Definitive Guide to Selecting a Bonsai Course for Any Skill Level

Whether you're a complete beginner or an advanced practitioner, there's a bonsai course to suit your needs. This guide covers a selection of online courses, both pre-recorded and live/interactive.

Pre-Recorded Online Bonsai Courses (Self-Paced)

These courses offer on-demand video lectures and tutorials, allowing you to learn at your own pace.

• Bonsai Beginners Course (Bonsai Empire)
  • Provider/Platform: Bonsai Empire (Online self-paced course)
  • Instructor: Oscar Jonker, author and founder of Bonsai Empire.
  • Style/School: Traditional Japanese bonsai fundamentals, focusing on classical techniques and aesthetics.
  • Format: 17 pre-recorded video lessons with online access.
  • Duration: ~2.5 hours of video content.
  • Price: $49.99 USD (one-time purchase).
  • Skill Level: Beginner. Designed for complete novices.
  • Key Topics: Fundamental care, styling techniques, basic horticulture, tool use, pruning, wiring, species-specific styling.
  • Certification: Certificate awarded upon completion.
  • Link: Bonsai Beginners Course – Bonsai Empire
• Bonsai Intermediate Course (Bonsai Empire)
  • Provider/Platform: Bonsai Empire
  • Instructor: Bjorn Bjorholm, professional bonsai artist with Japanese apprenticeship.
  • Style/School: Classical Japanese techniques with practical application across species.
  • Format: 24 pre-recorded video lessons with online access.
  • Duration: ~3.5 hours of video content.
  • Price: $69.99 USD (one-time purchase).
  • Skill Level: Intermediate. For those with basic bonsai knowledge.
  • Key Topics: Advanced wiring, pruning, species-specific guidance (conifers, deciduous), design aesthetics.
  • Certification: Certificate of completion.
  • Link: Bonsai Intermediate Course – Bonsai Empire
• Bonsai Fundamentals Course (Bonsai Empire)
  • Provider/Platform: Bonsai Empire
  • Instructor: Michael Hagedorn, American bonsai artist with Japanese apprenticeship.
  • Style/School: Conceptual fundamentals blending Eastern and Western perspectives, plant physiology, and Japanese aesthetics.
  • Format: 22 high-definition pre-recorded video lessons.
  • Duration: ~2 hours of video content.
  • Price: $64.99 USD (one-time purchase).
  • Skill Level: Intermediate (also valuable to advanced practitioners).
  • Key Topics: Plant physiology, Japanese aesthetics, bonsai design theory.
  • Certification: Certificate of completion.
  • Link: Bonsai Fundamentals Course – Bonsai Empire
• Advanced Bonsai Course (Bonsai Empire)
  • Provider/Platform: Bonsai Empire
  • Instructor: Bjorn Bjorholm
  • Style/School: Advanced Japanese techniques and artistic concepts.
  • Format: 26 pre-recorded video lessons, nearly 6 hours of footage.
  • Duration: ~6 hours of video content.
  • Price: $84.99 USD (one-time purchase).
  • Skill Level: Advanced. For experienced bonsai practitioners.
  • Key Topics: Bonsai philosophy, advanced grafting, deadwood carving, heavy bending, design aesthetics.
  • Certification: Certificate of completion.
  • Link: Advanced Bonsai Course – Bonsai Empire
• Developing Deciduous Bonsai (Bonsai Empire)
  • Provider/Platform: Bonsai Empire
  • Instructors: Mauro Stemberger, Walter Pall, and Harry Harrington.
  • Style/School: Deciduous and broadleaf evergreen bonsai development.
  • Format: 26 pre-recorded video lessons, ~10 hours of content.
  • Duration: ~10 hours of video content.
  • Price: $79.99 USD (one-time purchase).
  • Skill Level: Intermediate to Advanced.
  • Key Topics: Branch structure, ramification, wiring, carving, apex design, yamadori.
  • Certification: Certificate of completion.
  • Link: Developing Deciduous Bonsai – Bonsai Empire
• Developing Coniferous Bonsai (Bonsai Empire)
  • Provider/Platform: Bonsai Empire
  • Instructors: Mauro Stemberger, Walter Pall, and Harry Harrington.
  • Style/School: Conifer bonsai development (junipers, pines, etc.).
  • Format: 23 pre-recorded video lessons, ~10 hours of content.
  • Duration: ~10 hours of video.
  • Price: $79.99 USD (one-time purchase).
  • Skill Level: Intermediate (with plenty to offer advanced enthusiasts as well).
  • Key Topics: Material selection, initial styling, heavy bending, deadwood creation, apex design, refinement.
  • Certification: Certificate of completion.
  • Link: Developing Coniferous Bonsai – Bonsai Empire
• Kimura Aesthetics Masterclass (Bonsai Empire)
  • Provider/Platform: Bonsai Empire
  • Instructor: Masahiko Kimura.
  • Style/School: High-level bonsai design and aesthetics.
  • Format: ~15 pre-recorded video lessons, ~4 hours total.
  • Duration: ~4 hours of content.
  • Price: $89.99 USD (one-time purchase).
  • Skill Level: Advanced (Expert).
  • Key Topics: Design process, high-level techniques, rock planting composition.
  • Certification: Certificate of completion.
  • Link: Kimura Aesthetics Masterclass – Bonsai Empire
• Kimura Techniques Masterclass (Bonsai Empire)
  • Provider/Platform: Bonsai Empire
  • Instructor: Masahiko Kimura.
  • Style/School: Advanced bonsai creation techniques.
  • Format: ~15 pre-recorded video lessons, ~4 hours total.
  • Duration: ~4 hours.
  • Price: $99.99 USD (one-time purchase).
  • Skill Level: Advanced/Expert.
  • Key Topics: Deadwood creation with power tools, extreme bending, complete tree redesign.
  • Certification: Certificate of completion.
  • Link: Kimura Techniques Masterclass – Bonsai Empire
• Bonsai 101 (The Bonsai Dojo by Bonsai-En)
  • Provider/Platform: The Bonsai Dojo
  • Instructor: Joshua “Josh” Hooson.
  • Style/School: Modern Western bonsai education with a strong foundation in fundamentals.
  • Format: Pre-recorded video lessons with structured curriculum.
  • Duration: ~4.5 to 5 hours of video instruction.
  • Price: $64.99 USD (one-time purchase).
  • Skill Level: Beginner (and lower-intermediate).
  • Key Topics: Tools, plant material, horticultural techniques, soil, potting, styles.
  • Certification: Certificate of completion.
  • Link: Bonsai 101 Beginners Course – The Bonsai Dojo
• Bonsai Design Techniques (Craftsy)
  • Provider/Platform: Craftsy
  • Instructor: Colin Lewis.
  • Style/School: Traditional bonsai artistry with a focus on advanced styling and refinement.
  • Format: 7 HD pre-recorded video lessons, ~2.5 hours total.
  • Duration: ~2 hours 35 minutes of video content.
  • Price: Approximately $39.99 USD.
  • Skill Level: Intermediate to Advanced.
  • Key Topics: Design visualization, branch shaping, junipers, deadwood, heavy bending, refinement.
  • Certification: No formal certificate, but Q&A and downloadable materials available.
  • Link: Bonsai Design Techniques – Craftsy

