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Japanese Maple

Acer palmatum

The jewel of ornamental trees, Japanese Maple transforms any garden with its delicate, hand-shaped leaves and stunning seasonal color changes from spring greens to brilliant fall reds and oranges. This graceful tree offers incredible variety with hundreds of cultivars featuring different leaf shapes, colors, and growth habits. Perfect for creating focal points, Japanese Maples bring four-season beauty and an elegant Asian aesthetic to landscapes both large and small.

Sun

Partial shade to filtered sun

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Zones

5–8

USDA hardiness

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Height

15-25 feet

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Planting Timeline

Zone:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Transplant

Harvest

Transplant

Harvest

Showing dates for Japanese Maple in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 fruit-tree →

Zone Map

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Japanese Maple · Zones 5–8

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Moderate

Spacing6-20 feet apart depending on mature size

SoilWell-draining, slightly acidic soil rich in organic matter

pH5.5-6.5

WaterRegular watering, 1 inch per week, avoid drought stress

SeasonFour-season ornamental tree

FlavorOrnamental only, not edible

ColorGreen, red, purple, or variegated foliage; brilliant fall colors

SizeVaries by cultivar: dwarf (3-6 ft) to full size (15-25 ft)

Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar

Zone	Indoor Start	Transplant	Direct Sow	Harvest
Zone 5	—	May – July	—	June – October
Zone 6	—	May – July	—	June – October
Zone 7	—	May – June	—	June – October
Zone 8	—	April – June	—	June – November

Complete Growing Guide

Light: #deciduous#bronze#shrub#purple leaves#slow growing#samaras#red leaves#bonsai#yellow leaves#tsc#fall interest#understory tree#dappled shade#deer resistant#nighttime garden#copper leaves#children's garden#red fruits#playground plant#self-seeding#pollinator plant#larval host plant#deciduous tree#bird friendly#tsc-t#imperial moth#mccarthy memorial garden#landscape plant sleuths course#wildlife friendly#th-sight#woodland#cpp#HS111#illustration#HS304#fpp. Soil: High Organic Matter. Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist. Water: 'Atropurpureum', 'Ben Komachii', 'Bloodgood', 'Burgundy Lace', 'Crimson Queen', 'Garnet', 'Gwens Rose Delight', 'Higasayama', 'Jordan', 'Kagiri Nishiki', 'Kiyohime', 'Koto no ito', 'Mikawa yatsubusa', 'Mizuho Beni', 'Moonfire', 'Novum', 'Orange Dream', 'Orangeola', 'Osakazuki', 'Oto hime', 'Redleaf', 'Ryusen', 'Sango-Kaku', 'Seiryu', 'Shaina', 'Sharp’s Pygmy', 'Sherwood Flame', subsp. matsumurae, 'Trompenburg', 'Twombly Red Sentinel', 'Waterfall', 'Yuri Hime'. Height: 15 ft. 0 in. - 25 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 10 ft. 0 in. - 25 ft. 0 in.. Growth rate: Slow. Maintenance: High. Propagation: Grafting.

Harvesting

A schizocarp of two samaras, wings incurved forming an arch, becoming reddish.

Color: Brown/Copper, Red/Burgundy. Type: Samara, Schizocarp.

Harvest time: Fall

Bloom time: Spring

Storage & Preservation

Fresh-cut Japanese Maple branches last 5-7 days in floral arrangements when stems are recut underwater and placed in fresh, cool water. Change water every 2-3 days and trim stems slightly each time.

Preserve autumn leaves by pressing between newspaper pages under heavy books for 2-3 weeks, or use glycerin preservation by soaking cut branches in a 1:1 glycerin-water solution for 3-5 days until leaves feel supple. Glycerin-preserved leaves maintain flexibility and natural feel for months.

For long-term storage, dried pressed leaves can be stored between acid-free tissue paper in a cool, dry location for years. Seeds should be stored in slightly moist peat moss in the refrigerator if not planted immediately, maintaining 35-40°F temperatures. Properly stored stratified seeds remain viable for 6-12 months.

