BONSAI STARTER PLANTS

Ponytail palm, Pony Tail, bottle palm, nolina, elephant-foot tree. Palm-looking succulent with greatly swollen trunk base and the curved, narrow leaves. Very cute plants with large caudex. Drought tolerant plant that require very little care if any. Can tolerate some freeze.

Bougainvillea Sunvillea Rose (also called Dwarf Pixie) is deep pink, almost a magenta in color. It blooms the brightest of fuchsia-pink bracts contrasting with its bright green foliage. If you're looking for a pick-me-up for your container gardens, or a dull space in the landscape, here's your winner!
It is a dwarf form of thornless Bougainvillea with extremely slow growth rate. These showy evergreen dwarf beauties have numerous bright colorful bracts growing in an upright habit. This plant flowers in a small as a 4" pot and is great for landscapes and patio containers. It has a shape of natural bonsai, and leaves are smaller. Bright flowers are born in dense clusters. 3-4 y.o. plants can stay only 3-4 ft and look like natural bonsai trees. They stay compact, perfectly round and dense shape, don't require pruning, making a must-have for any garden, especially for the small spaces in your yard.
See picture of the mature tree in 7 gal pot

Very showy red-flowered rare Powdepuff, very fast growing and spacey shrub. It is very cold tolerant, survived 3 nights of 25F hard freeze in our garden. Great solution for subtropical gardens to get exotic look and yet survive occasional freezes.
It is a many-stemmed dense shrub, the branches grow from ground level, and the leaves consist of tiny crowded leaflets that fold together at night or by touch. The fine, feathery and large flowers are a deep scarlet color and borne among the green foliage from spring to autumn. Great bonsai plant.

Thornless Euphorbia. This semi-succulent shrub blooms all summer with bright red flowers in pairs with yellow centers. With wider leaves than Euphorbia millii and no spine, it prefers semi-shade and likes more moisture than other similar Euphorbias. Collectible item. Low growing specimen. Can be used for bonsai.

Full scientific name: Ficus natalensis subspecies leprieuri, also known as Ficus triangularis variegata.
One of the coolest plants on the market! The Ficus Triangularis Variegata plant is one of the harder plants to find, even its non-variegated version is not common. This easy-care beauty shows off quantities of green and cream, triangle-heart-shape leaves that are held aloft on stiff compact stems. It's a super tough plant that can take a bit more abuse than other members of the ficus family. It is a slow grower eventually reaching 4 feet in height. The brighter the light, the better the variegation will be on new foliage.
This spectacular ficus can make an excellent houseplant. Decorate a table top with a single specimen or flank a doorway or entry with a pair of these easy-care ficus. They would also look terrific in a bright bedroom, bathroom, or kitchen.
This plant NEEDS light, if you do not give it enough light it may drop leaves or stop producing variegation. If grown indoors, use additional grow light for 10 hours a day. Water your plant whenever the soil feels dry to the touch. This handsome plant does not like wet feet so use your finger to make sure the soil is completely dry before offering moisture. Water thoroughly and then let the plant dry out again before it gets another drink.

Rock Fig, Rock Ficus, Texcalamate, Lava Fig. Very showy velvet leaves with purple veins. Forms a caudex, good for bonsai. If planted in ground, grows in a small tree. The more water you give this plant the bigger it will grow and vice versa. This plant has nice caudex. In winter may drop some leaves.

This Dwarf Miniature Creeping Gardenia offers nearly all the beloved traits of larger gardenias - lush evergreen foliage, heavenly fragrance, and elegant white blooms - in a compact, manageable form. Its modest size, spreading habit, and relative tolerance make it an excellent choice for container gardening, small landscapes, or even bonsai enthusiasts. With attention to soil acidity, drainage, and consistent moisture, this little plant can deliver big delight.
See page about gardenias, their cultivation and varieties

