If you are considering buying a bonsai tree, we can help guide you through the process. When considering all the factors, we often get asked what the average bonsai tree height is.
Actually, there is no standard height, length, width or weight of a bonsai because there are so many species. But we can certainly describe the most popular types. On that note, how big do bonsai trees get?
Bonsai trees are miniature trees grown in containers. But just how small are bonsai trees? The height of a bonsai depends on the species, age, and cultivation techniques used. Let’s take a look at how tall bonsai trees get.
Bonsai Tree Size Classifications
Bonsai trees are classified into different size categories based on their height and container size
- Miniature (mame): 2-6 inches tall
- Small (shohin): 6-10 inches tall
- Medium (chuhin): 10-18 inches tall
- Large (ōkata): 18-48 inches tall
- Imperial: 4-6 feet tall
The most common size for bonsai is the medium or chuhin classification, around 10-18 inches in height Imperial bonsai are rare and take decades to cultivate.
Typical Bonsai Tree Heights
The typical height of a bonsai depends on the species. Here are some common heights for popular bonsai trees:
- Japanese maple: 8-36 inches
- Juniper: 8-24 inches
- Pine: 12-36 inches
- Ginkgo: 15-40 inches
- Ficus: 6-48 inches
- Chinese elm: 12-48 inches
- Bald cypress: 24-36 inches
As you can see, bonsai can range from just a few inches tall for a miniature specimen to 3-4 feet for a large tree. Ficus in particular varies greatly in size.
Factors Affecting Bonsai Tree Height
Several key factors influence the maximum height a bonsai tree can reach:
Species
Some tree species are naturally small while others grow quite large. For example, Shimpaku juniper rarely exceeds 1-2 feet in nature. Meanwhile, a Chinese elm can grow over 60 feet tall if left unpruned. Selecting a naturally small tree species limits the height potential.
Age
Older bonsai are larger than young ones. A bonsai started from seed or as a cutting will take many years to reach maturity. Imperial bonsai over 4 feet tall can be 80-200 years old.
Cultivation Techniques
Regular pruning, root reduction, and pot size restriction are key to limiting a bonsai’s growth. Bonsai that are allowed to grow wild quickly surpass the desired compact size. Careful maintenance keeps bonsai diminutive.
Growing Conditions
Ideal growing conditions lead to faster growth. Bonsai kept outdoors in full sun with ample water and fertilizer will grow taller than those cultured indoors. Providing less than optimal conditions slows height increase.
Achieving Shorter Bonsai Trees
For bonsai hobbyists wishing to limit tree size, here are some tips:
- Select slow growing species that naturally stay small like shimpaku juniper.
- Start with young plant material no more than 3 years old.
- Use small, shallow pots to restrict root growth.
- Prune back new shoots and branches frequently to manage foliage.
- Limit use of fertilizer to avoid excessive new growth.
- Keep trees partly shaded rather than in full sun.
- Maintain bonsai as indoor plants to slow growth.
- Repot annually to trim back root mass as needed.
Allowing Bonsai to Reach Full Height Potential
On the other hand, bonsai artists striving to create large, imperial specimens should:
- Choose tall tree species with large growth habits.
- Begin with partially trained, mature bonsai.
- Use large, deep containers.
- situate outdoors in full sun.
- Water and fertilize regularly to nurture growth.
- Allow branches and trunks to thicken and extend.
- Repot every 2-3 years as roots expand.
With proper care over decades, even a modest starter bonsai can become an impressive, imperial style tree.
What Is the Tallest Bonsai Tree?
Located in Akao Herb & Rose Garden in Atami, Japan, the tallest bonsai tree is a Red Pine. It’s not just the largest, but oldest bonsai in the world, aged at least 600 years. It measures 16 feet tall and 30 feet wide.
How Big Do Bonsai Trees Get?
The average bonsai tree height is between six inches to three feet.
If they are kept indoors and regularly pruned, they are likely to be smaller. Whereas, outdoor or wild bonsais can grow more than 10 metres.
But how big do bonsai trees get considering individual species?
