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Chinese Elm Bonsai

The most popular indoor bonsai tree with a natural twiggy appearance

Bonsai Tree Meaning | Tree Symbolism: Inner Strength, Intuition, Wisdom & Love,

Firstly, the Chinese Elm Bonsai (Ulmus parvifolia) is the most popular indoor bonsai we grow. And not without good reason. A great bonsai for complete beginners. A truly beautiful variety with small bright green leaves. Evergreen when grown indoors but may be evergreen, semi-evergreen or deciduous when grown outdoors.

Ideal as a conservatory plant which would require extra watering when hot.

A bonsai with excellent twig structure & superb character throughout. Therefore, making it the beautiful representation of a woodland tree. In our opinion, the Chinese Elm is the most perfectly proportioned, easy to care for and adaptable bonsai. It makes a superb bonsai!
Moreover, it can be grown either indoors or outdoors – but please protect from hard frosts if kept in the garden.

A bonsai tree with a wonderful meaning

Furthermore, known as ‘The tree of harmony’; the Elm symbolises inner strength, intuition, wisdom & love.  A beautiful bonsai which symbolises love, balance, calm and peaceful energy.
Frequently purchased for the sentiment of love & devotion. We think it would make an astounding birthday or anniversary gift.

Our top-selling Indoor bonsai tree for sale

The Chinese Elm is the perfect choice if you are unsure of which bonsai to purchase. It is, without doubt, the perfect bonsai gift for birthdays, weddings, anniversaries or Christmas. A bonsai tree suitable for everyone. It is easy to prune & suitable for wiring to shape. A fun bonsai to learn on.

Interestingly, it is not fussy about where it is placed & displays boundless beauty. Ideally, this bonsai prefers a bright position away from direct heat sources such as south-facing windows, radiators and televisions.

Lastly, Bonsai Direct offers a first-class service, with FREE next working day delivery to most of the UK. We can also deliver on Saturdays and Sundays.
Free care guides are included. Additionally, please choose your delivery date at the checkout.

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Showing 1–25 of 75 results

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Chinese Elm (Ulmus parvifolia) (42)
  • Picturesque Beginners Chinese Elm Indoor Bonsai featuring Elegant CurvesThis is the exact bonsai you will receiveOverall Height Height inc. Pot. 31cm
    Age. 11yrs

    Picturesque Beginners Chinese Elm Indoor Bonsai featuring Elegant Curves

     £89.99
  • Character Chinese Elm indoor bonsai treeFestive bonsai tree sale 2025-2026Overall Height Height inc. Pot. 35cm
    Age. 11yrs

    Uniquely Styled Chinese Elm Indoor Bonsai with Rich Foliage in Cream Pot

     Original price was: £89.99.Current price is: £69.99.
  • Stunning Chinese Elm bonsai treeThis is the exact bonsai you will receiveOverall Height Height inc. Pot. 41cm
    Age. 17yrs

    Incredible Chinese Elm Bonsai Tree | Neat, Commanding Presence & Impressive Stature

     £345.00
  • Special Offer Beginners Indoor Bonsai ~ Chinese Elm 12 years oldOverall Height Height inc. Pot. 33cm
    Age. 12yrs

    Special Offer Beginners Indoor Bonsai ~ Chinese Elm 12 years old

     Price range: £59.99 through £67.98
  • Artistic Chinese Elm bonsai tree for saleThis is the exact bonsai you will receiveOverall Height Height inc. Pot. 44cm
    Age. 18yrs

    Incredible Chinese Elm Bonsai Tree | Neat, Commanding Presence & Impressive Stature – Top Quality Bonsai

     £325.00
  • Twin Pack - 2 "Imperfectly Perfect" 8 year old bonsaiFestive bonsai tree sale 2025-2026Overall Height Height inc. Pot. 28-30cm
    Age. 8yrs

    Outstanding Bargain (Almost 2 for 1) – Twin Set of “Perfectly Imperfect” Bonsai | 8 years old

