“Bonsai is an art form, and like in all art, there are no rules. If you can keep your bonsai alive, then trust me, you have created a masterpiece!”
Generally, bonsai trees are grown to increase the beauty of the house, but what if bonsai trees can spread fragrance as well? Thinking of it, already giving me a spectacular sight with mesmerizing fragrance vibes!
Interesting isn’t it? But it’s not so easy. You might be having a lot of questions in your mind about growing the flowering bonsai trees. If you are a flower bonsai enthusiast, then trust me, you are in the right place.
In this article, I am going to discuss 10+ flowering bonsai trees and their basic needs. Let’s not make you wait any longer, check out below!
| S. No. | Flowering bonsai | Image | Description |
| 1. | Azalea |  | Azalea is a famous flowering bonsai. It produces gorgeous blooms and also can adjust to pot cultivation. |
| 2. | Bougainvillea |  | Bougainvillea is an evergreen shrub that produces clusters of flowers, which are trumpet-shaped. The flowers are also called paper flowers. |
| 3. | Prunus Mume |  | Prunus Mume is a good-looking tree that produces beautiful, fragrant flowers of white, pink, and red colors. It is a deciduous tree that produces fruits too. |
| 4. | Adenium |  | Adeniums are well-known for their vibrant blooms. These are well-suited for making bonsai trees because they can be easily maintained in pots. |
| 5. | Wisteria |  | Wisterias are trees that have a vining tendency. The flowers of Wisteria are grouped like racemes which they do not stand. They are slightly fragrant. |
| 6. | Hibiscus |  | Hibiscus are well-known for their large beautiful and colorful flowers that are often used in beverages and food items. They are also used as ingredients in herbal products. |
| 7. | Magnolia Stellata |  | Even the young Magnolia Stellata produces beautiful flowers. We can observe the flower in the winter and early spring season when the leaves are off. |
| 8. | Bahama Berry |  | Bahama berry is an evergreen and spreading shrub. Its leaves are fascicled and are slightly fragrant. Its flowers are tiny and cute. |
| 9. | Cape Honeysuckle |  | Cape Honeysuckle is an erect shrub that grows rapidly. The flowers are narrow and long and the leaves are small and serrated. |
| 10. | Crepe Myrtle |  | Crepe Myrtle is well-known for its beautiful and long-lasting flowers. These are considered ornamental plants. |
| 11. | Powder Puff |  | Although Powder puff is a tropical plant, it is often used as an indoor bonsai. The flowers are soft and resemble cotton balls. The interesting thing is that the leaves of Powder puff close at night. |
| 12. | Carmona retusa |  | Carmona retusa produces tiny and fragrant white flowers that are grown almost throughout the year. These plants also have some medicinal benefits. |
1. Azalea (Rhododendron) Bonsai tree
Azalea is scientifically called Rhododendron, which has a huge number of species. But only a few varieties of it are preferred in making bonsai trees, because of their efficiency in tolerating low light. Only Satsuki azalea and Kurume azalea are often made into bonsai trees and are very famous for their beautiful flowers.
Azaleas love being in a sunny spot and thrive in warm conditions. But it should be avoided by placing them outdoors during rains and afternoons in the hot summer while flowering because the flowers may get damaged. They can tolerate cold temperatures, but not less than 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Azaleas should be planted in a soil mix that is slightly acidic as they do not like direct tap water. It is better to filter your tap water before watering or you can try giving them rainwater.
But, remember these Azaleas do not like sitting in water for a long time. Also, do not water the plant until it needs to be watered. Furthermore, they do not like being dried. So, it is better to use a moisture meter.
You can use organic matter to fertilize your Azalea bonsai, otherwise, there are rhododendron fertilizers in the market which you can use for your plant. Fertilize them regularly soon after the flowering season is over. It helps in growing new shoots.
2. Bougainvillea Bonsai Tree
Bougainvillea is a pretty-looking shrub with clusters of flowers that resemble trumpets. The purple or magenta-colored flowers spread all over the tree which enhances the look of your house. There are many species of Bougainvillea and are natives of South America. Usually, these plants are fast-growing and low-care plants. Bougainvilleas can be grown easily at home with proper care.
It can be placed indoors, but you need to provide direct sunlight. It grows well in high temperatures. In the growing season, it is better to place it outdoors to encourage its growth. Use well-draining soil for filling the pot. Bougainvillea should be watered only if the soil gets dry. Do not over-water it as it may cause root rot. Repot it after every 3-5 years and use organic solid fertilizer.
