Tree · Rosaceae family
Japanese crabapple
Malus × floribunda
In short a 10-second read
Japanese crabapple (tree) grows to 4–7 m tall and 4–8 m wide when mature. It grows best in full sun, in average to moist soil. It flowers in April–May; the flowers are pink or white. Hardy to −29 °C.
× spread 4–8 m
Where to plant
Sun, soil, frost.
It grows best in full sun, in average to moist soil. Hardy to −29 °C.
Sun
Elsewhere it will grow less well.
Soil and water
average to moist · watering: moderate
Soil: loamy, sandy
Soil pH 5.5–7.5
Frost
It copes with a normal winter outdoors.
How much space it takes
Mature size.
The mature plant next to a person (175 cm).
Next to a person
Reaches maturity in about 20–50 years. The final size depends on the cultivar and the spot — we give the range from smallest to largest.
Calendar
What to do and when.
Months for Central Europe. The line shows the current month.
The year at a glance
Flowers
April–May · pink or white
Pruning
No pruning needed — just remove dead or damaged parts (January–February).
Planting
container plant: October–April; bare-root: October–March; root-balled: October–March
Winter protection
not needed
Overwintering
It copes with winter on its own.
It overwinters outdoors without protection, hardy to −29 °C.
- Needs no protection
- Hardy to −29 °C
- Deciduous — bare in winter
Frequently asked
Quick answers.
When does Japanese crabapple flower?
In April–May; the flowers are pink or white.
Does Japanese crabapple tolerate shade?
No, it needs full sun.
How much space does Japanese crabapple need?
At maturity 4–8 m wide and 4–7 m tall; recommended spacing 500 cm.
Does Japanese crabapple survive winter outdoors?
Yes, without protection, hardy to −29 °C.
Where the data comes from
We compared the data in 15 expert sources. Last checked 17 October 2026.
Show sources (15)
- Oregon State University Landscape Plants — Malus floribunda
- Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder — Malus floribunda
- Van den Berk Nurseries (NL), stromová škôlka — Malus floribunda
- GBIF Occurrence Search API — Malus × floribunda
- RHS - Malus × floribunda
- RHS - Shrubs and trees: light pruning
- RHS - Trees and shrubs: planting
- Clemson HGIC - Planting Trees Correctly
- RHS - How to grow trees
- Invasive plant lists — this species is not on them: EU, Slovakia, Czechia, Germany, Poland, Denmark
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