Selection of trees and shrubs that are suitable as indoor bonsai

The following list indicates the main species grown indoors.

• Some leaved plants, such as fuchsias (Fuchsia) and bougainvilleas (Bougainvillea), for instance, may drop some of their leaves in late fall.

• As a rule, conifers are harder to grow.

• In order to produce fruit, fruit-bearing bonsai need to be given conditions that will encourage them to flower.

• Tropical plants do not have a distinct dormancy period.

• Subtropical species are somewhat more demanding, but are worth a try.

• Finally, remember that deciduous and coniferous trees and shrubs from Canadian forests are unable to thrive indoors.

Scientific name (Common name)	Tropical plants	Subtropical plants	Leaved plants	Conifers	Flower-bearing plants	Fruit-bearing plants
Araucaria bidwillii (Bunya-bunya) A. heterophylla Syn.: A. excelsa (Norfolk island pine)
Bougainvillea glabra B. spectabilis
Buddleja indica Syn.: Nicodemia diversifolia
Buxus microphylla (Boxwood)
Camellia japonica (Common camellia) C. sasanqua (Camellia)
Carissa macrocarpa (Natal plum)
Cedrus libani ssp. atlantica Syn.:C.atlantica (Atlas cedar) Cedrus deodara (Himalayan cedar) Cedrus libani (Cedar of Lebanon)
X Citrofortunella microcarpa Syn.: Citrus mitis (Calamondin orange)
Cotoneaster microphyllus (Rockspray cotoneaster)
Cryptomeria japonica (Japanese cedar)
Cupressus sempervirens (Italian cypress)
Duranta erecta Syn.: D. repens (Pigeon berry)
Ehretia microphylla (Fukien tea)
Elaeagnus pungens (Thorny eleagnus)
Ficus benjamina (Weeping fig) F. microcarpa Syn.: F. retusa (Indian laurel)
Fortunella japonica ( Round kumquat)
Fuchsia cvs (Lady's eardrops)
Gardenia augusta Syn.:G. jasminoides, G. radicans (Gardenia - Cape jasmine)
Grewia occidentalis
Hedera helix (English ivy, Common ivy)
Hibiscus rosa-sinensis (Chinese hibiscus)
Ligustrum japonicum (Japanese privet) L. sinensis (Chinese privet)
Murraya paniculata (Orange jasmine)
Myrtus communis 'Microphylla' (Dwarf myrtle)
Nandina domestica (Heavenly bamboo, Sacred bamboo)
Olea europaea (Common olive)
Podocarpus macrophyllus 'Maki' (Buddhist pine)
Punica granatum 'Nana' (Dwarf pomegranate)
Pyracantha angustifolia Pyracantha coccinea (Firethorn)
Rhododendron Satsuki (Satsuki Azalea) Rhododendron Belgian Indian Hybrids
Rosmarinus officinalis (Rosemary)
Sageretia thea Syn.: S. theezans (Hedge sageretia)
Sequoia sempervirens (Redwood)
Serissa foetida (Serissa) S. foetida 'Flore-Pleno' S. foetida 'Variegata'
Syzygium paniculatum Syn.: Eugenia paniculata (Australian brush cherry)
Trachelospermum jasminoides (Star jasmine)
Ulmus parvifolia (Chinese elm)