     Original price was: £91.98 – £103.96Price range: £91.98 through £103.96.Current price is: £49.99 – £61.97Price range: £49.99 through £61.97.
  • Beautiful Chinese Elm forestFestive bonsai tree sale 2025-2026Overall Height Height inc. Pot. 29cm
    Age. 7yrs

    Exceptional Triple Chinese Elm Indoor Bonsai Composition with Gnarly Features

     Original price was: £99.99.Current price is: £74.99.
  • Chinese Elm Bonsai Tree for Sale | Broom StyleOverall Height Height inc. Pot. 25cm
    Age. 6yrs

    Exemplary Beginners Chinese Elm Rooty Starter Bonsai

     £34.99
  • Chinese Sweet Plum Bonsai Tree KitOverall Height Height inc. Pot. 33cm
    Age. 12yrs

    Outstanding Twisty Chinese Sweet Plum Bonsai Kit – choose the colour of the watering can!

     Original price was: £93.99.Current price is: £79.99.
  • Amazing beginners Chinese Elm starter bonsai kitOverall Height Height inc. Pot. 28cm
    Age. 8yrs

    Comprehensive Chinese Elm Indoor Bonsai Starter Kit – Perfect for Beginners

     £58.99
  • Large Chinese Elm Indoor Bonsai Kit - Perfect for beginners!Overall Height Height inc. Pot. 35cm
    Age. 16yrs

    Choose Your Species | Large Indoor Bonsai Kit – Perfect for beginners!

     £119.99
  • Chinese Elm Bonsai Copse | Triple Bonsai Forest | DECEMBER SPECIALOverall Height Height inc. Pot. 29cm
    Age. 8yrs

    Chinese Elm Bonsai Copse | Triple Bonsai Forest | DECEMBER SPECIAL

     Original price was: £69.99 – £77.98Price range: £69.99 through £77.98.Current price is: £59.99 – £67.98Price range: £59.99 through £67.98.
  • Shohin Chinese Elm – Miniature Bonsai Tree with Elegant StructureOverall Height Height inc. Pot. 25cm
    Age. 6yrs

    Shohin Chinese Elm – Miniature Bonsai Tree with Elegant Structure

     £34.99
  • Chinese Elm Bonsai - top starter kit for saleOverall Height Height inc. Pot. 33cm
    Age. 12yrs

    Chinese Elm Bonsai Starter Pack – 12 years | Medium Size

     Original price was: £86.99.Current price is: £75.99.
  • Powerful, Commanding, Impressive, Easy Care Chinese Elm BonsaiThis is the exact bonsai you will receiveOverall Height Height inc. Pot. 43cm
    Age. 17yrs

    Powerful, Commanding, Impressive, Easy Care Chinese Elm Bonsai

     £325.00
  • Comprehensive Beginners Baby Bonsai SetOverall Height Height inc. Pot. 25cm
    Age. 6yrs

    Comprehensive Beginners Baby Bonsai Set

     £47.99
  • Compact and interestingly shaped Chinese Elm Bonsai tree for sale | Perfect indoor bonsai - Keep outside with winter protectionThis is the exact bonsai you will receiveOverall Height Height inc. Pot. 28cm
    Age. 11yrs

    Dwarf & Powerful Chinese Elm Bonsai in Black Pot

     £95.00
  • Literati Style Indoor Bonsai - Favourite of timeOverall Height Height inc. Pot. 28cm
    Age. 8yrs

    Informal Upright Literati Twisty Bonsai – Amazing Value

     Price range: £32.99 through £34.99
  • Special Offer Indoor Bonsai ~ Chinese Elm (IDCE7)Overall Height Height inc. Pot. 28cm
    Age. 8yrs

    Special Offer 8 year old Twisty S-Shaped Indoor Bonsai ~ Chinese Elm – Beginner’s Favourite

     Price range: £44.99 through £50.98
  • Baby indoor bonsai tree kit for sale with free deliveryOverall Height Height inc. Pot. 25cm
    Age. 8yrs

    Complete Beginners Baby Bonsai Set

     £45.99
  • Literati-Style Chinese Elm bonsai - Fantastic Black Friday Plant!Overall Height Height inc. Pot. 33cm
    Age. 12yrs

