The Best Bonsai Tree Kits of 2024
Growing bonsai trees used to be a specialist hobby for experienced gardeners. Now, even inexperienced gardeners can try their hand at growing these tiny trees. Our team has put together a guide for the best bonsai tree kits to get you started on growing your Zen garden. There are various brands of kits presented here, but they are all perfect for beginners and come with all of the necessary tools for growing your miniature tree. This kit from Grow Buddha is number one on our list because of its high-quality bonsai pot, detailed instructions, and high seed germination.
Our Top Picks For Bonsai Tree Kits
View all ContentsThe Best Bonsai Tree Kits
Best Overall
The Grow Buddha Bonsai Tree Kit includes everything you need to start your zen garden. The kit comes complete with 4 biodegradable planting pots, 4 expandable soil discs, 4 types of bonsai tree seeds, 5 plant labels, 1 pair of bonsai tree clippers, 1 premium bonsai pot, 1 paperback instruction manual, and a comprehensive bonsai e-book.
The 4 tree types included are:
- The Japanese Red Maple, which grows into an umbrella shape. This species offers a unique and enchanting look that is easily recognizable.
- The Wisteria, which is an excellent choice for outdoor growing with a unique scent and thick trunk. It is relatively free of disease and pests and displays delightful purple blossoms.
- The Japanese Black Pine, a classic bonsai species that are popular in Japan. It is hardy with good resistance to varying conditions. The tree has thick long needles which can be kept short by regular trimming.
- Judas Tree, which offers a gorgeous display of deep pink flowers in spring when ready to blossom.
Pros
- The kit includes bonsai tree clippers
- Seed batches have been tested to ensure quality
- A bonsai e-book and paperback manual are included
- Biodegradable pots allow you to plant the tree in a bigger planter
Cons
- Only one large plant pot is included
Most Variety
The GARDEN REPUBLIC Bonsai Tree Kit is an excellent choice for anyone looking for an interesting and unique garden project. Featuring seeds for four different types of trees — Brazilian rosewood, Colorado blue spruce, flame tree, and black spruce — this set comes with everything you need to grow your own bonsai tree. You will receive four varieties of mini bonsai tree seeds, four soil disks, four burlap grow bags, four bamboo plant markers, bonsai shears, and a wood box that doubles as a planter, along with detailed instructions.
Besides the included tools and materials, this bonsai tree kit also comes with expert growing support to answer any questions you may have as a beginner. All of the seeds included in the kit are non-GMO, so you can rest assured that they are high-quality and tested for successful growth. With every purchase, Garden Republic offers their goal of making the art of growing plants simple and accessible for everyone as a veteran-owned family business focused on creating safe sustainable products.
Pros
- Four different types of trees
- Comes with soil disks, grow bags
- Creates adorable bonsai tree
Cons
- Different trees take different amounts of time to grow
Best for Beginners
The Nature’s Blossom bonsai tree kit comes with everything you need to grow beautiful bonsai from seeds to trees. The inclusive kit is ideal for beginner gardeners looking to embark on their green thumb journey — no extra tools or past experience required. It comes with 4 biodegradable gardening pots, 4 compressed soil discs, 4 non-GMO seed packets, 4 plant markers, and a comprehensive grower’s manual for extra support throughout the process.
This bonsai tree kit allows you to grow 4 different plant types to add variety and allure to your garden collection. The seed types include:
- Colorado Blue Spruce – This gorgeous bonsai is a narrow, cone-shaped conifer tree with horizontal branching and blue or green-toned foliage.
- Black Spruce – The fun and interesting shape of this bonsai tree adds a unique touch to any home garden.
- Rocky Mountain Juniper – This is a graceful, pyramid-shaped bonsai tree with narrow and scale-like foliage.
- Austrian pine – The branches on this bonsai tree sweep upward and outward and feature dense, dark green needles.
Pros
- Open-pollinated with a germination rate over 85%
- Seeds are ready for sowing without stratification
- The pots can transplant directly into the ground
- Included guide contains tips on sowing and growing
Cons
- Some find the sprouts extremely fragile
Best Non-GMO
Natureit’s bonsai tree kit allows you to grow gorgeous types of bonsai trees from scratch. The kit contains seeds for 4 types of trees, 4 biodegradable growing pots, 4 expandable peat soil discs, plant tags to keep track of your seedlings as they grow, and a comprehensive tree-growing guide.
The 4 tree types included are:
- Siberian Elm – Once mature the tree develops wide branches with round, small green leaves which turn extraordinary colors during autumn.
- Colorado Blue Spruce – This tree is a member of the pine family, native to the North American Rocky Mountain regions. The trees can last for centuries and are named for their silver-blue color attributed to a white powder that forms on the new pine needles.
- Black Spruce – Also a member of the pine family, these trees develop a trunk with rough and rugged bark which gives them a beautiful antique look.
- Loblolly Pine – The Loblolly Pine is an evergreen tree known to grow at a fairly fast rate.
Pros
- Open-pollinated, 100% non-GMO seeds
- The expandable peat soil discs contain fertilizers already
- Comes with biodegradable pots
- No experience needed
Cons
- No bonsai care tools (such as clippers) are included
Honorable Mention
This complete growing kit allows you to grow four different types of bonsai trees indoors. The kit includes biodegradable bamboo fiber pots, tree seeds, expandable nutrient-enriched soil pellets, plant markers, and a comprehensive instruction booklet. The coco coir soil pellets have a neutral PH and are nutrient-rich. They facilitate water retention and absorption, improving the growth rate.