- Aralia (Ming Aralia/Polyscias): between 1 m and 2 m (3 ft to 7 ft)
- Azalea (Rhododendron): between 1.2 m and 1.5 m (4 ft to 5 ft)
- Bamboo (Bambusoideae): between 4.6 m and 7.6 m (15 ft to 25 ft)
- Bougainvillea (Bougainvillea): between 1 m and 9 m (3 ft to 30 ft)
- Box or Boxwood (Buxus): 5 m (16 ft)
- Brazilian Rain Tree (Pithecellobium tortum): between 3 m and 6 m (10 ft to 20 ft)
- Brush Cherry (Eugenia myrtifolia/Syzygium): 15 ft to 40 ft
- Camellia (Camellia): 8 m (26 ft)
- Citrus or Lemon (Citrus limon/sinensis): 1.8 m (6 ft)
- Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster): between 6 m and 8 m (20 ft to 26 ft)
- Crepe Myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica): 3 m (10 ft)
- Dwarf Jade (Crassula or Portulacaria): 3 m (10 ft)
- Eucalypt (Eucalyptus): 10 m (33 ft)
- Ficus (Ficus retusa/Ginseng/Fig): 2 m (6 ft)
- Firethorn (Pyracantha): between 3 m and 4 m (10 ft to 13 ft)
- Fuchsia (Fuchsia): 0.3 m (1 ft)
- Hawaiian Umbrella (Schefflera arboricola): between 1.8 m and 7.6 m (6 ft to 25 ft)
- Hibiscus (Hibiscus): 2 m (6½ ft)
- Japanese Holly (Ilex crenata): 4 m (13 ft)
- Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum): between 1 m and 8 m (3¼ ft to 26 ft)
- Juniper (Juniper): between 20 m and 40 m (66 ft to 131 ft)
- Juniper (Juniperus): 10 m (33 ft)
- Jasmine (Gardenia): between 0.3 m and 3 m (1 ft to 10 ft)
- Lilac (Syringa): 4 m (13 ft)
- Money Tree (Pachira aquatica): 3 m (10 ft)
- Myrtle (Myrtus communis): 2.5 m (8 ft)
- Olive (Olea europaea): between 4.5 m and 9 m (15 ft to 30 ft)
- Privet (Ligustrum): between 1 m and 4 m (3 ft to 13 ft)
- Premna (Premna): 9 m (30 ft)
- Rosemary (Rosmarinus): between 0.6 m and 1.8 m (2 ft to 6 ft)
- Snow Rose (Serissa): between 0.1 m and 0.3 m (0.32 ft to 1 ft)
- Sweet Plum (Sageretia theezans): between 2 m and 3 m (7 ft to 10 ft)
- Tamarind (Tamarindus indica): 20 m (65 ft)
- Wattle (Acacia): 3 m (10 ft)
- Water Jasmine (Wrightia religiosa): 6 m (20 ft)
- Apple and Crabapple (Malus) 10 m (33 ft)
- Ash (Fraxinus) 35 m (115 ft)
- Baobab (Baobab) between 5 m and 30 m (20 ft to 100 ft)
- Birch (Betula) 0.3 m (1 ft)
- Cherry (Prunus/Sakura) 2.5 m (8 ft)
- Chinese Elm (Ulmus parviflora) between 8 m and 18 m (26 ft to 59 ft)
- Chinese Pepper (Zanthoxylum piperitum/Xanthoxylum) 2 m (6 ft)
- Chinese Quince (Pseudocydonia) between 5 m and 6 m (16 ft to 20 ft)
- Desert Rose (Adenium obesum) 3 m (10 ft)
- Dogwood (Cornus) 10 m (33 ft)
- Dwarf Flowering Quince ‘Chojubai’ (Chaenomeles speciosa) (4 ft)
- Flame Tree (Delonix regia or Royal Poinciana) 10 m (33 ft)
- Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba) between 20 and 50 m (66 ft to 165 ft)
- Hackberry (Celtis) between 9 m and 15 m (30 ft to 50 ft)
- Hawthorn (Crataegus) 15 m (49 ft)
- Hornbeam and Beech (Carpinus/Fagus) 30 m (98 ft)
- Jabuticaba (Plinia cauliflora/Jaboticaba) between 11 m to 12 m (35 ft to 40 ft)
- Jacaranda (Jacaranda mimosifolia) 20 m (66 ft)
- Japanese Elm (Zelkova) 20 m (66 ft)
- Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum) between 1 m and 8 m (3¼ ft to 26 ft)
- Japanese Winterberry (Ilex serrata) (8 ft)
- Judas Tree (Cercis) 10 m (33 ft)
- Mulberry (Morus) 10 m (32 ft)
- Oak (Quercus) between 20 m and 40 m (66 ft to 131 ft)
- Pomegranate (Punica granatum) between (6 ft to 20 ft)
- Rose (Rosa) 2 m (6.6 ft)
