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4.7 out of 5 (7 experiences)


Also known as
Japanese Maple, Japanese Maple, Palmate Maple and Smooth Japanese Maple
Taxonomy
Acer palmatum
Acer
Sapindaceae
Sapindales

How to care for Acer Palmatum

How often to water your Acer Palmatum

every 9
Acer Palmatum 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

Check the growing potential in your area
A plant's growing potential is determined from its location, the time of year, and current local weather.

Select a city to check sunlight intensity

Finding light for Japanese Maple in your home

a window
Acer Palmatum love being close to bright, sunny windows 😎.
Place it less than 1ft from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.
Acer Palmatum does not tolerate low-light 🚫.
Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Acer Palmatum in your home 🏡.

How to fertilize Acer Palmatum

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 Acer Palmatum after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

Acer Palmatum is generally considered an easy-to-care-for plant and makes a great choice for beginners!
Water Needs
Acer Palmatum 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.
Sunlight Needs
Acer Palmatum 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 🏡.
Toxicity
Greg does not have confirmed data on this plant’s toxicity. If you, a family member, or a pet consumes plant material of unknown toxicity, it’s always best to consult a medical professional.
If you or someone else ingested this plant, call Poison Control at US (800) 222-1222. If a pet consumed this plant, contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA at US (888) 426-4435.
Soil
Acer Palmatum 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.
Fertilizer
Acer Palmatum 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!
Growth Pattern
Acer Palmatum 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.
Growing Outdoors
USDA Hardiness Zone
Acer Palmatum can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 5a-8b. Find your local hardiness zone here.
Propagation
Acer Palmatum can be propagated by the stem method. To propagate:
- Make a cut just above the node. The node is the break in the stem where the leaf emerges.
- To get the cutting to root, you can either:
- Place the cutting in water until roots emerge and are ~2” long and then transplant into well-draining soil, or
- Place the cutting directly into well-draining soil and water when dry.
Care Summary for Acer Palmatum
Acer Palmatum
Greg recommends:

0.5 cups every 9 days

< 1ft from a window

Repot after 2x growth
Based on the 4” pot your plant is in, and that it doesn’t get direct sunlight.

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