Outstanding Twisty Chinese Elm Bonsai Kit – Choose the colour of the watering can!
£93.99Original price was: £93.99.£79.99Current price is: £79.99.
★★★★★(8)
SKU: Chinese Elm Kit 1 (IDCE50)
Free Delivery by Thursday 22nd October available
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Enjoy our outstanding 12-year-old Chinese Elm Bonsai Kit, widely considered the best bonsai kit for beginners. This impressive tree displays a graceful twisty S-shaped trunk, glossy foliage and superb proportions. The kit includes scissors, drip tray, fertiliser, our full care handbook and a choice of watering can colours. Beautifully grown by our family-run nursery, it’s the perfect way to start your bonsai journey. Free next working day delivery available.
What's in This Bundle?
1xTwisty Chinese Elm (Ulmus parvifolia) Indoor Bonsai Tree - 12 years old
1xMedium Drip Tray
1xThe Bonsai Direct Care Handbook
1xSmall Bonsai Feed - 100ml
1xSmall Bonsai Pruning Scissors - Great Value
1xWatering Can - Choose Colour
Description
Outstanding Twisty Chinese Elm Bonsai Kit – Best Bonsai Kit for Beginners
12-Year-Old Ulmus parvifolia
A Complete Bonsai Starter Kit
Start your bonsai journey with confidence using our Chinese Elm bonsai kit, widely regarded as the best bonsai kit for beginners. Carefully curated by our family-run nursery, this all-in-one set combines an expertly styled tree with essential tools and clear guidance, making learning simple and enjoyable from day one.
The Centrepiece: A Mature 12-Year-Old Chinese Elm
At the heart of this kit is a beautiful 12-year-old Chinese Elm (Ulmus parvifolia), hand-trained over many years to develop a graceful, twisty trunk and fine twiggy branching. The Chinese Elm is one of the most forgiving and rewarding bonsai species, ideal for beginners thanks to its small leaves, strong back-budding, and excellent response to pruning. Potted in a classic blue glazed ceramic pot, it brings instant presence and long-term potential to any indoor space.
Everything You Need in One Beginner-Friendly Kit
This premium starter bundle includes:
12-year-old Chinese Elm indoor bonsai in blue ceramic pot
Each item is chosen to support early success, which is why customers rate this as the best bonsai kit for beginners.
Why This Is the Best Bonsai Kit for Beginners
This kit pairs a mature, forgiving Chinese Elm with the right tools and expert guidance. As a result, beginners gain confidence quickly while enjoying a tree that continues to develop character over time.
Why Buy from Bonsai Direct
Bonsai Direct are a professional, family-run bonsai nursery with decades of hands-on experience. We nurture every tree ourselves, select each for balance and character, and package orders securely for safe arrival. We include clear care guides and offer friendly aftercare support, alongside fast, reliable delivery on the date you choose.
Please note: Each bonsai is individually grown and shaped, so the exact form, branching, and character may vary slightly from the images shown.
Specification
Evergreen
Yes - If kept indoors
Flowering/Fruiting
No
Pot Size (cm)
19 x 14
Pot Colour
Blue
Indoor/Outdoor
Either - Protect from frost
Difficulty
Easy - Perfect for Beginners
Maintenance
Positioning: Place in bright position avoiding direct sunlight in mid summer.
Watering: Keep soil evenly damp; check daily.
Feeding: Apply bonsai fertiliser weekly following the instructions on the bottle.
Pruning: Trim new shoots regularly to keep shape and encourage ramification.
Repotting: Repot every two years in early spring using free-draining bonsai soil.
Note: Can live outside during summer months but protect from frost.
Pet Friendly
Yes
Bonsai Variety
The Chinese Elm (Ulmus parviflolia) makes a truly beautiful bonsai with small bright green leaves. The tree has excellent twig structure and has great character throughout, making it the perfect representation of a woodland tree. In our opinion the Chinese Elm is the most perfectly proportioned, easy to care for and adaptable tree and makes a superb bonsai; which can be grown either indoors or outdoors.
Delivery
🌿 Delivery Options Choose your date
Service
When will it arrive?
Charge
Standard Delivery
(England, Wales & Southern Scotland)
Next working day (order before 3:25pm) or your chosen date
FREE
Premium AM
(Weekdays before 1pm)
Next working day (order before 3:25pm) or your chosen date
£8.99
Weekend Delivery
Chosen Saturday or Sunday
£8.99
Highlands & Islands
AB37–38, AB54–56, FK17–21, GY, HS, IV1–63, JE, KA27–28, KW1–17, PA20–49, PA60–78, PH19–26, PH30–40, PH42–44, PH49–50, TR21–25, ZE
Two working days (order before 3:25pm) or your chosen date
£7.99
Northern Ireland
Two working days (order before 3:25pm) or your chosen date
£7.99
✅ Every bonsai is hand-checked, watered, and securely packaged for safe arrival.
📘 Printed care guide included with all orders.
🚚 All bonsai tree orders can be tracked and our couriers will notify you of your delivery slot.
Bonsai Care
🌱 Bonsai Care Guide Beginner-friendly
Care
What to do
How often
Step 1
Read your printed Care Instruction Guide included with every bonsai tree before you begin.