Half n Half Parrot's Beak - is a rare variegated form - can be great for Bonsai. Meet a wild twist on a classic favorite! This rare variegated variety of Gmelina philippensis brings all the charm of the traditional Parrots Beak and then some. What makes it special? Its leaves are half green, half creamy-white, creating a striking two-tone effect on every branch. Some call it a conversation starter we call it one-of-a-kind!
- Compact growth and ivy-shaped foliage make it ideal for bonsai. The leaves reduce beautifully with training.
- Fast grower with a naturally tidy canopy.
- Produces eye-catching yellow flowers shaped like parrot beaks, hanging in chain-like racemes.
- Develops character as it ages: spiny branches, textured bark, and an artistic form perfect for styling.
- Tropical and easy-going - loves full sun, moderate water, and warmth.
Note: Gmelina is pronounced "Melina" - the G is silent, but the plant is anything but!
Classic Parrots Beak is a unique round shrub with whimsical pendant branches and leaves and flowers that unmistakably resemble a parrots beak.
The leaves, in their comical way, mimic a parrot doing a joyful handstand. Vibrant and green, they bring smiles effortlessly.
The yellow blossoms are like mini parrot beaks hanging upside-down, creating a perpetual garden carnival all year long.
Check out video about Parrots Beak.

A remarkable Morning Glory native to arid regions of Argentina. Like other caudiciform species, it has swollen stems containing water-storage tissue, and can survive extended periods of drought. Give it a well-drained soil, keep it moist and keep it out of the full sun. The caudex will grow to more than 2 ft, the vines reach for more than 12 ft. The bell-shaped flowers are pink. The plant is very showy; it can be kept in a pot as a bonsai and is easy to control as a container specimen, just needs a little trellis, otr can be pruned. Fast growing.
See picture of plants with caudex

Jaboticaba. One of the most popular native fruit of Brazil. Grape-like purple fruit with a thick skin and delicious melting pulp somewhat resembling Northern Black Currant in flavor. Small white flowers grow right on the trunk ("cauliflora" means "flowers growing on trunk). Trees grow very slowly and due to small leaves and dwarfish growth habit are often used as bonsai. Some old bonsai specimens can fruit.
See video about a mail ordered Jaboticaba tree.

Jacaranda trees are known for their stunning purple flowers, which bloom in late spring and early summer. These trees are native to South America and are commonly found in tropical and subtropical regions around the world. Jacaranda trees are fast-growing and can reach heights of up to 50 feet. They have a distinctive umbrella-like canopy and fern-like leaves, which make them popular as ornamental trees in gardens and parks. In addition to their attractive flowers, jacaranda trees are also prized for their hardwood, which is strong and durable. The wood is often used in the construction of furniture and other wood products. Jacaranda trees are also known for their ability to thrive in a variety of soil conditions and are resistant to many pests and diseases. They are relatively easy to care for, making them a popular choice for gardeners and landscapers. Overall, jacaranda trees are a beautiful and versatile addition to any garden, and their striking purple flowers are sure to add a splash of color to any landscape.
See Article about this plant.

Jatropha (Gout plant) is an attention grabber and a must in every tropical garden. It has a large bottle-like caudex and huge leaves up to 10-12 inches in diameter. The more shade, the bigger the leaves. Great natural bonsai. Makes a good potted plant but can also be used as a conversation piece specimen in a small garden.

Corkbush. Outstanding sprays of purple/lilac, pea-like flowers cover the shrub from early Spring thru Summer, attracting butterflies. Very showy "corky" bark. Great plant for bonsai!

Miniature Orange Jasmine. This dwarf variety of murraya stays compact. The shrub gets bushy but stays short 1-2ft tall. Very fragrant flowers year round followed by red fruit. Good for potting culture and as a house plant. This plant is very interesting. The seedlings start blooming in small 1-2" size, when they have only 3-4 leaves! It needs lots of direct sun, likes to be somewhat on a dry side. Do not push it with fertilizer. It is VERY slow-growing. In 2 years it may grow as little as 1 ft tall, this is why it is called Mini. But the good thing is it starts blooming in few weeks to 1-2 months after germination!
No shipping. Local pick-up only. This plant may be available per request. Ask at the office if we have it at the moment.