Live & Interactive Bonsai Courses and Workshops

• Bonsai Mirai Live (Mirai Academy)
  • Provider/Platform: Bonsai Mirai
  • Instructor(s): Ryan Neil (primary instructor and host).
  • Style/School: Contemporary Western bonsai grounded in Japanese technique.
  • Format: Weekly live streams, on-demand library, community forum.
  • Duration: Ongoing subscription.
  • Price: Subscription model with tiers: Basic – $9.99/month, Standard – $17.99/month, Pro – $29.99/month.
  • Skill Level: All Levels (Beginner to professional).
  • Key Topics: Fundamentals, techniques, design, species-specific care, seasonal workshops.
  • Certification: No formal certificate, but strong feedback and community interaction.
  • Link: Bonsai Mirai Live – Mirai Academy
• Private Interactive Lessons (Eastern Leaf / Jason Chan)
  • Provider: Eastern Leaf
  • Instructor: Jason Chan.
  • Style/School: Practical and student-centered, tailored to individual needs.
  • Format: Live one-on-one lessons via Zoom or in-person.
  • Duration: 1 hour per session.
  • Price: $100 per hour.
  • Skill Level: Any level – completely customized.
  • Key Topics: Design consultation, technique learning, routine care, project guidance.
  • Certification: No formal certificate, but direct feedback.
  • Link: Private Virtual Bonsai Lesson – Eastern Leaf