Outstanding Twisty Chinese Elm Bonsai Kit – choose the colour of the watering can!
Product Code: Chinese Elm Kit 1 (IDCE50)
£93.99 Original price was: £93.99.£79.99Current price is: £79.99.
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.
FREE Next Working Day Delivery to most UK addresses — order by 3:25pm (Mon–Fri)
FREE Nominated-Day Delivery to most UK addresses on orders over £29.99
Trusted, Sustainable Growers — every bonsai is nurtured with love on our Devon nursery by bonsai experts
FREE Gift Message available on all orders
Not Home? No Problem — Our couriers can leave your order in a safe place and will notify you of your delivery slot
Secure, Bespoke Packaging – safe, tracked delivery
- 1x Twisty Chinese Elm (Ulmus parvifolia) Indoor Bonsai Tree - 12 years old
- 1x Medium Drip Tray
- 1x The Bonsai Direct Care Handbook
- 1x Small Bonsai Feed - 100ml
- 1x Small Bonsai Pruning Scissors - Great Value
- 1x Watering Can - Choose Colour
Outstanding Twisty Chinese Elm Bonsai Kit – Best Bonsai Kit for Beginners | 12-Year-Old Ulmus parvifolia
A Complete Bonsai Starter Set Designed for Success
Begin your bonsai journey with confidence using our Outstanding Beginners Kit, widely regarded as one of the best bonsai kits for beginners. This beautifully curated set includes everything needed to learn, grow, and enjoy the rewarding world of indoor bonsai. Expertly assembled by our family-run nursery in Devon, it offers exceptional value, expert styling, and all the tools to help a newcomer succeed.
The Centrepiece: A Majestic 12-Year-Old Chinese Elm
At the heart of this kit sits a superb 12-year-old Chinese Elm (Ulmus parvifolia), lovingly hand-styled over many years to develop its elegant twisty trunk and perfect woodland proportions. The Chinese Elm is known for its glossy foliage, refined branching, and forgiving nature, making it the ideal species for beginners.
This bonsai displays an impressive S-shaped trunk with excellent taper, creating a balanced, artistic look suitable for any interior space. Potted into a classic blue glazed ceramic pot, it has the presence and maturity of a true indoor showpiece.
Everything You Need in One Outstanding Beginner Kit
This premium starter bundle includes:
12-year-old Ulmus parvifolia Chinese Elm indoor bonsai
Matching dark-coloured drip tray for furniture protection and humidity
100ml liquid bonsai fertiliser (approx. 1-year supply)
Precision bonsai pruning scissors
Bonsai Direct comprehensive care handbook
Choice of six colourful watering cans (midnight blue, forest green, duck-egg blue, recycled black, sage green, vibrant red)
Each item has been carefully chosen to support new enthusiasts, making this one of the best bonsai kits for beginners entering the hobby.
Simple Indoor Care for Beginners
Position: Indoors in bright daylight; avoid direct sun in mid summer
Watering: Keep soil damp to the touch; never bone dry or soggy
Feeding: Apply bonsai fertiliser weekly to encourage new growth and vigour
Misting: Lightly mist several times a week to support humidity
Pruning: Trim regularly using the included scissors
Repotting: Every 2–3 years in early spring
The included handbook gives step-by-step guidance, species details, and troubleshooting tips to help beginners feel confident from day one.
Delivery & Personalisation Options
We offer free next working day delivery to most UK addresses, or you can choose your preferred delivery date at checkout. Add gift wrap, personalised tags, or balloons to make your kit the perfect present.
Why This Is the Best Bonsai Kit for Beginners
This outstanding kit brings together expert styling, essential tools, clear instructions, and a forgiving, beautifully shaped Chinese Elm — everything a beginner needs to succeed. Designed with care by Bonsai Direct’s expert growers, it offers exceptional quality, value, and long-term enjoyment.
Why Is Bonsai Direct the Top Online Bonsai Retailer?
Bonsai Direct stands as the UK’s leading online bonsai specialist. This is because we combine genuine horticultural expertise with exceptional customer care. As a family-run nursery in Devon, we grow and style thousands of bonsai every year. Using sustainable methods and hands-on experience refined over decades. We understand each tree individually and prepare every order with expert attention. Thus, ensuring your bonsai arrives healthy, beautiful, and ready to thrive.
Customers trust us for our consistency, transparency and the accuracy of our product photography. We never use stock images; each tree reflects real quality and real styling. Our detailed care guides, friendly advice and fast delivery service make the bonsai journey simple, enjoyable and successful for beginners and enthusiasts alike.
With unmatched product knowledge, carefully nurtured trees, and customer satisfaction described as second to none, Bonsai Direct continues to be the top choice for anyone seeking high-quality bonsai online.
| Species | 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. |
| Evergreen | Yes |
| Flowering/Fruiting | No |
| Age (years) | 12 |
| Height (cm) | 33 |
| Pot Size (cm) | 18 x 13 |
| Pot Colour | Blue |
| Indoor/Outdoor | Either - Protect from hard frosts |
| 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 |
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.
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 |
📘 Printed care guide included with all orders.
🚚 All bonsai tree orders can be tracked and our couriers will notify you of your delivery slot.
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 |
🎥 Extra help & videos are available on our website.
✅ Every bonsai is checked, watered & securely packaged before dispatch.
Expert Overview by Holly Noall
- Perfect for Beginners
- Rated 5 out of 5
- Easy to Grow
- Rated 5 out of 5
- Includes Care Accessories
- Rated 5 out of 5
- Air Purifying
- Rated 4 out of 5
- Value for Money
- Rated 5 out of 5
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 (or Zelkova), 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 corky bark as it matures. This adds a stunning texture to the trunk, creating an aged, natural look. Combine this with its small, elliptical 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 behavior. “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.
View Expert BioAll prices are inclusive of VAT at standard rate.
