Tiny Trees: The Complete List

In small patios, windowsills, and bonsai shelves, compact woody plants bring scale, texture and year-round interest to tight spaces. Learning which species suit your light, watering routine and display goals makes the difference between a temporary pot specimen and a long-lived miniature tree.

There are 45 tiny trees, ranging from Azalea (Satsuki/formosa bonsai) to Trident maple (bonsai form). For each entry you’ll find below the key fields Scientific name,Mature height (cm),Best uses to help you compare size, placement and purpose — details you’ll find below.

How do I pick the right tiny tree for a balcony or small garden?

Look first at Mature height (cm) and Best uses to match scale and function: choose shallow-rooted, slow-growing species for shallow containers and sun-loving varieties for bright balconies. Consider evergreen vs. deciduous, local hardiness, and how much pruning you’ll do; the Scientific name helps you research species-specific care.

What basic care differences should I expect between species on the list?

Expect variation: some, like satsuki azaleas, need acidic soil and regular watering, while maples prefer freer-draining mixes and seasonal dormancy. Plan for repotting every few years, monitor drainage and fertilize lightly during growth — matching care to each species keeps small trees healthy in containers.

Tiny Trees

Images and Descriptions

Japanese maple ‘Kiyohime’

Compact Japanese maple from Japan, bred for dense habit and small leaves. Stays naturally short in pots, prized for red fall color and fine texture, ideal for patios and bonsai displays with vivid seasonal interest.

Japanese maple ‘Shaina’

Dwarf Japanese maple selected for tight, upright form and bright autumn color. Originates from Japan selections; commonly sold as a patio specimen and bonsai due to small stature and durable foliage.

Dwarf Alberta spruce

Slow-growing conifer from North America cultivated as a dense, conical dwarf tree. Keeps neat compact shape in containers and small gardens, popular for year-round evergreen form and easy maintenance.

Hinoki cypress ‘Nana Gracilis’

Dwarf Japanese cypress with fine, fan-like foliage and sculptural habit. Native to Japan, widely sold for containers and bonsai; notable for textured form and glossy green color that ages gracefully.

Dwarf Hinoki ‘Filifera Nana’

Threadleaf dwarf cypress with narrow, cascading branches and soft texture. A compact cultivar originating from Asia, used in containers and small landscapes for its delicate, weeping habit.

Chinese elm ‘Seiju’

Small-leafed Chinese elm cultivar prized by bonsai artists. Native to East Asia, it tolerates pruning and pot culture well, producing fine ramification and attractive flaking bark on older specimens.

Trident maple (bonsai form)

Native to East Asia and a staple bonsai species, trident maple adapts readily to pot culture and pruning. Known for three-lobed leaves, good fall color and rugged, attractive bark on trained specimens.

Japanese black pine (bonsai)

Iconic coastal pine from Japan and Korea commonly used in bonsai collections. Keeps a compact profile when container-grown and pruned; prized for textured bark, rugged silhouette, and needle contrast.

Juniper ‘Procumbens Nana’

Low-growing Japanese juniper often used for bonsai and container landscapes. Originates from East Asia; maintains tiny foliage and spreading habit, excellent for rock gardens and informal mini-tree compositions.

Juniper ‘Shimpaku’

Highly valued Japanese juniper cultivar for bonsai, noted for dense foliage and elegant branch shapes. Native to East Asia and frequently sold as pre-trained bonsai due to sculptural form and rugged character.

Fukien tea (indoor bonsai)

Small-leaved tropical tree from Southeast Asia often grown as indoor bonsai. Produces tiny white flowers and glossy foliage; commonly sold as starter bonsai for home display and small-space gardening.

Serissa (Snowrose)

A small evergreen shrub-tree native to Southeast Asia, popularly trained as indoor bonsai. Known for many tiny white flowers and fine branching; stays compact and responds well to shaping and pot culture.

Ficus microcarpa ‘Ginseng’

Tropical fig from Southeast Asia with a bulbous aerial-root caudex often sold as indoor bonsai. Stays compact in pots and is prized for sculptural trunk form and easy indoor culture.

Ficus retusa (small forms)

Ficus species with compact cultivars commonly sold for indoor and patio container use. Native to tropical Asia, they tolerate pruning and root restriction, making them popular for indoor small-tree displays.

Carmona (Fukien tea)

Small evergreen Asian species commonly sold as indoor bonsai. Noted for glossy small leaves, tiny white blossoms, and suitability for tight container growth in homes and patios.

Azalea (Satsuki/formosa bonsai)

Satsuki azalea varieties from Japan are classic flowering bonsai subjects. Keep compact size with frequent pruning; famous for spectacular spring blooms and glossy foliage in container and patio displays.

Dwarf pomegranate ‘Nana’

Compact cultivar of pomegranate from the Mediterranean region, grown for small ornamental fruit and bright flowers. Popular in pots and bonsai culture due to manageable size and colorful blooms.

Calamondin orange

Small, fragrant citrus from Southeast Asia used as ornamental patio and indoor fruit tree. Produces small tart fruit year-round and thrives in containers, popular for compact edible gardening and display.

Dwarf Meyer lemon

Meyer lemon with dwarf selections kept small for pots; originally from China and widely cultivated. Fragrant blossoms and edible fruit make it a favorite patio or indoor fruit tree.

