Grow the quintessential coniferous bonsai tree with these Pinus Thunbergii seeds! The Japanese Black Pine is one of the easier bonsai seed varieties to grow, perfect for gardeners of all levels.

Instructions:

We recommend using the following to sow the seeds: 

• 12 Cavity Greenhouse or Planter with Humidity Dome
• Soil Pellets or Soil Pods 
• Liquid Fertilizer 

Pre-soaking and stratification is option, but helps with germination. Pre-soak by placing the seeds in room temperature-warm water for 24 hours. Stratify by placing in soil or sphagnum moss in a baggie or tupperware container and placing the container in a fridge for ~1-2 weeks. From there, sow the seeds in a greenhouse and keep warm and brightly lit. Acclimate seedlings to full sun gradually, or keep under grow lights.

(Find more info on germinating seeds by going to our seed guide)

These seeds are for the 2026 growing season.

About the seeds:

difficulty	beginner | intermediate | advanced
germination time	1 month
depth	1/8"-1/4”
spacing	1-3 seeds per nursery pot or greenhouse tray cell
recommended planter	2"-4" nursery pot or greenhouse to start (no terra cotta)
time to maturity	several years
seed prep	pre-soak | scarification | stratification | none
method	greenhouse | paper towel method
temperature	70F - 85F

About the Plants:

description	tall pine tree, dark gray trunk with long needles
difficulty	beginner | intermediate | advanced
growth speed	slow | medium | fast
size of plant	outdoors 125ft tall. As a bonsai, much smaller.
light	full sun | partial sun | shade | grow lights
soil	well-draining coconut coir/peat-based or bonsai potting mix
temperature	warm | cool
pet-friendly	cats | dogs | no
pests	few pests
fertilization	heavy | moderate | light