3. Prunus Mume (Japanese apricot) Bonsai Tree
Prunus Mume is one of the rarest flowering bonsai that is well-known for its dark green foliage and beautiful flowers. These are the natives of China and Korea but are mostly grown in Japan. But now, these bonsai plants are grown all over the world and are considered ornamental trees. This type of tree is a tough tree and is resistant to some pests and diseases. It can tolerate cold temperatures and thus, it became suitable for making a bonsai tree. You can observe the flowering in late winters.
This bonsai needs to be placed in a sunny location. It grows well in direct sun but you should place it in a little shade in the middle of summer, as the flowering may get damaged. Also, it should not be left to frost in winter. It is better to bring your bonsai indoors if the temperature falls too low. Repot it after every 2-3 years. You can use a normal household soil mix. Fertilize it with a nitrogen-rich fertilizer, in springs and organic bonsai fertilizers in the early summer season.
4. Adenium Bonsai Tree (Japanese frangipani)
Adenium plants also called “The Desert Rose” are succulent plants that originated in Africa and Arabia. Like all the other succulent plants, Adenium has fleshy leaves and stems. It thrives well in light and produces beautiful pink and white flowers which make this plant very eye-catching.
This bonsai loves warm climates and should be placed in direct sunlight spots. It cannot tolerate very cold conditions, so it is better to place the plant indoors from the rainy to spring season under a grow light. The temperatures below 60 degrees Fahrenheit are not suitable for this plant. As it is a succulent plant, it needs more water. Water your bonsai Adenium tree once in 7-10 days. Remember, the soil must be slightly dry before watering. In summers, always use solid organic fertilizers and while growing them indoors, use a diluted liquid fertilizer to fertilize them.
5. Wisteria Bonsai Tree
Wisteria bonsai trees are beautiful trees that have vine-like characteristics and thick trunks. They produce fragrant, purple-colored flowers which make the tree more eye-catching to look at. These bonsai trees grow rapidly during the growing season. It needs much care and attention to grow as a bonsai. Different species of Wisteria have different colors of blooms, mostly seen are lavender, blue, and white-colored blooming wisteria.
This bonsai is suitable to place wisteria both indoors and outdoors if you care enough. It thrives well in direct sunlight. Remember to protect them from the strong winds. Also, this plant should be watered properly during the growing season. It is better to use a humidity tray for maintaining the humidity levels in dry conditions. Also, you can remove the tray if the soil is wet enough. It is better to use a special wisteria fertilizer or use a low nitrogen fertilizer as the tree absorbs nitrogen from the atmosphere.
6. Hibiscus Bonsai Tree (Hibiscus sinensis)
Hibiscus is a native of tropical and subtropical regions. You can find many colors of hibiscus flowers, depending on their species. They produce large and beautiful flowers and leaves that cover most of the tree. The hibiscus bonsai tree has dark glossy green leaves with contrasting light-colored trunks and colorful flowers that grab our attention.
As a tropical plant, hibiscus needs a lot of sunlight. But it is ideal to place it in a light shade during mid-summer. Bring them indoors in winters, as hibiscus cannot tolerate low temperatures, and keep them under plant lights. Water your bonsai regularly as it needs a lot of water. Fertilizing makes the hibiscus grow stronger and increases the leaf growth. It is better to use organic fertilizer for fertilization. You can also use a balanced liquid fertilizer but to improve the flower growth, use bone meal fertilizer.
7. Magnolia Stellata Bonsai Tree
Magnolia Stellata or Star Magnolia is an evergreen tree that is a native of East Asia or America. Many species of Magnolia produce large leaves and flowers which makes it difficult to make their bonsai.
Magnolia trees thrive in full sun and can tolerate very low temperatures, but they should not be left to frost in winters. It is better to keep the tree indoors on the nights of winter and in fall, to protect the flowers.
Water it enough, as the roots need a lot of water, but over-watering can make them water-logged causing root rot. It is better to water them with rainwater as they like a little acidic water of pH 5.5 to 7. Organic fertilizer must be used to fertilize it. Fertilization should be done once a month and you can also use diluted liquid fertilizer to fertilize your tree once a week.
