How to Care for Acer palmatum (Japanese Maple)

Korean name: 단풍나무

Japanese maple is a deciduous tree with delicate palmate leaves. The leaf colors change from green to various shades of red and yellow from spring to autumn, showing especially beautiful fall colors. It grows relatively slowly and is suitable for gardens or container cultivation.

Key facts

• Category: Garden tree & shrub
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Where to keep: indoors or outdoors
• Native to: Japan, Korea, China
• Growth rate: Slow
• Pets: No known toxicity, so it is fine to keep around pets.
• Traits: maple, deciduous, garden tree, cold hardy
• Also known as: Japanese Maple, Palmatum Maple

Care Guide

• Light: Tolerates partial shade to full sun.
• Watering: Water thoroughly when the soil dries out.
• Soil: Prefers well-draining fertile soil.
• Temperature: 15~25°C
• Fertilizer: Apply slow-release fertilizer moderately in spring and early summer.

Common questions

How often should you water Acer palmatum?

Water thoroughly when the soil dries out. Roughly every 7 days is the baseline; adjust for the season and the spot it sits in.

Where should you keep Acer palmatum?

It likes Tolerates partial shade to full sun.. You can grow it indoors or outdoors. Use Prefers well-draining fertile soil..

Is Acer palmatum safe around pets?

No known toxicity, so it is fine to keep around pets.

Is Acer palmatum good for beginners?

Difficulty: Moderate. Keep it around 15~25°C. Fertilise Apply slow-release fertilizer moderately in spring and early summer..