    Literati-Style 12 Year Old Chinese Elm

     Original price was: £54.99 – £62.98Price range: £54.99 through £62.98.Current price is: £44.99 – £52.98Price range: £44.99 through £52.98.
  • Mature Bonsai Tree for Sale | Bonsai Chinese Elm SpecimenFestive bonsai tree sale 2025-2026Overall Height Height inc. Pot. 45cm
    Age. 22yrs

    Mature Bonsai Tree for Sale | Bonsai Chinese Elm Specimen

     Original price was: £450.00.Current price is: £325.00.
  • Chinese Elm Indoor Bonsai for Beginners | Unique Serpentine Styling - Oozes Artistic BeautyFestive bonsai tree sale 2025-2026Overall Height Height inc. Pot. 35cm
    Age. 13yrs

    Literati Style Ulmus Parvifolia Evergreen Elm Bonsai | Feature Shari

     Original price was: £145.00.Current price is: £119.99.
  • Elegant Literati Bonsai Chinese Elm – Soft Curves & Downward BranchingFestive bonsai tree sale 2025-2026Overall Height Height inc. Pot. 33cm
    Age. 12yrs

    Elegant Literati Bonsai Chinese Elm – Soft Curves & Downward Branching

     Original price was: £99.99.Current price is: £75.00.
  • Chinese Elm ~ Indoor Bonsai (IDCE8) favouriteOverall Height Height inc. Pot. 33cm
    Age. 12yrs

    Chinese Elm ~ Indoor Bonsai [Best Bonsai Tree for Beginners]

     £65.00

Showing 1–25 of 75 results

Jim Skopi

Gift for my wife she is absolutely delighted with it. It arrived beautifully packaged and now has pride of place

Larger Twisty Chinese Elm (Zelkova) Bonsai tree - Perfect Beginners Species | BLACK FRIDAY BARGAIN Larger Twisty Chinese Elm (Zelkova) Bonsai tree - Perfect Beginners Species | BLACK FRIDAY BARGAIN
Robert Griffiths

As ever, perfect trees, perfectly packed. An absolute joy.

Character Chinese Elm indoor bonsai tree Uniquely Styled Chinese Elm Indoor Bonsai with Rich Foliage in Cream Pot
Scott Bowden

Lovely Chinese Elm in great condition with super fast delivery.

Indoor Bonsai Chinese Elm Set 1 (IDCE10) - Larger Size Mature Indoor Bonsai Chinese Elm Set (16 years) - Larger Size
Anna Budrewicz Derbyshire

Came in very well wrapped and in immaculate condition. Beautiful tree! Fantastic for beginners with care leaflet.

Larger Twisty Chinese Elm (Zelkova) Bonsai tree - Perfect Beginners Species | BLACK FRIDAY BARGAIN Larger Twisty Chinese Elm (Zelkova) Bonsai tree - Perfect Beginners Species | BLACK FRIDAY BARGAIN
Nicholas Bodman

Brilliant service highly recommend Bonsai Direct 👍

Twisty Ulmus parvifolia Chinese Elm Beginners Indoor Bonsai | Flaky Bark | BLACK FRIDAY BARGAIN Twisty Ulmus parvifolia Chinese Elm Beginners Indoor Bonsai | Flaky Bark | BLACK FRIDAY BARGAIN
David Wallace

Fantastic bonsai and support service. Highly recommended

Excellent Chinese Elm bonsai tree An Exceptional 12-Year-Old Chinese Elm Bonsai | Strong Design with Accentuated Twists
Jamie Ramage

After a few months of obsessing over them, I purchased my first Bonsai from Bonsai Direct and it just arrived this evening. Could not be happier, I ordered Saturday delivery and was worried I wouldn’t get it on time with the recent storm hitting the UK but it came fine and in exceptional packaging to keep it safe. The tree and service exceeded all expectations.Would not go anywhere else now as Bonsai Direct has set the bar very high.Thank You, I look forward to my next purchase which I know is going to be very soon!