Upon arrival
On arrival
In hot weather, stand pot in water for 5 minutes, then drain.
Once on day 1
Position
Indoor Bonsai – Bright daylight, avoid harsh midday sun & cold draughts. Outdoor Bonsai – bright to semi-shaded, sheltered position.
All year
Water
Check soil daily; keep damp to the touch (not soggy). In hot spells, soak the pot briefly.
Daily check
Mist
Lightly mist foliage to boost humidity and condition leaves.
Once or twice a week
Feed
Use bonsai fertiliser, diluted as directed. Follow the directions on the bottle.
Species dependant
Prune
Trim longer shoots to maintain shape and encourage new growth.
As needed
Health
If needed, use an invigorator/insecticide and follow the label instructions.
If issues arise
🌿 Don’t worry! Your detailed printed care guide walks you through everything step by step.
🎥 Extra help & videos are available on our website.
✅ Every bonsai is checked, watered & securely packaged before dispatch.
Expert Overview by Holly Noall
Expert Overview by Holly Noall
Perfect for Beginners
★★★★★
Easy to Grow
★★★★★
Includes Care Accessories
★★★★★
Air Purifying
★★★★☆
Value for Money
★★★★★
Holly’s Expert Review on Our Outstanding Beginners Kit – A Top 10 Starter Bonsai Tree Kit
Holly is bonsai expert with years of hands-on experience, She is excited to offer her expert opinion on our Outstanding Beginners Kit—truly one of the best bonsai starter kits available. One of the things that makes this kit exceptional is the 12-year-old Chinese Elm, a tree that beautifully showcases the art of bonsai. “I’m particularly excited about the Chinese Elm in this kit,” Holly says. “It’s a true gem, and perfect for beginners.”
What makes the Chinese Elm so special? One fascinating aspect is its ability to develop character bark as it matures. This adds a stunning texture to the trunk, creating an aged, natural look. Combine this with its small, serrated leaves, and you have a miniature version of a full-sized Elm tree that’s both charming and captivating.
One of the reasons I highly recommend this kit is the hardiness of the Chinese Elm. It’s an incredibly forgiving tree, making it a perfect choice for beginners who may not yet be familiar with bonsai care. “What many beginners don’t realise is that the Chinese Elm can tolerate a wide range of conditions,” Holly explains. “It’s adaptable and can be trained into various styles, from formal upright to cascading forms, offering endless creative possibilities.”
Holly also points out a key advantage of the 12-year-old Chinese Elm: its mid-sized stature. “One of the reasons this bonsai is so easy to care for, especially for beginners, is its size,” she explains. “Unlike smaller bonsai, which can dry out quickly, this mid-sized tree comes in a slightly larger pot. That means it holds moisture longer, so you won’t need to water it as frequently—perfect for those with busy schedules.” Holly adds, “It’s an ideal size for a table, windowsill, or even a shelf.”
Another unique trait of the Chinese Elm is its variable leaf-dropping behaviour. “Depending on the climate and growing environment, the Chinese Elm can be deciduous, semi-deciduous, or even evergreen,”Holly notes. “As an indoor bonsai, it remains evergreen, but when grown outside, it often drops its leaves in winter. It’s fascinating how versatile and adaptable this tree can be.”
The kit also includes a drip tray, which many beginners might overlook but is incredibly important for maintaining the health of your bonsai. “Humidity is essential for bonsai trees, especially in the dry conditions of a heated home during winter,” Holly explains. “The drip tray helps mimic the tree’s natural environment by creating a mini microclimate around the bonsai, while also protecting your surfaces from excess water.”
Another benefit I love about the Chinese Elm is its air-purifying qualities. Studies have shown that it can remove indoor air pollutants, making it not just a beautiful decorative piece, but also a healthy addition to your living space.
“This 12-year-old tree has already been through years of careful cultivation, giving you a great head start on your bonsai journey,” Holly shares. You’ll also find a comprehensive care handbook in the kit, which I think is a fantastic resource for beginners. It’s full of tips and advice that will help you care for and nurture your bonsai for years to come.
Holly also emphasises the remarkable value for money offered by this kit. “What really sets this kit apart is the inclusion of all the essential accessories,” she notes. “You’re not just getting a beautiful 12-year-old Chinese Elm; the kit also comes with bonsai fertiliser, pruning scissors, and even a watering can in a colour of your choice. It’s everything you need for a complete bonsai experience right from the start. For beginners, this takes the guesswork out of bonsai care and offers exceptional value.”
Overall, the Outstanding Beginners Kit is thoughtfully designed with everything you need to embark on your bonsai adventure. From the well-established Chinese Elm to the helpful tools and resources included, this kit truly sets you up for success.
Bonsai expert Holly literally grew up with a pair of bonsai scissors in her hand. As Lloyd’s eldest daughter, Holly has benefitted from growing up on the nursery. Despite being in her early twenties, Holly already has many years of bonsai experience under her belt. She is passionate about the environment and environmental issues and wants to continue the journey her parents have started.
Original price was: £59.99 – £67.98Price range: £59.99 through £67.98. Price range: £54.99 through £62.98Current price is: £54.99 – £62.98Price range: £54.99 through £62.98.
£795.00
