Indoor /Outdoor Bonsai

Certain varieties of sub-tropical bonsai can be kept either indoors or outdoors. If kept indoors refer to our 'indoor bonsai care' section. If outdoors refer to our 'outdoor bonsai care' section. But all bonsai benefit being outdoors as much as possible during the summer months.  But do not move your bonsai from indoors to outdoors in cold weather.

Rhododendron Indicum / Azalea

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This variety of bonsai is one of the most spectacular of all the varieties .It is one of the most popular trees to be grown as bonsai in China and Japan, and greatly cherished.  It has evergreen glossy leaves, although some shedding can occur if kept outdoors in a cold environment. Flowers in April/ May/ June with flamboyant bright pink flowers. Quite easy to care for. Needs partial shade. Protect from frost, if kept outside in winter and  protect from heavy rain while flowering. Give plenty of water throughout the year with less in the winter. Use rain water or soft water as much as possible and never let  the soil dry out. Spray foliage when finished flowering in Summer. Use acid free compost when repotting.

Chinese Elm. Ulmus Parviflora. 

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Native of China, Korea and Japan this is one of the easiest to care for, and most popular of the indoor/ outdoor bonsai. It has tiny leaves and a compact growth, perfect for bonsai cultivation. If kept indoors the tree is evergreen, but if outdoors, it may loose leaves during the winter months. This variety is probably the most 'tree like' of the sub- tropical varieties. Suitable for bright areas indoors, cool conservatories and sheltered gardens. See our ' Bonsai Care' pages for further details. 

   ​​European Olive / Olea Europaea.

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,Suitable for sunny positions indoor or outdoor, the European Olive make one of the loveliest trees as bonsai.These trees develop wonderful  thick gnarled trunks and can live many years. Tiny shiny, green, waxy leaves throughout the year, with fruit and flower possible as it matures. Easy to care for and is tolerant of cool or warm condition, once it received good light. Likes lots of sun but will not tolerate frost if outdoors in winter. 



​Firethorn / Pyracantha Angustifolia

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 Most originate i from China but some from other tropical region like the Philippines. Glossy ,evergreen leaves with thorns .Beautiful sprays of frothy white flowers in spring are followed by bright red/ orange berries in autumn.So there is always something spectacular going on with this tree throughout the year. Needs to be kept moist at all times particularly when the berries have ripened.
Should be outdoors in spring to allow the insects to pollinate the flowers, and likes some sunshine in the summer outdoors, to ripen the berries. Keep indoors in winter between 5 and 22 degrees C.

Chinese Privet/Ligustrum.

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 The Chinese Privet is an excellent subject for indoor/outdoor bonsai cultivation. This hardy, evergreen tree with easily twisted trunk and light green, shiny leaves, has the ability to look much older than it's true age, and develops a thick, mature trunk very rapidly. Very easy to train into traditional bonsai shapes. It does need lots of water, so a good subject for those who tend to over water their plants. Suitable for shady, cool areas indoors and out.. See our 'Indoor Bonsai Care' section for further details or ' Outdoor Bonsai Care '.

Buddist Pine/ Podocarpus

Originally from far east , China and Japan.Tough , hardy little evergreen. One of the few conifers that can be kept indoors. Easy to care for and train in to interesting shapes. It has spicky dark green yew-like foliage and will take a shady, cool position indoors in winter. Some sun outdoors in summer will keep it healthy. Keep soil moist and spray leaves in summer.