Behati Prinsloo and Adam Levine’s Bonsai Trees Make a Calming, Sculptural Statement – and You Can Get the Look With Beginner-Friendly Plants

When Victoria’s Secret Angel Behati Prinsloo and her Maroon 5 frontman husband, Adam Levine, opened up their Los Angeles home for Architectural Digest, they explained that they had not just changed zip codes, but their lifestyle as well. Adam explained, “Beverly Hills just started to feel hectic. It’s strangely central, so we felt surrounded by the city. We wanted to live somewhere quieter, where you don’t hear the traffic and feel the stress.”

Behati, who shared the shoot on Instagram, made a particularly telling contribution to the move. “The only things we brought were the art and the bonsai trees, which are my other little kids,” she said. On display in the couple's living room is one of their prized specimens: a ficus ginseng, which, despite being one of the best bonsai trees for beginners to grow, is also one of the most characterful.

Behati and Adam's attachment to their bonsai trees speaks volumes about the power plants have in our lives, especially in winter when the garden goes quiet. Take a cue out of the couple's book and add a small curated collection of sculptural plants like bonsais to give your home a peaceful, calming feeling.

Easy Bonsai Trees to Try

A unique bonsai tree is like living art, and caring for one is a therapeutic hobby. However, it's essential to note that not all bonsais are well-suited for indoor growing. Here are some beginner bonsais suitable for interior spaces.

1. Ficus Ginseng

This is one of the easiest types of bonsai to grow as it’s tolerant of dry air and inconsistent light, making it perfect for those who prefer a plant they don’t need to maintain too much. Its exposed roots make it particularly striking.

The glossy green leaves of ficus ginseng give it a lush, sculptural look year-round, and it responds well to gentle pruning, so you can easily keep its shape neat. As long as it’s kept somewhere warm and watered when the soil dries out, it will happily thrive with minimal fuss.

This Costa Farms Bonsai Ficus from Lowe’s is perfect as it’s super compact and comes in a white pot that will match any space.

2. Schefflera

This is a hardy, beginner-friendly bonsai that suits indoor environments particularly well. Schefflera, also known as the umbrella tree, thrives in bright but filtered light and adapts easily to average household humidity.

Consistent watering is key, as the roots should never be allowed to fully dry out. To keep growth compact, pinch back new shoots regularly to encourage finer branching and smaller leaves. As the stems remain flexible only when young, shaping is best achieved through pruning rather than wiring.

Try this Bonsaiboy Hawaiian Umbrella Bonsai Tree, available via Amazon.

3. Jade

Jade bonsai are valued for their compact size and thick, fleshy leaves, which store water and make them especially tolerant of occasional neglect. As a succulent, jade prefers warm indoor conditions and plenty of light, performing best on a bright windowsill with several hours of sun each day.

Pick up a jade bonsai starter kit from L&J Nursery via Amazon.

Regular trimming helps maintain a tidy silhouette and encourages branching, though shaping is best done gradually. Wiring is possible but should be done with care, as soft stems can mark easily. Repot in spring every couple of years, leaving the soil dry for several days afterwards to reduce the risk of root issues.

Bonsai Beginner's Kit

Where to Place Your Bonsai

Positioning your bonsai is surprisingly important, and something a lot of people probably don’t consider, not just for the care of the plant, but for aesthetic purposes and good feng shui. You’ll want to set it in a place where people naturally tend to look: close to a window, at the end of a hallway, or next to a reading chair.

Avoid overcrowding it with other decorations, as negative space will make it look purposeful rather than just thrown there without much thought.

Make sure you rotate the plant at least once a week to keep growth looking balanced and keep it away from any heat sources in your home.

These Kate and Laurel plant stands at Target are perfect for elevating your plant if you have lower tables or just want it at eye level. These come in a variety of colors, from walnut to black or gold.

Styling Your Bonsai

To allow the plant’s shape to do the talking, keep it in a pot that isn’t too showy; something in ceramic, stone, or concrete in a neutral color will do.

If you want something a little extra, you can always top it with moss or a simple tray underneath the pot, but nothing too fussy.

Bonsai Care Tips

• Place your bonsai in bright, indirect light unless the species prefers full sun
• Water when the top of the soil feels slightly dry, not on a strict schedule
• Use well-draining bonsai soil to prevent root rot
• Mist occasionally to help with humidity, especially indoors
• Prune regularly to maintain shape and encourage healthy growth
• Feed lightly during the growing season with a balanced fertiliser
• Avoid sudden temperature changes or cold drafts

Winter gardening doesn’t have to be about sitting around and waiting for spring. A single, well-chosen statement plant like a bonsai can completely transform your space while also reducing stress and keeping you connected to nature.