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Big-Leaf Maple

About Big-Leaf Maple

Big-Leaf Maple is a relatively rare houseplant 🌿 that is isn’t challenging to grow and needs regular watering to thrive. They do best in long-lasting, direct light ☀️ and should be less than 1 foot from a window.

Big-Leaf Maple likes soil that is good at retaining moisture. Your plant shouldn't need added fertilizers if you repot each time it doubles in size.

Big-Leaf Maple belongs to the Acer genus, and is native to Western Canada and the United States.

Taxonomy

Scientific name

Acer macrophyllum

Genus

Acer

Family

Sapindaceae

Order

Sapindales

Also known as

Bigleaf maple and Oregon maple

How to care for Big-Leaf Maple

💦 Water

How often to water your Big-Leaf Maple

Big-Leaf Maple needs 0.5 cups of water every 9 when it doesn’t get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5" pot.

Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Water 0.5 cups every
9

Does your plant get direct sunlight?

No Yes

Select the pot size

☀️ Light

Finding light for Big-Leaf Maple in your home

Big-Leaf Maple love being close to bright, sunny windows 😎.

Place it less than 1ft from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.

Big-Leaf Maple does not tolerate low-light 🚫.

Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Big-Leaf Maple in your home 🏡.

🪴 Nutrients

How to fertilize Big-Leaf Maple

Nutrient, fertilizer, and repotting needs for Big-Leaf Maple: repot after 2X growth

Most potting soils come with ample nutrients which plants use to produce new growth.

By the time your plant has depleted the nutrients in its soil it’s likely grown enough to need a larger pot anyway.

To replenish this plant's nutrients, repot your Big-Leaf Maple after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

Browse #BigLeafMaple

💡 FAQs

⭐ Difficulty Level

Big-Leaf Maple is generally easy to care for, though some plant parents report facing challenges with growing it. Check out the reviews down below to read more about their experiences!

How to Grow Big-Leaf Maple →

Benefits of Growing Big-Leaf Maple →

Common Big-Leaf Maple Problems →

Outdoor Care Guide for Big-Leaf Maple →

💦 Water Needs

Big-Leaf Maple prefers for the soil to dry out between waterings and should be watered regularly. Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Big-Leaf Maple Water Frequency →

Big-Leaf Maple Root Rot →

☀️ Sunlight Needs

Big-Leaf Maple requires abundant, bright and direct light. Place it less than one foot from a window to ensure it receives enough light to survive 💪. Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home 🏡.

Big-Leaf Maple Light Requirements →

Big-Leaf Maple Direct Sunlight Needs & Tolerance →

🐶 🐈 👶 Toxicity

Big-Leaf Maple is not known to cause harm to humans or pets. Regardless, if you, a family member, a cat, or dog has ingested any plant material, please consult a doctor or a veterinarian.

🪴 Soil

Big-Leaf Maple is very sensitive to dry soil, so choose a potting soil that retains moisture. A good soil will still drain well and contain lots of organic matter such as coco coir or sphagnum moss.

Best Soil Mix for Big-Leaf Maple →

Best Pots for Big-Leaf Maple →

When and How to Successfully Repot Big-Leaf Maple →

What Are Healthy Big-Leaf Maple Roots →

💩 Fertilizer

Big-Leaf Maple grows very slowly and doesn’t require added fertilizer. Replacing your plant’s potting soil once a year should provide them with more than enough nutrition. Remember, plants get their energy from sunlight, not fertilizer!

How Much and When to Fertilize Big-Leaf Maple →

⬆️ ⬇️ Growth Pattern

Big-Leaf Maple will branch off as it grows. To encourage branching, pinch off the newest growth at the tip and the stem will branch off into two.

Big-Leaf Maple Lifecycle →

Big-Leaf Maple Size Guide →

How and When to Prune Big-Leaf Maple →

🌦️ Growing Outdoors

USDA Hardiness Zone
Big-Leaf Maple can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 5a-9b. Find your local hardiness zone here.

Big-Leaf Maple Temperature Tolerance →

Big-Leaf Maple Hardiness Zones →

Landscaping Ideas with Big-Leaf Maple →

When to Plant Big-Leaf Maple →

How to Plant Big-Leaf Maple →

Where to Plant Big-Leaf Maple →

Winter Care for Big-Leaf Maple →

Best Companion Plants for Big-Leaf Maple →

Is Big-Leaf Maple a Weed? →

🌱 Propagation

The seeds of Big-Leaf Maple can be used to grow new plants! After your plant flowers, any seeds that formed can be collected and germinated in potting soil.

How to Propagate Big-Leaf Maple →

🍂 Yellow Leaves

Yellow leaves aren’t always a reason to panic, and can be a normal part of a plant’s life cycle. Unless brand new leaves are turning yellow or all the leaves change color at once, it’s likely just your plant shedding old leaves.

Overwatering and root rot are the most likely cause of problems in Big-Leaf Maple, since they are sensitive to wet soil. The leaves may also appear to be curling or drooping. Less often, yellow leaves are caused by underwatering, nutrient deficiencies, or pests.

Replace soggy soil with fresh, dry soil and download Greg to make sure your plant never gets overwatered again!

🧐 Troubleshooting

When troubleshooting a sad-looking houseplant, start by checking for signs of distress in its leaves, such as yellowing, browning, or drooping, which can indicate overwatering or nutrient deficiencies.

Inspect the soil moisture; too dry or too wet soil can cause problems.

Ensure the plant is getting the right amount of light, as too much or too little can stress it.

Finally, consider environmental factors like temperature and humidity, and adjust care routines accordingly to revive your plant.