The art of preening and caring for bonsai trees traces its roots back to ancient China, and the rewarding experience of growing one is almost a meditative practice in the way it enriches your soul. Bonsai trees look beautiful and are good for your mental well-being, making them a wonderful choice of plant whether you’re a beginner or a green-fingered expert.
But where do you start when selecting a bonsai tree? Do you want a kit to grow your tree from seed, or do you simply want to tend to a plant that’s already flourishing? This buying guide will help you answer such questions and introduce you to the best bonsai trees for sale in the UK, all of which are available to order online from Amazon and John Lewis!
Growing a bonsai tree can be a rewarding experience. It's gratifying to watch your plant evolve from seed to tree, and nowadays, growing kits include everything from pots to tools. Tending to a bonsai tree can be time-consuming, however. Your plant requires consistent maintenance if you wish to keep it alive, and this isn't always ideal.
If you lead a hectic life, a ready-grown bonsai tree might be preferable. Here, someone else has already done the hard work for you, and you have a beautiful plant to enjoy immediately. Take note, however, that many people who purchase bonsai trees do so for the sense of accomplishment that comes from maintaining the plant.
It's not always easy to figure out from product images whether you're buying a plant or its seeds, but reading the product description will let you know for sure. Whether you should buy a bonsai tree or grow your own depends on how much free time you have and whether you want to enjoy your tree as an active or passive activity.
Getting into gardening? Check out these easy-to-grow flower seeds.
If you're new to the world of plants, you may be surprised to discover that the word bonsai doesn't describe a particular species of plant but rather an activity. Translating to 'tray planting' in English, bonsai is the Japanese art of growing and training miniature trees in pots, and this means there are hundreds of different plant species that qualify as 'bonsai trees'.
While the green ficus ginseng is essentially the poster boy, red, orange, and even purple bonsai trees also exist. It's certainly worth taking a look at the wonderful variety on offer before buying. And if you can't decide which one to go for, growing kits are available that include several colourful species in a single box.
There's a good reason bonsai is described as an art. While giving your tree the bare essentials of light and water will ensure its survival, there are additional steps to take if you wish for it to truly thrive. If this sounds daunting, don't fear, as there's no need for you to figure out these steps on your own.
Many bonsai growing kits are aimed at beginners and include detailed instructions that'll teach you how to help your plant flourish from seed to sapling. You'll learn a little about the history of bonsai trees, some of the terminology, and of course, how to keep it healthy. Some kits even include video tutorials, which are especially useful if you're a visual learner.
The best way to keep your houseplants happy is with a good indoor plant food.
A pot is essential for holding the soil that nourishes your plant, so every bonsai tree or seed you purchase comes with one, whether it's a ready-grown tree or part of a growing kit. However, pots come in various shapes, sizes and designs, which means they can significantly affect the overall appearance of your plant.
Therefore, it's always worth checking out what a pot looks like before you buy. Those looking to purchase a growing kit should also take care, as many include miniature biodegradable pots that, while perfect for seedlings, are not ideal as your plant reaches bigger sizes.
Take a look at the best indoor plant pots to repot your bonsai.
For those after a quick look, here is our Top 5:
This article’s chosen EC site price listings are reflective of its publishing date.
