How Long Do Bonsai Plants Live?

Bonsai tree

Bonsai, a form of living art that comes from China but was popularized in Japan, is the cultivation of small trees inside containers. Depending on the tree and the care given, bonsais can live for a very, very long time.

Time Frame

Bonsai trees can live for many decades with the proper care. According to Bonsai Junction, there are many bonsai trees that have been alive for more than a century.

Repository

Many of the oldest living bonsai trees are found in botanical gardens. In the United States, the National Arboretum in Washington D.C. is home to numerous venerable bonsai trees.

Fun Fact

According to Bonsai Junction, one of the oldest living bonsais is found in the Tokyo Imperial Palace. This plant is more than 500 years old, more than twice the age of the United States.

References

• Bonsai Junction: Life Expectancy of a Bonsai Tree -- Will it Outlive Me?
• U.S. National Arboretum: Bonsai Virtual Tour