The four seed types included are:
- Japanese Black Pine – This tree is native to Japan and is popular to grow as a bonsai. Its rough bark gives it a charming aged look.
- Silver Wattle – This tree is a fairly fast-growing evergreen compared to some other tree species. Once ready to flower it produces bright yellow blossoms.
- Jacaranda Mimosifolia – This sub-tropical tree produces long-lasting violet color flowers when mature.
- Black Spruce – Black Spruce naturally has a cone shape although this may change depending on how you trim it as it matures. It has blue-green foliage, and the bark has a pink tinge.
Pros
- The kit includes an instruction booklet with detailed step-by-step directions
- Every order comes in a wooden herb planter box
- Soil pellets are nutrient-enriched
- Bamboo fiber pots are robust and more durable than peat pots
Cons
- No bonsai clippers included
Most Reliable
This Japanese-style bonsai kit provides you with everything you need to grow four types of incredibly colorful bonsai trees from seed. The bonsai kit includes 4 x bamboo pots and drip trays, soil peats, fertilizer, and an instruction manual with pro tips.
The 4 seed varieties included are:
- Flame Tree – This tree has a natural umbrella shape and blossoms with bright red flowers making it an extraordinary display of color.
- Spruce – The spruce tree is an evergreen member of the pine family and a great option to grow as a bonsai.
- Bristlecone Pine – These pine trees are known for their long lifespan. They are resilient species and stand up well to harsh conditions.
- Jacaranda Mimosifolia – This sub-tropical tree produces long-lasting beautiful violet flowers when mature.
Pros
- Includes drip trays and fertilizer
- Non-GMO seeds and peat
- No experience needed
- Each seed is fresh and ready to germinate
Cons
- No bonsai clippers included
Also Consider
Planters Choice bonsai starter kit is a beginner-friendly all-in-one kit with 4 types of seeds stored in vials for protection. In addition to the seeds, your kit is geared with 4 x biodegradable pots, expanding-soil discs, 4 x bamboo plant labels, 1 x bonsai clipper tool, and an instruction manual. The trees can be kept indoors and outdoors although a moderate climate is suitable especially for the initial stages.
The tree types you will grow with this kit include:
- Rocky Mountain Pine and Norway Spruce – These pine trees are known for their long lifespan. They are both green with beautiful thick tree trunks.
- Flame Tree – This tree blossoms with bright red flowers making it an extraordinary display of color.
- Jacaranda –This tree blossoms in a violet flower display when mature.
Pros
- The kit includes bonsai tree clippers
- Biodegradable pots allow you to plant the tree in a bigger planter without disrupting the roots.
- No experience needed
- Magnificent color variety of trees
Cons
- The seeds need some preparation and soaking in hot water a day before planting, however, you will find all the instructions in the manual
Best Bonsai Tree Kit: A Buying Guide
The word ‘Bonsai’ means “planted in a container.” Bonsai is the Japanese practice of cultivating miniature trees in small boxes or containers. The art lies largely in the grower’s ability to shape the tree and contain its growth. However, when choosing the best bonsai starter kit for beginners, there are some aspects you will want to keep in mind to make sure your growing project is a success. Here is everything you need to know when choosing the best bonsai tree kit to match your preferences.
What to Consider When Choosing Bonsai Tree Kits
Time requirements
Caring for a bonsai tree is not a quick process. Early on it requires consistent watering and once mature enough it takes time and effort to prune and shape the tree. Be prepared to put in 20 minutes of work daily for your trees once they start taking shape.
Shape
The tree shape you choose will determine how much time and effort is required to care for it.
Formal upright bonsais look like natural full-size trees in a mini version. Informal upright bonsais have an upright trunk that curves as it rises. Other options are slanted bonsai trees that are grown at a 45˚ angle and the classic semi-cascade bonsai trees with a trunk that’s grown sideways at a 90˚ angle.
Space
Consider the amount of space you have to care for your trees. If you are keeping them indoors they need to be positioned so that they can get enough sunlight and so that you have enough room to prune and shape them.
Tree types
Bonsai starter kits usually include seeds for three or four different types of trees. Some kits have up to eight types. Since not every seed will germinate, make sure you pick a kit that provides a few seeds for each tree type.
Nearly any species of tree can be shaped like a bonsai, but some are better suited than others. Your kit should feature photos of the tree types included so you can choose a variety you like.
Tools
Although you won’t need specialist tools until your trees are well on their way, look for starter kits that include basic tools such as bonsai pruning shears and tweezers to avoid having to purchase these separately later on.
Instructions
Every kit should come with an instruction manual for its specific seed germination procedure, growing essentials, and tips. This can be a hard-copy manual inside your kits or an ebook. Some bonsai kits include both.
If you want a sneak peek of what your bonsai tree will sprout into, check out this video by the GrowBuddha.
People Also Asked
What tools do you need for shaping a bonsai tree?
Some tools used for shaping include pruning shears, bud scissors, a knob cutter, a root hook, a root cutter, training wire, and wire cutters.
Can bonsai trees bear fruit?
Yes, certain bonsai tree varieties, like citrus or figs, can bear fruit when properly cared for and provided with the necessary conditions for flowering and fruiting.
What is the best way to fertilize the soil for a bonsai tree?
You can use a liquid fertilizer solution mixed with water every 2-4 weeks during the growing season. For best results, do this after watering, and don't fertilize right after repotting a bonsai tree.
What type of soil is best for growing bonsai trees?
The most common types of soil used for bonsai trees are a mix of Akadama soil, peat soil, or Kanuma soil.