History & Origin

Origin: Asia: Japan, China, Korea, eastern Mongolia, southeastern Russia

Advantages

+Disease resistance: Deer, Drought
+Attracts: This tree is mildly resistant to damage by deer.
+Wildlife value: Members of the genus Acer support Imperial Moth (Eacles imperialis) larvae which have one brood per season and appear from April-October in the south. Adult Imperial Moths do not feed. Small song birds are attracted to this plant.

Considerations

-High maintenance

Companion Plants

Plant Together

Hosta

Thrives in similar partial shade conditions and provides attractive ground cover

Ferns

Enjoys same acidic soil and filtered light, creates natural woodland aesthetic

Astilbe

Tolerates shade and acidic soil, adds colorful blooms without competing for nutrients

Heuchera

Complements maple's foliage colors and thrives in partial shade with similar soil needs

Azalea

Both prefer acidic soil and partial shade, creates layered woodland garden design

Caladium

Provides colorful foliage in shade and doesn't compete with shallow maple roots

Wild Ginger

Native groundcover that thrives under maple canopy and helps retain soil moisture

Japanese Painted Fern

Silvery foliage complements maple colors and both prefer similar growing conditions

Keep Apart

Black Walnut

Produces juglone toxin that can damage or kill Japanese maple trees

Large Conifers

Compete aggressively for water and nutrients, can overshadow and stress the maple

Turfgrass

Competes with shallow maple roots for water and nutrients, requires different care

Nutrition Facts

Calories

25kcal(1%)

Protein

0.6g(1%)

Carbs

5.7g(2%)

Fat

0.3g(0%)

Vitamin C

22.3mg(25%)

Vitamin A

17mcg(2%)

Iron

0.07mg(0%)

Calcium

29mg(2%)

Potassium

123mg(3%)

Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #168171)

Pests & Disease Resistance

Resistance

Generally disease resistant when properly sited

Common Pests

Aphids, scale insects, Japanese beetles (occasionally)

Diseases

Verticillium wilt, leaf scorch from heat/drought stress

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a Japanese Maple take to grow to full size?▼

Most Japanese Maples are slow to moderate growers, reaching mature size in 15-25 years. Standard varieties grow 1-2 feet per year, reaching 15-25 feet tall, while dwarf cultivars grow 6-12 inches annually, maturing at 4-8 feet. Container growing slows growth rates significantly.

Can you grow Japanese Maple in containers?▼

Yes, Japanese Maples excel in containers, especially dwarf and weeping varieties. Use containers at least 20 gallons for long-term growth, with excellent drainage. Protect roots from freezing in zones 6-7 by wrapping containers or moving to unheated garages during winter.

Is Japanese Maple good for beginners?▼

Japanese Maples require moderate gardening skill due to their specific site requirements. Beginners succeed best by choosing disease-resistant cultivars like 'Bloodgood' or 'Emperor I,' ensuring proper drainage, and providing afternoon shade in hot climates. Avoid planting in full sun or poorly draining locations.

When should I plant Japanese Maple?▼

Plant Japanese Maples in early spring after frost danger passes or in early fall 6-8 weeks before hard freeze. Spring planting allows full growing season establishment, while fall planting takes advantage of active root growth in cool, moist conditions.

Why are my Japanese Maple leaves turning brown and crispy?▼

Brown, crispy leaf edges indicate leaf scorch from excessive heat, drought stress, or too much direct sunlight. This commonly occurs in hot climates with inadequate moisture. Increase watering consistency, add mulch, and consider temporary shade cloth during peak summer heat.

Japanese Maple vs Red Oak - what's the difference?▼

Japanese Maples are smaller ornamental trees (15-25 feet) with delicate, hand-shaped leaves and refined growth habits, while Red Oaks are large shade trees (50-80 feet) with lobed leaves and aggressive growth. Japanese Maples offer more intense fall colors but require more specific growing conditions.