Image | 1 ![]() Simply Plant | 2 ![]() Tranquil Plants | 3 ![]() Pronto Seed | 4 ![]() Bonsai2U | 5 ![]() Grow Buddha | 6 ![]() Seikatsu Bonsai | 7 ![]() Bonsai2U | 8 ![]() The Little Botanical | 9 ![]() Grow Buddha | 10 ![]() John Lewis & Partners |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Name | Grown Your Own Bonsai Trees Kit | Bonsai Tree With Fertilized Green Moss Ball | 'Bonsai of the World' Grow at Home Kit | Chinese Elm Bonsai Tree in Black Ceramic Pot | Easy Bonsai Starter Kit | Japanese Maple Deshojo Bonsai | Chinese Elm Bonsai Tree Kit | Zen Bonsai Set | 8 Easy Bonsai Starter Kit | Artificial Bonsai Pine Tree |
Features | A Comprehensive Kit That's Made With Care | Create a Natural Display With This Kokedama Bonsai Tree | A Selection of Trees for a Range of Different Experience Levels | A Giftable Plant That Celebrates the Importance of the Bonsai Tree in Chinese Culture | A Four-Tree Set That’s Ideal for Beginners | Instantly Brighten up a Room With a Red Japanese Maple | Enjoy Your Plant Immediately With This Ready-Grown Tree | A Stunning Duo to Add a Natural Touch to Your Home | A Comprehensive Eight-Tree Kit to Suit All Preferences | A Simple Solution for Those With Busy Lives |
Price | £19.99 | £36.99 | £8.99 | £39.99 | £12.95 | £47.99 | £34.99 | £44.00 | £13.45 | £50.00 |
Grown Tree or Kit | Grow it yourself kit (80+ seeds) | Ready-grown | Grow it yourself kit | Ready-grown | Grow it yourself kit | Ready-grown | Ready-grown | Ready-grown | Grow it yourself kit (50+ seeds) | - |
Species | Wisteria, cherry blossom, red maple, Japanese cedar, black pine | Ficus ginseng in moss ball | Larch, sweet gum, pine, redbud, juniper | Chinese elm | Red maple, Japanese black pine, Judas tree, wisteria | Japanese maple | Chinese elm | Ficus ginseng and Sansevieria punk | Flame tree, pomegranate tree, eucalyptus, blue spruce, jacaranda and more | Pine |
Instructions | 46-page instruction booklet | No | Download to smart device via QR code | No | Free eBook | Care sheet | Care sheet | Care sheet | Instruction booklet and video tutorials | - |
Pot(s) Included | Self-watering seedling pots | Ceramic tray | Seedling pots made from recycled material | Glazed ceramic pot | 4 biodegradable seedling pots, 1 plastic pot | Ceramic pot | Ceramic pot and tray | Two ceramic pots | 8 biodegradable seedling pots | Ceramic pot |
Link |
This ranking has been compiled by the writing team at mybest UK via careful evaluation of the points made in the buying guide and thorough research of each product and comparing multiple verified customer reviews across the EC sites used.
£19.99
Grown Tree or Kit | Grow it yourself kit (80+ seeds) |
---|---|
Species | Wisteria, cherry blossom, red maple, Japanese cedar, black pine |
Instructions | 46-page instruction booklet |
Pot(s) Included | Self-watering seedling pots |
£36.99
Grown Tree or Kit | Ready-grown |
---|---|
Species | Ficus ginseng in moss ball |
Instructions | No |
Pot(s) Included | Ceramic tray |
£8.99
Grown Tree or Kit | Grow it yourself kit |
---|---|
Species | Larch, sweet gum, pine, redbud, juniper |
Instructions | Download to smart device via QR code |
Pot(s) Included | Seedling pots made from recycled material |
£39.99
Grown Tree or Kit | Ready-grown |
---|---|
Species | Chinese elm |
Instructions | No |
Pot(s) Included | Glazed ceramic pot |
£12.95
Grown Tree or Kit | Grow it yourself kit |
---|---|
Species | Red maple, Japanese black pine, Judas tree, wisteria |
Instructions | Free eBook |
Pot(s) Included | 4 biodegradable seedling pots, 1 plastic pot |
£47.99
Grown Tree or Kit | Ready-grown |
---|---|
Species | Japanese maple |
Instructions | Care sheet |
Pot(s) Included | Ceramic pot |
£34.99
Grown Tree or Kit | Ready-grown |
---|---|
Species | Chinese elm |
Instructions | Care sheet |
Pot(s) Included | Ceramic pot and tray |
£44.00
Grown Tree or Kit | Ready-grown |
---|---|
Species | Ficus ginseng and Sansevieria punk |
Instructions | Care sheet |
Pot(s) Included | Two ceramic pots |
£13.45
Grown Tree or Kit | Grow it yourself kit (50+ seeds) |
---|---|
Species | Flame tree, pomegranate tree, eucalyptus, blue spruce, jacaranda and more |
Instructions | Instruction booklet and video tutorials |
Pot(s) Included | 8 biodegradable seedling pots |
£50.00
Grown Tree or Kit | - |
---|---|
Species | Pine |
Instructions | - |
Pot(s) Included | Ceramic pot |
Household goods
PC and cameras
Home appliances and electronics
Cosmetics and skincare
Health
Food and drinks
Kitchen supplies
Clothing
Shoes
Accessories
Kids and baby
Interior and furniture
Hobbies
Outdoor
DIY and tools
Sports and fitness
Pets
Books, CDs, DVDs
Games
Cars and motorcycles
Gifts
Housing equipment and renovation
Travel
Smartphones and mobile phones
Music
Smartphone applications