a versatile choice. Easy to care for and quick to respond to pruning, it offers a rewarding bonsai experience.

Fukien Tea Tree

The Fukien Tea Bonsai (Carmona microphylla), a tropical evergreen from Southeast Asia, features small, glossy green leaves, white star-shaped flowers, and occasional tiny red berries. Its compact growth makes it a favourite for indoor bonsai. Textured bark and fine branching give it a mature, refined look even when young. It thrives in a warm room with steady temperatures and dislikes overly wet soil.

Chinese Sweet Plum

The Chinese Sweet Plum Bonsai (Sageretia theezans) is a subtropical species prized for its glossy, oval green leaves, which develop a reddish tint on new growth. Its reddish bark flakes off naturally to reveal pale, smooth patches, creating a marbled effect. In summer, it produces tiny white flowers, followed by small purple berries. This bonsai thrives in a warm, bright indoor spot and offers elegance, easy shaping, and year-round charm with seasonal variety.

Ficus

The Ficus retusa is a popular, resilient tropical bonsai known for its glossy, oval-shaped leaves and smooth grey trunk, which often develops attractive aerial roots. Its strong trunk taper, dense canopy, and compact growth make it perfect for creating a balanced, mature bonsai. Adaptable and forgiving, it thrives indoors in indirect light and tolerates various conditions. With low maintenance, high pest resistance, and slow growth, it does well in rooms with low daylight.

Money Tree

The Jade Bonsai (Portulacaria afra), also known as the Money Tree, is a charming, easy-to-care-for succulent. It features plump, glossy green leaves and smooth reddish-brown stems, with thick, water-storing foliage that gives it a lush appearance. Drought-tolerant and resilient, it thrives in bright light and needs minimal watering, making it an excellent low-maintenance choice for beginners. Symbolising prosperity, good fortune, and positive energy, the Jade Bonsai brings year-round vibrancy to any home or workspace.

Roseapple

The Roseapple Bonsai (Syzygium buxifolium), also known as Myrtle, is a fairly fast-growing species admired for its glossy green leaves, delicate white flowers, and occasional small, colourful berries. With its naturally elegant form and fresh, vibrant foliage, it makes a delightful ornamental bonsai. We would recommend regularly pinching out new tips to maintain shape and encourage bushy growth, as the Roseapple does not respond well to dieback. Hardy and adaptable, the Roseapple Bonsai is a rewarding choice for those who enjoy gentle, ongoing care and the seasonal charm of blossoms and fruit.

Tree of a Thousand Stars

The Tree of a Thousand Stars Bonsai (Serissa foetida) – A a fast-growing, evergreen beauty named for the profusion of tiny white, star-shaped flowers it produces throughout the year. Its fine, glossy leaves and delicate branching give it a refined, ornamental look. This particular variety requires plenty of nutrients, so please fertilise weekly to maintain its health and flowering potential. Preferring a bright location, the Snowrose thrives with consistent care, rewarding the grower with bursts of dazzling blooms and a graceful, airy canopy.

Aromatic Pepper

The Aromatic Pepper Bonsai (Zanthoxylum piperitum) is a distinctive and fragrant species valued for its vibrant green foliage, fine branching, and the refreshing citrus-pepper scent released when its leaves are touched. Known for its ornamental appeal and aromatic qualities, it prefers a warm position to truly thrive. With the right care and warmth, this bonsai develops an attractive, lively canopy.