Bonsai is the ancient Japanese art of growing miniature trees in containers. While bonsai can be created from regular sized trees most bonsai start out as small plants and are carefully pruned and trained over time to remain compact. This raises the question – just how tall do bonsai trees get?
The maximum height depends on the bonsai classification system, which is based on the number of people needed to move each tree The largest size is the imperial bonsai, which stands 152-203 cm (60-80 inches) tall and requires eight people to move it. However, most hobbyist bonsai are much smaller, in the range of 10-46 cm (4-18 inches)
Here is an overview of bonsai size classifications:
Bonsai Size Classifications
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Imperial (152-203 cm/60-80 inches) – The largest classification, requiring eight people to move. Reserved historically for royalty.
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Hachi-uye (102-152 cm/40-60 inches) – A large bonsai needing six people to move it.
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Dai/Omono (76-122 cm/30-48 inches) – A large bonsai clasification, requiring four people to move.
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Chiu/Chumono (41-91 cm/16-36 inches) – A medium bonsai that requires two people to move.
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Katade-mochi (25-46 cm/10-18 inches) – The most common bonsai size, moved by two people.
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Kumono (15-25 cm/6-10 inches) – A small bonsai that fits in one hand.
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Mame (5-15 cm/2-6 inches) – A miniature bonsai fitting in one hand.
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Shito (5-10 cm/2-4 inches) – A tiny bonsai class, moved by fingertips.
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Keshitsubo (3-8 cm/1-3 inches) – The smallest bonsai classification.
As you can see, imperial bonsai are by far the largest, while most hobbyist bonsai fall into the small, medium and miniature sizes that can be managed by one or two people.
Typical Bonsai Heights
The height a bonsai reaches depends on its classification, age, species, and how it is trained and pruned. Here are some typical size ranges:
- Large Bonsai – Dai, Hachi-uye (30-152 cm/12-60 inches)
- Medium Bonsai – Chiu, Katade-mochi (25-91 cm/10-36 inches)
- Small Bonsai – Mame, Kumono, Shito (3-25 cm/1-10 inches)
Miniature Bonsai – Miniature varieties like Shito and Keshitsubo usually max out under 10 cm (4 inches).
Young Bonsai – A bonsai kept trimmed to a small size for only a few years may be 5-15 cm (2-6 inches).
Mature Bonsai – An older bonsai that has been trained for decades can reach 60-90 cm (24-35 inches).
Fast Growing Species – Fast growers like Chinese elm can grow up to 90 cm (35 inches) in ideal conditions.
Slow Growing Species – Slower growers like jade may only reach 15-30 cm (6-12 inches).
So you can expect most common hobbyist bonsai to fall in the 15-45 cm (6-18 inch) range, while more mature or fast growing varieties can potentially reach 60-90 cm (24-35 inches). The towering imperial bonsai are very rare.
Factors Affecting Bonsai Height
Several key factors influence just how tall a bonsai tree grows:
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Age – Older trees have had more time to increase in size if not heavily pruned.
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Species – Fast growers gain more height than slow growers.
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Pruning – Regular pruning controls height by removing vertical growth.
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Training – Wiring branches horizontally reduces upward growth.
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Pot Size – Small pots restrict root and foliage growth.
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Growing Conditions – Ideal sun, water, soil and climate equals faster growth.
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Genetics – Some trees are genetically predisposed to growing taller.
By choosing a slow growing species, pruning frequently, wiring branches horizontally, and using small pots, bonsai artists can maintain miniature tree sizes for decades. Allowing a bonsai to grow freely will result in a full sized tree.
Achieving Different Bonsai Sizes
If you want to achieve a particular bonsai height, here are some tips:
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For miniature bonsai under 10 cm (4 inches), choose a dwarf cultivar and prune rigorously. Frequent pinching back of new growth keeps plants like Shimpaku juniper tiny.
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For small bonsai of 10-25 cm (4-10 inches), opt for slow growing varieties like jade or moderate growers like juniper, limiting pruning to shape the form.
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For medium bonsai of 25-45 cm (10-18 inches), select moderately fast growing trees like Chinese elm and maples, pruning annually to maintain compact shape.
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For large bonsai over 45 cm (18 inches), pick vigorous species like water jasmine or ficus, and prune only lightly to shape. Allow branches to extend vertically for height.
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For very large bonsai over 90 cm (35 inches), choose extremely fast growing trees like cottonwood, and prune minimally after establishing initial shape.
With the right species selection, pruning practices, and training techniques, bonsai artists can shape trees to their preferred height. Patience is required, as bonsai growth happens slowly over many years or decades. But the end result of a beautifully shaped miniature tree is well worth the effort!
Bonsai trees for Beginners
FAQ
What is the rule of 3 in bonsai trees?
Here’s the general rule to follow: Build the structure of a bonsai by laying out its branches beginning with three principal branches. These are the first branch, the second and the third. One of them — the second or the third — will be placed at the rear.
What is the maximum height of a bonsai tree?
They grow between forty and sixty inches tall. The Imperial bonsai is the largest and most majestic of all Bonsai trees. They grow between sixty and eighty inches tall and are found most often in the Japanese imperial gardens. They are also known as eight-handed due to the number of people required to move them.
How much is a 400 year old bonsai tree?
Fuyumi Iimura, wife of the bonsai master who crafted the trees, told the broadcaster the 400-year-old shimpaku juniper tree was worth almost $120,000 alone. “We treated these miniature trees like our children,” the woman said. “There are no words to describe how we feel.
What is the lifespan of a bonsai tree?
Some bonsai can live for millennia if properly cared for. Meanwhile, others reach a fifty-year lifetime. Additionally, trees that are younger have a longer lifespan, while there may not be many years remaining for older trees.
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.
What is the smallest bonsai size?
Shito bonsai size classification is for bonsai trees that are five to ten centimeters or two to four inches. It is the second smallest bonsai size available and falls into the one-hand bonsai category. What is Mame bonsai size classification? Mame bonsai size classification is for bonsai trees that are 5 to 15 centimeters or 2 to 6 inches.
What size bonsai should I buy?
One-hand – Small bonsai that are 5 to 25 centimeters or 2 to 10 inches in size. Two-hand – Medium bonsai that are most common amongst bonsai owners. They are 25 to 91 centimeters or 10 to 36 inches. four-hand – Large bonsai that are 76 to 122 centimeters or 30 to 48 inches. Six-hand – Large bonsai that are 102 to 152 centimeters or 40 to 60 inches.
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.
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?