Bonsai Collection

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A Living Art Form

It’s believed that Buddhist monks from China introduced miniature trees (known as penjing) to Japan more than 1,000 years ago. There, the art form became highly formalized into what we know today as bonsai. In 1853, Japan’s 220-year-long policy of national isolation ended, opening ports for trade and cultural exchanges, including a wealth of horticultural arts and practices. Bonsai gained worldwide exposure at the Paris World Exposition in 1900.

Among the earliest exposures that Americans had with the art of bonsai were the 1876 Philadelphia Centennial Exposition, the World’s Columbian Exposition of 1893 in Chicago, the Louisiana Purchase Exposition (St. Louis World’s Fair) of 1904, and the 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition in San Francisco. At the latter, bonsai featured prominently in Japan’s three-acre exhibition.

Many American GIs stationed in Japan after World War II, who found the aesthetic and cultural significance of bonsai inspiring, acquired trees or learned the craft. Returning soldiers, alongside Japanese Americans who were rebuilding their lives, helped spread bonsai’s popularity. Today, California is home to more than 65 bonsai clubs and societies. Formed in 1950, the California Bonsai Society’s founders included the master bonsai cultivator John Yoshio Naka and teacher Ben Oki, who is considered the founding curator of the Golden State Bonsai Federation collection, housed at The Huntington, which also hosts the California Bonsai Society’s annual exhibition.

The Huntington’s bonsai collection comprises some 500 plants (with about 75 in the penjing collection) cared for by a staff of three with assistance from more than 100 volunteers, including a core group of 30 to 40 individuals. The collection is spread throughout two courtyards, with trees set on pedestals against a backdrop of handcrafted fence treatments. The two courtyards are linked by the Harry Hirao Suiseki Court, which features American

A potted plant with a trunk that appears unusually flat, twisting from a square planter.

An elegant, upright plant with gray and red bark emerging from a low, rectangular planter.

A small tree with bright green foliage twists upright from a rectangular planter box.

A leaning plant with white and brown bark emerges from a low, rectangular planter.

A California juniper (Juniperus californica) han-kengai or semi-cascade-style bonsai. Estimated age of original plant material: 1,500–1,800 years old. Collected from Jawbone Canyon in the Mojave Desert and displayed in a pot made by Sara Rayner. Collected, styled, and donated by Shig Miya. Photo by Andrew Mitchell. | The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens.

A California juniper bonsai (Juniperus californica) styled from plant material approximately 500 years old. Photo by Andrew Mitchell. | The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens.

A California juniper (Juniperus californica) moyogi or informal upright-style bonsai. Estimated age of original plant material: 1,000 years. Collected from Jawbone Canyon in the Mojave Desert in 2002, grafted in 2006, and styled by Tak Shimazu. Displayed in a Keizan Tokoname pot from Japan and donated by the Bergstein Family. Photo by Andrew Mitchell. | The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens.

A California juniper (Juniperus californica) shakan or slant-style bonsai. Estimated age of original plant material: 200–300 years. Collected from the Mojave Desert, displayed in a Tokoname pot from Japan, and donated by Grigsby Cactus Gardens. Photo by Andrew Mitchell. | The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is bonsai?

Bonsai isn’t a special type of tree—it’s the art of growing regular trees in containers using pruning, wiring, and care techniques that keep them small while maintaining the look of a mature tree. The Japanese word “bonsai” translates as “tree in a pot.” Bonsai are living plants, typically a tree, shrub, or woody herb, grown in a pot and trained to develop characteristics found in a very old tree.

How old are bonsai trees?

There are two ways to measure bonsai age: real age (the time the tree has been growing) and the age of training (the time the tree has been worked on). Some trees in The Huntington’s collection were hundreds of years old when they were collected for training into bonsai. Others were under 20 years old. Both might have the same age of training. There are a few trees in the collection that have been in training since the 1950s, which is old for an American bonsai.

Where do bonsai trees come from?

