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Home   /   Indoor Bonsai   /   Bonsai Variety   /   Chinese Elm Bonsai

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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Chinese Elm Bonsai

Showing 1–25 of 90 results

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Chinese Elm (Ulmus parvifolia)(49)

Showing 1–25 of 90 results

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
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!

Chinese Elm Bonsai Bargain – 12-Year-Old Indoor Bonsai Special Offer Beginners Indoor Bonsai ~ Chinese Elm 12 years old
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
Geoff read

My first order was for 3 pots, the quality and speed of delivery was amazing, faultless service ,trees are next on my list. Thank you

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

I have left this a few weeks before reviewing but it is fantastic. New leaves are shooting and it looks beautiful. It was just what I wanted and the delivery and packaging were first rate. You can choose your date for delivery. I am very impressed by the service I have received. Thanks Bonsai Direct

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

What an amazing bonsai tree and such great value. I am well impressed and highly recommend the service too. It was delivered on the day I chose at 9am. Great - 5 stars for sure.

Special Offer Indoor Bonsai ~ Chinese Elm (IDCE7) Special Offer 8 year old Twisty S-Shaped Indoor Bonsai ~ Chinese Elm - Beginner's Favourite
lynne2bally

I purchased this beautiful tree and kit for my wife's 60th birthday. The delivery was amazing and the packaging was great also, keeping the tree safe and sound until we received it. May tears were shed this morning when I presented it to my beautiful wife for her special day. Thanks a million to all at Bonsai direct for helping give her a day to remember

Outstanding Twisty Chinese Elm Bonsai Kit – Best Bonsai Kit for Beginners Outstanding Twisty Chinese Elm Bonsai Kit - Choose the colour of the watering can!
Peter Jamieson

Excellent service from Bonsai Direct. Lovely looking tree and extremely well packaged and delivered on the day I chose. Thank you Bonsai Direct

Chinese Elm ~ Indoor Bonsai (IDCE8) favourite Chinese Elm ~ Indoor Bonsai [Best Bonsai Tree for Beginners]
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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