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Japanese Zelkova

About Japanese Zelkova

Zelkova has been promoted as a substitute for American elm because of its resistance to Dutch elm disease. Zelkova is noted for its graceful shape, clean foliage, attractive bark and resistant to disease. It is a good shade tree with good fall color and easy fall cleanup.

Taxonomy

Scientific name

Zelkova serrata

Genus

Zelkova

Family

Ulmaceae

Order

Rosales

Also known as

Japanese zelkova, Japanese elm and Keyaki

How to care for Japanese Zelkova

💦 Water

How often to water your Japanese Zelkova

Japanese Zelkova 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 Japanese Zelkova in your home

Japanese Zelkova love being close to bright, sunny windows 😎.

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

Japanese Zelkova does not tolerate low-light 🚫.

Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Japanese Zelkova in your home 🏡.

🪴 Nutrients

How to fertilize Japanese Zelkova

Nutrient, fertilizer, and repotting needs for Japanese Zelkova: 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 Japanese Zelkova after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

Help! Why is my zelkova losing leaves? She was fine two weeks ago. New leaves were growing. Now even the new ones are losing their colour and a lot of them are falling. Any idea of what's wrong? #zelkova

Browse #Zelkova

💡 FAQs

⭐ Difficulty Level

Japanese Zelkova is generally considered an easy-to-care-for plant and makes a great choice for beginners!

How to Grow Japanese Zelkova →

Benefits of Growing Japanese Zelkova →

Common Japanese Zelkova Problems →

Outdoor Care Guide for Japanese Zelkova →

💦 Water Needs

Japanese Zelkova 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.

Japanese Zelkova Water Frequency →

Japanese Zelkova Root Rot →

☀️ Sunlight Needs

Japanese Zelkova 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 🏡.

Japanese Zelkova Light Requirements →

Japanese Zelkova Direct Sunlight Needs & Tolerance →

🐶 🐈 👶 Toxicity

Japanese Zelkova 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

Japanese Zelkova does best in well-draining soil. A good soil will contain lots of organic matter such as coco coir as well as perlite or vermiculite to help with drainage. Adding a handful of perlite to regular store-bought potting soil should do the trick!

Best Soil Mix for Japanese Zelkova →

Best Pots for Japanese Zelkova →

When and How to Successfully Repot Japanese Zelkova →

What Are Healthy Japanese Zelkova Roots →

💩 Fertilizer

Japanese Zelkova 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 Japanese Zelkova →

⬆️ ⬇️ Growth Pattern

Japanese Zelkova 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.

Japanese Zelkova Lifecycle →

Japanese Zelkova Size Guide →

How and When to Prune Japanese Zelkova →

🌦️ Growing Outdoors

USDA Hardiness Zone
Japanese Zelkova can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 5a-8b. Find your local hardiness zone here.

Japanese Zelkova Temperature Tolerance →

Japanese Zelkova Hardiness Zones →

Landscaping Ideas with Japanese Zelkova →

When to Plant Japanese Zelkova →

How to Plant Japanese Zelkova →

Where to Plant Japanese Zelkova →

Winter Care for Japanese Zelkova →

Best Companion Plants for Japanese Zelkova →

Is Japanese Zelkova a Weed? →

🌱 Propagation

The seeds of Japanese Zelkova 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 Japanese Zelkova →

🍂 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 Japanese Zelkova, 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.