- Silk Tree (Albizia or Silk Mimosa) between 5 m and 7 m (16 ft to 23 ft)
- Sophora (Sophora japonica) between 3 m and 10 m (10 ft to 33 ft)
- Star Magnolia (Magnolia stellata) between 3 m and 6.1 m (10 ft to 20 ft)
- Sweetgum (Liquidambar) between 25 m and 50 m (82 ft to 164 ft)
- Trident Maple (Acer buergerianum) between 7 m and 12 m (23 ft to 39 ft)
- Weeping Willow (Salix) 15 m (49 ft)
- Wisteria (Wisteria) 10 m (33 ft)
Bonsai trees for Beginners
FAQ
How tall do indoor bonsai trees get?
The average bonsai tree height is between six inches to three feet. If they are kept indoors and regularly pruned, they are likely to be smaller. Whereas, outdoor or wild bonsais can grow more than 10 metres.
What is the lifespan of a bonsai tree?
How much is a 400 year old bonsai tree?
The loot included a rare 400-year-old shimpaku tree, a star of the bonsai world, which was due to be entered in a Japanese beauty competition this month. The prize shimpaku alone was worth over 10 million yen ($90,000), according to Fuyumi Iimura, wife of the bonsai master who crafted the trees.
What is the rule of 3 in bonsai?
The basic application of the Rule of 3 in bonsai creates a primary triangular silhouette defining the tree’s structural framework. This triangle is formed by positioning the apex branch at the highest point and two major side branches at roughly one-third the tree’s total height, establishing the triangle’s vertices.
How big can a bonsai tree grow?
A bonsai tree can grow up to 60-80 inches (152-203 centimeters) or it can be as small as 1-3 inches (3-8 centimeters). There are a wide variety of bonsai sizes. The smallest can be the size of a seed while the largest can require several people to move. You can classify a bonsai tree based on its size.
Are bonsai trees small?
The astonishing factor here is that it still maintains all the proportions of a full-sized tree while remaining so small in size. But it takes the right amount of care and maintenance for bonsai trees to remain healthy. When it comes to bonsai trees, most of them are very small in size. So, how tall do bonsai trees get?
How big do Shito bonsai trees grow?
They grow between 1 and 3 inches (3 and 8 centimeters). They are so small, they can be easily lifted with just two fingers. The Shito bonsai tree size is also known as the fingertip size. They grow between 2 and 4 inches (5 and 10 centimeters). These trees are also known as thimble bonsai because they can fit into pots as small as thimbles.
How fast do bonsai trees grow?
Bonsai trees grow between 2 to 36 inches per year depending on the species. Slow-growing bonsai such as Jade will grow 2 to 5 inches per year. Moderate growing species like Juniper will grow 5 to 12 inches per year and fast-growing species like Chinese Elm will grow 12 to 36 inches per year.
What is the largest bonsai tree?
The largest bonsai trees can grow is to the imperial-sized bonsai classification. This is also known as an eight-handed bonsai as it will take eight hands to lift. Bonsai this size are typically 152 to 203 centimeters.
Can a bonsai grow taller?
Getting a bonsai to grow taller is a tricky balance because the tree needs more space to get large. But, if you just put it in an enormous container, it may grow far too tall. Instead, you’ll need to re-pot your bonsai several times so that you can contain its growth each time.