Tree · Sapindaceae family
Japanese maple
Acer palmatum
In short a 10-second read
Japanese maple (tree) grows to 4–10 m tall and 4–9 m wide when mature. It grows best in part shade, in average to moist soil. It flowers in April–May; the flowers are purple. Hardy to −23 °C.
× spread 4–9 m
Where to plant
Sun, soil, frost.
It grows best in part shade, in average to moist soil. Hardy to −23 °C.
Sun
Elsewhere it will grow less well.
Soil and water
average to moist · watering: moderate
Soil: humus-rich, sandy
Soil pH 5–6.5
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 10–20 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 · purple
Pruning
No pruning needed — just remove dead, diseased or damaged branches, crossing branches and shoots growing in the wrong direction (November–December).
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 −23 °C.
- Needs no protection
- Hardy to −23 °C
- Deciduous — bare in winter
Frequently asked
Quick answers.
When does Japanese maple flower?
In April–May; the flowers are purple.
Does Japanese maple tolerate shade?
It tolerates part shade (3–6 hours of sun), but not full shade.
How much space does Japanese maple need?
At maturity 4–9 m wide and 4–10 m tall; recommended spacing 500 cm.
Does Japanese maple survive winter outdoors?
Yes, without protection, hardy to −23 °C.
Where the data comes from
The data is indicative — we are still comparing it with further sources. Last checked 17 October 2026.
Show sources (18)
- NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox — Acer palmatum
- Oregon State University Landscape Plants — Acer palmatum
- Van den Berk Nurseries (NL), stromová škôlka — Acer palmatum
- GBIF Occurrence Search API — Acer palmatum
- EPPO Global Database — Acer palmatum
- RHS - Acer palmatum
- Missouri Botanical Garden - Acer palmatum
- RHS - Bleeding from pruning cuts
- RHS - Shrubs and trees: light pruning
- RHS - Bleeding from pruning cuts
- RHS - Trees and shrubs: planting
- Clemson HGIC - Planting Trees Correctly
- Invasive plant lists — this species is not on them: EU, Slovakia, Czechia, Germany, Poland, Denmark
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