Dwarf form of favorite Pandanus with large heads of cascading green and yellow thin leaves. You can have a nice exotic Screw Pine as a dwarf in a pot.

Elephant's Food, Elephant Bush, Baby Jade. This interesting plant can be used as an indoor bonsai where sunlight or strong artificial light is sufficiently available. The common names derive from the succulent nature of the plant's leaves and stout trunk. The diameter of the trunk can grow to 9" or more.
In Africa, it is a favorite food for both Elephants and Rhinoceros, and is grown in farms for feeding both animals and people. The foliage when eaten raw, steamed, lightly boiled, or especially stir-fried, is not only delicious but actually very nutritious, containing more beneficial Beta 3 fatty acids than most fish.
Read interesting Article about this plant.

Shaving Brush Tree - Bonsai Starter, 3 year old very cute looking plant with large caudex. This is one of the best candidates in existence for large bonsai! Although this plant can grow into a giant tree, but it can also be kept contained in a pot: this causes it to grow a massive caudex that resembles a tortoise shell! It is a unique choice for bonsai due to its striking flowers and distinctive trunk. As a bonsai, it features a swollen base (caudex) that gives it a sturdy and aged look, even when young. Huge, brush-like white flowers that look like shaving brushes emerge after winter dormancy, before foliage. It's a beautiful and exotic option for bonsai enthusiasts.
See pictures of the bonsai starter and of the flowering bonsai.

Tree fuchsia, African walnut. Schotia brachypetala is a slow growing, handsome, small tree with a wide-spreading, densely branched, rounded crown. The flowers are rich deep red, and are produced in masses, in dense branched heads on the old wood.

Starfish Flower, Giant Toad Flower, Carrion Flower. This spine-free succulent, Stapelia gigantea, is one of the plant world's giants and belongs to the milkweed family. It thrives in dry desert areas from Tanzania to South Africa. Its name "Carrion" comes from its unique scent that's similar to rotting meat, attracting pollinating flies who find the aroma irresistible. The standout feature of this plant is its large, fleshy star-shaped flowers, flaunting pale ochre-yellow petals with thin maroon lines. It blooms in the fall when daylight hours shorten. Despite its unusual smell, it makes for a stunning container plant with its 4-angled, succulent stems that grow upright to 8-12" before sprawling sideways. Plants in the ground can reach up to 24" wide. When it seeds, each pod looks like a mini milkweed parachute. Let's also appreciate its interesting background - the genus name honors Dutch physician Johannes Bodaeus van Stapel from the 1600s.
See video: Bizzare starfish flower - Stapelia gigantea.

Sacred Buddhist, Wondrous Wrightia. A rare plant with heavily fragrant flowers. This variety is easier to grow than double flower variety; it is more vigorous. May drop leaves in winter.

Variegated Sacred Buddhist - veriegated semi-dwarf variety of wrightia, it is one of the most beautiful, exciting and useful plants among fragrant tropicals. A very fragrant, enchanting shrub, flowers are fruity scented, pendant, are born along its twiggy branches. See picture of bonsai.May drop leaves in winter.

Heat Pack (Shipping Warmer) maintains warm temperature while plants are in transit for up to 72-96 hours (depending on outside temperature). Heat Pack is a must if temperature drops below 40F in your area. Large orders require 2-3 packs. When ordering large 3-7 gal size plants (especially sensitive ultra-tropical plants), you may need 1 pack per plant. Contact us for more information and advise on particular species.
Without heat pack, your order shipping may be postponed until weather permitting.

Fish Poison Tree. This curious plant grows in sand or sand-mix with lots of water and sun. The stem will reach for up to 60Ft, and the flowers are white. What seems to be a caudex is just the large nut which will disappear by time. The young leaves are a beautiful bronze with pinkish veins. Old leaves turn yellowish. The flowers are delightful puff balls of white stamens tipped with pink. They open at night and attract large moths and nectar-feeding bats with their heavy scent.

Bougainvillea arborea is a thornless and fragrant species. Free-standing small bushy tree with lavender-pink blooms. Very rare variety very much wanted because its compact and slow growth habit. The tree usually doesn