Hello,

I am a complete beginner when it comes to bonsai. I want to get into this amazing art. I do have a major constraints though. I do not have a garden or patio for outdoor bonsai so I am left with indoor growing with artificial lighting. I live in Thailand, Bangkok. Weather is hot an humid here all year round. Indoor temperatures fluctuate between 25C to 30C depending the time of the day (air conditioning or not) as well as time of the year. I have been doing some reading and it seems I don't have many choices when it comes to indoor tree species. The following are the ones I have managed to identify:

Ficus Bonsai
Ficus neriifolia
Crassula (Jade)
Carmona (Fukien Tea)
Schefflera Arboricola (Hawaiian Umbrella)
Sageretia (Sweet Plum)
Carissa macrocarpa
Portulacaria afra
Feroniella lucida

It seems the ficus is the most common and easiest tree for indoor bonsai. This said I don't really like the big leaves and I rather prefer smaller leaves. Perhaps there are other species of ficus that have small leaves but I am not an expert.
There are also other trees with smaller leaves but some are thorn trees which I want to avoid.

With the above in mind could anyone recommend a good candidate as an indoor bonsai tree for a beginner?

Thank you.

Dont you have a window with sun comming in to put the plant in?

Br
Magnus

I do have a window yes but the light is rather dim due to shadowing from patio roof plus I have furniture next to window so not really possible.

Crassula dont require much Light. I think it might be the best option if you dont want to ruin yourself on expensive artificial Light.

Br
Magnus

I got a head start and got myself a Ficus Annulata (www.nwk.ac.th/botanical/showdetail.php?id=000043) following the advice of some locals.

It is often wise to listen to locals with experience in growing bonsai. Most of us in here grow on quite different conditions.

Br
Magnus