8. Bahama Berry Bonsai Tree (Nashia inaguensis)
Bahama berry originally grows on the island of Inagua in the Bahamas. This type of plant looks very interesting with small and shiny foliage. They produce beautiful, fragrant, and white-colored flowers in clusters that make the plant even more eye-catching.
This bonsai mostly grows in warm climates and thrives well in direct sunlight. It should be left outside during winter. Water your bonsai bahama berry as much as it needs. Remember that your bonsai doesn’t like both over-watering and under-watering. You should use a moisture meter to know its water requirements.
Also, mist your plant regularly to maintain humidity. Fertilize twice a month during spring with a balanced liquid fertilizer that contains nitrogen to boost its growth. You can reduce fertilizing it on normal days but during winter, you can avoid giving it nitrogen to give it a rest.
9. Cape Honeysuckle Bonsai Tree (Tecoma capensis)
Cape Honeysuckle is a native of the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa. It has vine-like tendencies and is perennial. This plant is not a honeysuckle plant, but it attracts people with its good looks. It has dark green, shiny leaves, and a wide variety of colors of flowers. These flowers have sweet nectars that grab the butterflies towards them. They also produce small fruits for reproduction.
Cape honeysuckle bonsai trees love warm climates and should be placed in partly-shade locations to keep the moisture in the soil. Use the best quality soil mix for potting. Add the organic matter to the soil mix. Fertilizers encourage flowering. You can fertilize it with a bone meal to improve its growth.
10. Crepe Myrtle (Lagerstroemia) Bonsai Tree
Crepe Myrtle is a native of the sub-tropical regions of Asia and Australia. These trees produce vibrant flowers with contrasting light-colored peeling bark. It enhances the look of your home if you have one.This bonsai blooms better in full sun. Just place it in a sunny spot to get the maximum sunlight. It should not be left outdoors during the cold winters and in hot summers. Mist these plants regularly to keep the humidity. Water this bonsai thoroughly during the growing season and reduce watering in winters. Also, it is better to use a solid organic fertilizer to boost its growth. You can also use a diluted liquid fertilizer and make sure you feed it twice a month.
11. Powder Puff (Calliandra schultzei) Bonsai Tree
Powder puff bonsai is one of the best flowering bonsai trees. This plant looks great with the smooth, cotton-like flowers that grow with the small bright green foliage. You can see this plant in many bonsai gardens.
Powder puff bonsai should be placed in a sunny location. You should provide at least 6 hours of direct sunlight to it. Also, it loves to grow in hot climates and cannot tolerate temperatures below 65 degrees Fahrenheit. You can leave these trees outdoors but bring them indoors on the cool winter nights. Water them regularly and wait for the soil to get dry about an inch deeper to water it again. Furthermore, it needs regular fertilization. In the growing season, fertilize it once a week and you can use a liquid fertilizer.
12. Carmona Retusa Bonsai Tree
Carmona retusa is a monotypic genus that blooms beautifully and delicately and is white in color. These flowers spread a sweet fragrance and the leaves have some medicinal characteristics in which the powder of the dried leaves is packed as tablets.
Carmona needs at least 4 hours of direct sunlight. It follows the rule “the more the sun, the more the growth”. The interesting thing is that this plant can also be grown at room temperature but it does not like cold temperatures. Water your Carmona thoroughly 2-3 times a week. Do not over-water it and do not place it in a dry environment. Mist the plant in summer to keep it humid. Also, use a well-draining soil mix to plant it. Fertilize it with solid organic fertilizer regularly. Repot it once in 3-5 years.
Conclusion:
These beautiful flowering bonsai trees need a lot of care and you need some patience to grow them in your home. There may be some difficulty in cultivating these bonsai trees, but it’s worth it. Growing flowering bonsai trees in your home will help in improving the air quality and produce fragrance.
Once you start a bonsai tree in your home, you will feel amazed to see these magnificent beauties which you created with your hard work and labor. So, keep loving and keep growing your bonsai flowering trees as much as you can.
I hope this article is useful for you and if you have any doubts, please drop a message in the comment section down below!
Related Articles
- Top 10 Bonsai Tree for Sale in India
- Unique Bonsai Gifts: Perfect for the Plant Enthusiast
- Bonsai Tree in a Terrarium – An Ultimate Guide To Build Bonsai Terrarium.
- Redwood Bonsai Care Guide: How to Grow, and Bonsai For Sale
- Growing Kale Indoor From Seeds With LED Grow Light
- Best Bonsai Plants to Grow in Summer