Special Offer Beginners Indoor Bonsai ~ Chinese Elm 12 years old Special Offer Beginners Indoor Bonsai ~ Chinese Elm 12 years old
Diana stoica

I recently bought this bonsai and is much beautiful that I expected. The delivery what was smooth and they did exactly as I told them. I am very pleased with purchase and I highly recommend it !! I bought is as a gift 🎁

Tall & twisty Chinese Elm Bonsai tree for sale UK Chinese Elm Indoor Bonsai Tree with Captivating Root Exposure
Rusty E

Just had it delivered and it looks like a very healthy tree. It arrived very well packaged, with clear instructions

Special Offer Indoor Bonsai ~ Chinese Elm (IDCE7) Special Offer 8 year old Twisty S-Shaped Indoor Bonsai ~ Chinese Elm - Beginner's Favourite
About the Chinese Elm

Chinese Elm Bonsai (Ulmus parvifolia / Zelkova bonsai tree) or Lacebark Elms as they are commonly known, originate from eastern Asia. This beautiful tree is extremely well regarded as being one of the best indoor bonsai varieties.
It is a fast growing bonsai so produces lovely dense and compact foliage pads, so typical of the informal upright bonsai style. It is a very tolerant bonsai species and fairly adaptable to a wide range of growing conditions.
If you are looking for an indoor bonsai which is very natural in appearance, with a lovely twiggy structure and true tree-like form this would be our recommendation.
A fabulous beginners bonsai with outstanding proportions and very pretty naturally small serrated leaves.
All our bonsai are supplied with full care instructions.
This variety is evergreen when grown indoors (although you may get a little seasonal leaf drop).
In mild climates, it can also be grown outdoors, but it will then revert to being deciduous.
Known as ‘The tree of harmony’, the Elm symbolises inner strength, intuition and wisdom.
A beautiful bonsai which signifies love, balance, calm and a peaceful energy.

Medium Sized Beginners Chinese Elm Pruning Kit Special Offer Now

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Chinese Elm Bonsai - Expert Overview by Lloyd Noall

Value for Money
Rated 5 out of 5
Easy to Grow
Rated 5 out of 5
Styling
Rated 4 out of 5
Sturdiness
Rated 4 out of 5
Seasonal Variation
Rated 3 out of 5

Our bonsai expert Lloyd Noall has been growing bonsai for approximately 4 decades. He is a leading authority on growing both indoor & outdoor varieties. We ask his opinion on our top sell­ing Chinese Elm (Ulmus parvifolia) bonsai tree species. It can sometimes be referred to as a Lacebark Elm or Zelcova seratta.

“In my opinion the Chinese Elm is the very best representation of a woodland tree”. This easy-care variety has naturally small bright green leaves and beautiful character throughout. It is an ideal starter bonsai for beginners and is perfect for learning pruning and wiring techniques.

“This species is native to China, India, Japan, Korea, Vietnam, and south-east Asia. It is relatively fast growing and responds well to pruning, forming well ramified foliage pads. Pruning the tips of the Chinese Elm shoots encourages Back budding”, where new leaves emerge further down the branches forming dense, compact branches with a neat habit.

The Chinese Elm is a fairly hardy species. Usually grown indoors but grows well outside all year round. “I would advise that you protect your Chinese Elm bonsai from extended periods of freezing, by putting in an unheated shed, glasshouse or cool room”.

In Chinese culture, the Chinese Elm is a symbol of longevity and resilience, often planted to honour ancestors. “Its graceful shape and beautiful leaves make it a favoured choice for growing as a bonsai”, representing inner strength, intuition, wisdom, and love.

“Interestingly, the Chinese Elm bonsai is evergreen when grown indoors. It may have a little leaf drop when it re-acclimatises to its new location or when the seasons change at the end of summer and end of winter. When grown outdoors it will be semi-evergreen or deciduous depending upon the severity of the winter”. It is one of the cold-hardiest of the Chinese bonsai species.

Lloyd with his spring collection of bonsai trees

Lloyd has decades of experience in the art of bonsai and is the founder of Bonsai Direct. He started selling bonsai trees commercially in 1995, nearly 30 years ago.

View Expert Bio

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