Kumquat

Tiny, tough citrus from East Asia that stays small and produces edible, sweet-tart fruit. Often grown in pots and used as ornamental patio trees or bonsai, prized for bright orange fruits and glossy leaves.

Dwarf olive ‘Arbequina’ (patio)

Spanish-origin olive variety that tolerates pot culture and can be maintained under 150 cm in containers. Valued for small fruit, silvery foliage and Mediterranean character on patios and terraces.

Patio apple ‘Ballerina’ series

Columnar-style dwarf apple cultivars bred for tight, upright habit and small size in containers. Produce full-size fruit on compact trees suitable for patios and urban gardens.

Dwarf fig ‘Petite Negra’

Compact fig cultivar selected for container culture and small gardens. Originating from Mediterranean fig tradition, it bears full-flavored fruit while staying manageable in pots.

Podocarpus ‘Maki’

Slow-growing evergreen from East Asia used as indoor small tree and bonsai. Has narrow, glossy leaves and responds well to pruning and container growth; popular for formal small-tree shapes.

Ginkgo ‘Mariken’

Dwarf ginkgo cultivar originating in the Netherlands, selected for compact, multi-stemmed habit. Keeps a small profile in pots, prized for fan-shaped leaves and golden autumn color.

Dwarf yew ‘Repandens’

Low-growing English yew cultivar used in containers and small-scale topiary. Native to Europe, it has dense evergreen foliage and tolerates pruning to maintain compact tree forms.

Coffee tree (bonsai/compact)

Tropical understory tree grown in dwarf forms for indoor pots and bonsai. Produces glossy leaves and aromatic coffee cherries in small-scale culture, popular for edible novelty and compact stature.

Olive bonsai (miniature forms)

Mediterranean olive commonly used as a bonsai and patio tree. Selective pruning and container growth keep it tiny; known for silvery leaves, gnarled trunks and drought tolerance.

Crabapple ‘Evereste’ (patio)

Small ornamental crabapple from Europe bred for compact habit, abundant spring flowers and small decorative fruit. Well-suited for containers and urban patios with regular pruning to maintain size.

Satsuki azalea (tree-form)

Satsuki azaleas trained as mini trees create dramatic spring displays. Native to Japan, they offer vivid blooms and respond well to container culture, prized in bonsai and patio planting.

Crape myrtle ‘Tonto’ (dwarf)

Compact crape myrtle cultivar with showy summer flowers and attractive bark. Originating from Asia, ‘Tonto’ stays small and is ideal for container culture and hot-summer patios.

Dwarf cherry ‘Kojo-no-mai’

Tiny flowering cherry from Japan prized for bonsai and tight garden spaces. Produces early spring blossoms, contorted trunk habit and small size, making it a charming patio specimen.

Japanese quince (tree form)

East Asian shrub often trained into small tree forms for container display and bonsai. Noted for bright spring flowers and small fruit; keeps compact habit when pruned and pot-grown.

Hornbeam ‘Fastigiata’ (dwarf forms)

European hornbeam with compact, columnar dwarf selections suitable for containers. Hardy and long-lived; offers textured bark and fine foliage when maintained at small sizes on patios.

Dwarf hawthorn

Compact hawthorn cultivar producing spring flowers and small ornamental berries. Native to Europe, this selection stays manageable in pots and is often used as a patio fruit or ornamental mini-tree.

Dwarf magnolia ‘Little Gem’ (compact)

Evergreen magnolia cultivar selected for smaller, columnar habit with large fragrant flowers. Southern US origin; performs well in large containers and small gardens when pruned to maintain size.

Hawthorn bonsai (various)

Various hawthorns from temperate regions commonly trained as bonsai and patio trees. Offer spring flowers, textured bark and small ornamental fruits while responding well to pruning and pot culture.

Serbian spruce dwarf forms

Balkan spruce selections bred for compact growth. Narrow habit and fine needles make them attractive container conifers, suitable for patios and rock garden settings with a compact footprint.

Dwarf almond (bush trained)

Almond cultivars selected for compact habit and container culture. Mediterranean origin; when trained as small trees they produce fragrant spring blossoms and edible nuts on manageable, small-sized specimens.

Rock pine (Pinus mugo dwarf)

Mountain pine from Europe often selected as dwarf cultivars for rock gardens and containers. Keeps a dense, shrubby tree form with needle texture and rugged character suitable for small-space planting.

Dwarf holly ‘Convexa’

Japanese holly cultivar with small evergreen leaves and tidy habit. Used in bonsai and containers for neat, tree-like shapes; resembles boxwood but is a true holly with seasonal interest.

Blue star juniper (dwarf)

Compact Asian juniper with silvery-blue foliage and dense mound habit. Grows well in pots and rock gardens, appreciated for color contrast and low maintenance in small-space plantings.

Elderberry ‘Laciniata’ dwarf

Dwarf elderberry selections offer ornamental fern-like foliage and clusters of flowers. European origin and often grown in containers for edible berries and compact ornamental presence.

Coral bark maple (dwarf)

Japanese coral bark maple prized for coral-red twigs and graceful form. Dwarf selections maintain a compact stature in pots and small gardens, offering winter stem color and elegant branching.

Hinoki ‘Nana Lutescens’

Dwarf Lawson cypress with golden, fine-textured foliage. Originating from horticultural selections, it suits containers and bonsai, delivering bright color and compact, conical habit for small spaces.

Other Tiny Types