Japanese Maple
Acer palmatum
Last reviewed: October 2026
Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum) is a perennial tree. It blooms in May and June. The flowers draw bees and beetles.
Toxicity unknown
Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.
Light
part shade
Water
medium
Size
180"–360" H × 180"–360" W
Bloom
May, Jun
Pollinators
bees, beetles
Native alternatives to Japanese Maple
Japanese Maple is not native to the United States. These natives fill a similar role in a planting, matched on bloom season, bloom color and mature size.
Before you buy
Your city may pay you to plant this
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Japanese maple is an elegant ornamental tree prized for its delicate, deeply lobed leaves and graceful branching structure. It produces small reddish flowers in spring and offers stunning fall color ranging from yellow to deep red. This slow-growing tree develops an attractive rounded canopy that provides light shade.
Growing Japanese Maple
Grow Japanese Maple in part shade and medium water. Mature plants reach 180 to 360 inches tall and spread 180 to 360 inches wide. Expect moderate maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.
In an HOA neighborhood
Japanese Maple takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: moderate. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.
Works well in: front yard, foundation, street edge, mid zone.
Wildlife value
The small spring flowers attract bees and beetles for pollination. The tree also provides nesting sites for birds and light cover for small wildlife.
Common questions
- When does Japanese maple bloom?
- Acer palmatum produces small, inconspicuous red flowers in May and June, before the tree's foliage fully expands for the season.
- What pollinates Japanese maple flowers?
- Bees and beetles are the main visitors to the small spring flowers of Acer palmatum, drawn to the nectar and pollen produced during bloom.
- How much light does a Japanese maple need?
- Acer palmatum grows best in part shade but adapts to conditions ranging from full sun to fairly shady sites, with leaf color and scorch risk shifting depending on exposure.
- How much water does Japanese maple need?
- This tree does best with medium, evenly moist, well drained soil and can tolerate short dry spells once its root system is established.
- Is Japanese Maple HOA-friendly?
- Japanese Maple takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.
These answers were drafted with an AI model from this plant's data. Verify care details with a local expert.
Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.
If something looks wrong
Common plant problems, and what to check first
These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.
- It is dying right after planting
- Leaves turning yellow
- Wilting even though I watered it
- Brown crispy leaf tips
- Bugs on the plant
Ready to grow Japanese Maple? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.