Some trees, such as the California junipers and oaks, are collected from nature. To collect trees on public lands, permits from the U.S. Forest Service or Bureau of Land Management are required. The permits are not prohibitively expensive, and bonsai groups often arrange collecting expeditions. Permission from the landowner is required to collect trees on private property. Other bonsai trees, like pomegranates, are collected from urban landscapes. Many come from plant nurseries. The bonsai displayed at The Huntington have been donated or acquired from private bonsai hobbyists, primarily but not exclusively from Southern California. The Huntington’s collection, which includes the Golden State Bonsai Federation collection, features some of the finest and oldest examples of bonsai in the United States.

How do bonsai trees stay alive in such small containers?

The trees are grown in a mix of crushed and cleaned lava, pumice, and naturally compressed clay aggregate, including imported Japanese clay products. This mix provides a stable structure with a balance of aeration, water, and nutrient storage, and a sharpness that promotes strong root development.

Are bonsai trees hard to care for?

Not necessarily. Like any plant, bonsai need attention, but once you understand their watering and light requirements, they’re very manageable. Many people find that caring for bonsai is calming.

Can bonsai live indoors, or do they need to be outside?

Some bonsai can live indoors, but most trees prefer to be outside where they receive natural light and seasonal changes. Trees generally need ample light and good air circulation, and they benefit from the moisture in the air. Indoor spaces are usually too dark and dry for them to thrive. Different types of trees have different light needs. In many cases, they want full morning sun and shade or partial shade in the afternoon when temperatures rise.

What’s wrapped around the branches?

Some branches are wrapped in wire, either anodized (colored) aluminum or annealed (heated/softened) copper. Wire is used to move and hold a trunk or branches in a certain position until new tissues grow and harden. Branches are wired in a spiral fashion, so even if the wrap cuts into the tree, it won’t girdle the branch, or cut off the sap flow all the way around, which can kill a branch.

How often should I water my bonsai?

There is no fixed watering schedule for bonsai. Water is needed when the soil starts to dry out, which can vary by season, tree type, and location. The key to watering is checking the soil, not the calendar.

How long do bonsai trees live?

With proper care, bonsai can live for decades—even centuries. They often outlive their caretakers and are passed down through generations.

How do you keep a bonsai tree small?

Bonsai trees are maintained through the regular pruning of branches and roots. Pruning doesn’t harm the tree when it is done correctly. It actually keeps the tree healthy and encourages balanced growth.

Can they stay in their pots forever?

As a bonsai continues to grow, the pot will eventually fill with roots and compress, which can weaken a tree. Every once in a while, and only at the right time of year, a tree must be repotted, with some of the old soil and roots removed, and put in new bonsai mix so it has room for new roots to grow. Younger and deciduous trees need more frequent repotting; older conifers can sometimes stay in their pots for 15 to 20 years.

Why are bonsai trees so expensive?

The value of a bonsai is based on the time, skill, and care devoted to it. Many bonsai take years or decades to develop, and trained trees reflect the experience of the grower as much as the characteristics of the plant itself.

How do I get started in bonsai?

A local bonsai club is the best way to learn about the art and available resources, including teachers. The Golden State Bonsai Federation lists member clubs in California. The Huntington offers bonsai classes and workshops at various times throughout the year. Visit the Calendar or search the website for “bonsai” to learn about upcoming events.

What tools do I need to start bonsai?

You can start with just a pair of sharp pruning scissors. Specialized tools are helpful as you gain experience and develop skills, but they aren’t required for a beginner.

What’s the best bonsai tree for beginners?

Hardy, forgiving trees like Chinese Elm (Ulmus parvifolia), Juniper (Juniperus), and Boxwood (Buxus) are great for beginners. They adapt well and are resilient while you learn techniques and develop your skills.

Is bonsai more about gardening or art?

It’s both. Bonsai combines horticulture with artistic expression. There’s no single “correct” style. Each tree reflects the care and creativity of the person growing it.