What soil does Japanese maple grow in?

It tolerates these soils: average garden soil, acidic, sandy.

Is Japanese maple hardy?

Hardy down to -23 °C (USDA zone 6, RHS H7). It gets through winter everywhere at lower altitudes, but may not survive unprotected in a mountain garden.

Is Japanese maple toxic to children?

No. Reliable sources list it as non-toxic to children.

How far from the house should Japanese maple be planted?

Plant it at least 1.5 m from buildings. Keep it at least 1.5 m from paving.

When does Japanese maple flower?

Flowering: April–May, red, purple.

How much water does Japanese maple need?

Water need: medium. Drought tolerance: low.

How much does Japanese maple cost?

It sells for roughly €20 to €6,700 in local shops, depending on size.

Japanese maple

Acer palmatum

Japanese maple (Acer palmatum) is a small tree. Light: part shade, full sun. Hardy down to -23 °C. Drought tolerance: low. Non-toxic to children. Sold in local shops from about €20.

Illustration of Japanese maple — An illustration of the typical shape of the mature plant, not a photo.

What it's good for, and what it isn't

A slow, graceful small tree or mounded shrub grown for its finely cut leaves and vivid autumn colour; it suits small gardens, entrances and large containers. Cultivars differ a lot: upright tree forms (such as purple-leaved Bloodgood) reach 4 to 6 m over decades, cut-leaved weeping Dissectum forms (Garnet, Viridis) stay as wide domes 1.5 to 2.5 m tall, and dwarfs stop below head height. When choosing, look at ultimate size, leaf colour (green, purple-red, or yellow-orange in spring) and sun tolerance: green-leaved ones cope best with sun, yellow and cut-leaved ones scorch first. All of them want shelter from wind, shade from midday on and humus-rich, evenly moist, preferably acidic soil.

Watch out for

In the hot, dry summers of Central Europe leaf scorch is the main problem: in strong afternoon sun, drying wind or soil that dries out, the leaf edges brown and curl, and the tree can look bare by midsummer. Plant it facing east or in the dappled shade of taller trees, mulch it and water in drought. It leafs out early, so late spring frost can kill the new leaves. On limy, alkaline soil the foliage turns yellow. There is no cure for verticillium wilt (single branches die suddenly, with dark staining in the cut wood), so avoid sites where wilt has killed plants before. It bleeds heavily if pruned in spring; prune only in late autumn or midwinter.

Key facts

Light: Part shade, Full sun
Water need: Medium
Care: Medium
Size after 10 years: 2.5 m × 2 m
Hardiness: down to -23 °C
Foliage: Deciduous
Flowering: J F M A M J J A S O N D April–May, red, purple

Group	Small tree
Light	Part shade, Full sun
Size after 10 years	2.5 m × 2 m
Ultimate size	1.5–10 m × 1.5–10 m
Hardiness	down to -23 °C (USDA 6, RHS H7)
Soil	Average garden soil, Acidic, Sandy
Foliage	Deciduous
Flowering	April–May, red, purple
Water need	Medium
Drought tolerance	Low
Maintenance	Medium
Root aggressiveness	Low
Suckering	no
Spreading	Low
Distance from buildings	at least 1.5 m
Distance from paving	at least 1.5 m
Litter	not typical
Planting distance	300 cm
For dogs	Non-toxic (uncertain)
For cats	Non-toxic (uncertain)
For children	Non-toxic
Typical price	from about €20

Toxicity data is for information only. If your pet or child has eaten a plant, contact a vet or a doctor.

Sizes and prices available

The same plant is sold as a small pot and as a specimen several metres tall, and the price follows. Prices are rounded and for guidance only.

Size	Typical price
30-60 cm	approx. €40
60-100 cm	approx. €42
100-150 cm	approx. €80
150-200 cm	approx. €100
200-300 cm	approx. €290
size not stated	approx. €32 – €6,700

Frequently asked questions

Data updated: October 8, 2026 · How our data is made

Appears in these lists

Plants that are non-toxic to children Small ornamental trees Small trees for beside paths and paving Plants for containers Plants with autumn colour

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