The Ultimate Guide to Selecting a Bonsai Course (For Beginners)

If you're just getting started with bonsai, the number of courses out there can feel overwhelming. This guide is a carefully curated, no-fluff walkthrough of the best beginner-friendly bonsai classes worldwide—ranked by accessibility, clarity, mentorship, and value for money.

For a full list of courses options, go here.

🌱 What Makes a Bonsai Course Beginner-Friendly?

For the purposes of this guide, we define beginner courses as those that:

• Require no prior experience with trees or horticulture
• Explain core principles like wiring, pruning, soil composition, watering
• Provide visual step-by-step demos of basic techniques
• Teach tree species selection and care routines
• Cover tool use and tree styling from scratch
• Offer community or Q&A support for newcomers

🌍 Best Bonsai Courses for Beginners

1. Bonsai Empire – Beginner's Course

• Instructor: Oscar Jonker
• Focus: Bonsai basics, wiring, pruning, species guide
• Access: Lifetime
• Price: $39.99 USD
• Strengths:
  • Clear video lessons
  • Downloadable handouts
  • High production quality

2. Bonsai Mirai – Fundamentals Course

• Instructor: Ryan Neil
• Focus: Intro to tree health, watering, repotting, wiring
• Access: Monthly subscription
• Price: $24/month (Essentials tier)
• Strengths:
  • Strong focus on tree health
  • Beautiful visuals and storytelling
  • Accessible for total novices

3. Udemy – Bonsai for Beginners

• Instructor: Dave Stilwell
• Focus: Indoor/outdoor care, tree types, bonsai history
• Access: Lifetime
• Price: ~$19.99 (varies by sale)
• Strengths:
  • Inexpensive
  • Covers a broad range of species
  • Great for indoor growers

4. Bonsai4Me – Online Introduction Course

• Instructor: Harry Harrington
• Focus: Wiring, pruning, potting, British species
• Access: Lifetime
• Price: £35 (~$45 USD)
• Strengths:
  • Practical, no-nonsense approach
  • Emphasis on affordability and UK-native trees

5. YouTube – Herons Bonsai Channel

• Instructor: Peter Chan
• Focus: Free-form lessons, wiring, styling, propagation
• Access: Free
• Price: Free
• Strengths:
  • Legendary teacher
  • Hundreds of free videos
  • Great for visual learners on a budget

🧮 Beginner Course Comparison Matrix

Course NameTree FocusInteractivityPricePlatform TypeBest ForBonsai Empire BeginnersIndoor/outdoorLow$39.99StructuredVisual learners who want a planMirai FundamentalsOutdoor, pinesMedium$24/monthSubscriptionDesign-first thinkersUdemy BeginnersIndoor & basicLow~$19.99One-time accessBudget-conscious newcomersBonsai4MeOutdoor, UKLow–Medium~$45StructuredUK/EU beginnersHerons Bonsai (YouTube)Mixed speciesLowFreeUnstructuredCasual learners, hands-on viewers

🎯 Beginner Course Selection Criteria

• If you want a clear, structured path: Go with Bonsai Empire
• If you’re more into visual inspiration and design: Start with Mirai Fundamentals
• If you’re on a tight budget: Herons Bonsai or Udemy are both great options
• If you live in the UK or Europe and want practical tips for local trees: Check out Bonsai4Me

🌳 Final Tips for Beginners

• Start with a hardy tree like a juniper, ficus, or Chinese elm
• Don't overwater! It’s the #1 killer of beginner trees
• Practice wiring on nursery stock before touching an expensive tree
• Watch and rewatch pruning lessons—timing matters
• Join a local club or online group for peer feedback

You're not just learning a hobby—you're learning patience, balance, and an entirely new way to observe time. Choose a course that brings joy and clarity to your bonsai journey.