Today, I have tips for growing Japanese maple trees in containers. I’ve had mine for about 7 years, and it’s still beautiful. I’ve repotted it to larger pots three times and moved it three times—from the apartment patio to an apartment yard, and now to the front yard of my house.
Japanese maples are known for their showy, striking leaves, which turn shades of red, orange, yellow, or purple in the fall months. The leaf textures range from wide to finely dissected lobes and a lacy style.
Japanese maple trees are beloved for their graceful form and vibrant foliage. While most varieties can grow quite large when planted in the ground dwarf cultivars thrive when kept in containers. Their naturally petite size and slow growth habit make dwarf Japanese maples ideal for patios, balconies and small urban gardens.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know to successfully grow dwarf Japanese maples in pots
Why Choose a Dwarf Japanese Maple?
Japanese maples are slow-growing, compact trees that rarely exceed 10 feet tall. Dwarf cultivars grow even smaller, maxing out at just 2 to 6 feet tall at maturity. Here are some key reasons dwarf Japanese maples make excellent container specimens:
- Compact size – Fits easily in small spaces and doesn’t require frequent pruning.
- Graceful shape – Natural branching form requires little to no training.
- Vibrant foliage – Delicate leaves in shades of red, orange, pink, and green.
- Brilliant fall color – Foliage transforms into vivid autumn tones.
- Slow growth – Doesn’t quickly outgrow containers like fast-growing trees.
- Easy care – Simple irrigation and fertilization once established.
For big beauty in a small package dwarf Japanese maples are perfect potted plants!
Best Dwarf Varieties for Containers
With hundreds of Japanese maple cultivars to choose from, selecting the right one can seem daunting. Here are 5 top picks for container growing:
- ‘Mikawa yatsubusa’ – Dense mounded form under 3 feet; green summer leaves turn red in fall.
- ‘Shaina’ – Grows just 2-4 feet tall; bright red foliage keeps color all season.
- ‘Beni kawa’ – Green leaves with bold pink margins; max height 4-6 feet.
- ‘Glowing Embers’ – Red spring leaves turn green, then fiery orange-red in fall; under 5 feet.
- ‘Orangeola’ – Foliage transforms from green to purple to orange; max height around 5 feet.
Focus on naturally compact cultivars under 10 feet tall for the easiest care in containers.
Select the Right Container
Choosing the ideal pot for your dwarf maple ensures healthy growth. Consider these factors:
- Size – Opt for a container 2-3 times wider than the root ball but less than twice as deep. This prevents circling roots yet avoids excessive soil.
- Material – Plastic, ceramic, wood, and metal all work well. Be sure pots have drainage holes.
- Portability – Lightweight plastic pots are best if you’ll need to move the tree frequently.
- Style – Match the pot’s color and design to your landscape style and home architecture.
- Budget – Inexpensive plastic pots work fine, or splurge on a decorative glazed ceramic.
Start with a 5-7 gallon pot for a young maple. You can always repot into a larger container as the tree grows.
Use a Premium Potting Mix
The right potting soil is vital for growing healthy Japanese maples in containers. Look for:
- A soil pH of 5.5-6.5 suited for acid-lovers like maples and azaleas.
- Good drainage from materials like peat, pine bark, perlite, vermiculite.
- Moisture retention from peat and coco coir to prevent frequent drought stress.
You can make your own mix by combining peat or coir with perlite and pine bark. Or use an off-the-shelf potting soil formulated for azaleas and Japanese maples.
Planting Tips
Follow these simple steps when potting your dwarf Japanese maple:
- Gently loosen any circled or matted roots before placing in the container.
- Partially fill the pot with fresh potting mix.
- Set the maple at the same level it was growing in the nursery pot.
- Backfill around the roots with more fresh soil, gently tamping to remove air pockets.
- Water thoroughly until it drains from the bottom after planting.
Choose a partly shaded spot protected from hot afternoon sun. Site away from drying winds.
Caring for Container Maples
Here are some tips for keeping your potted dwarf maple thriving:
- Water when the top inch of soil is dry. Ensure excess water can drain out the bottom.
- Fertilize every 2-3 weeks during spring and summer with a diluted liquid fertilizer. Stop in late summer.
- Prune only as needed to maintain shape and remove dead branches. Avoid heavy pruning.
- Repot every 2-3 years in early spring when roots fill the container. Trim back circling roots.
- Monitor for pests like aphids and scale. Treat organically at first sight.
- Prevent drought stress by keeping soil consistently moist. Water more frequently in hot weather.
Proper irrigation, fertilization, and siting will keep your potted dwarf maple healthy and happy!
Overwintering Containers
In zones 5 and below, container maples need some extra winter protection:
- Move pots to a sheltered location safe from harsh winter winds.
- Keep soil evenly moist going into winter to prevent freeze damage to dry roots.
- Allow dormant trees to remain outdoors until temperatures drop below 20°F.
- Bring pots into an unheated garage or enclosed porch before hard frosts begin.
- Water lightly every few weeks when dormant to prevent desiccation.
- Take trees back outside once daytime temperatures are consistently above 40°F.
With a bit of added winter care, dwarf Japanese maples will sail through cold seasons and be poised for spring growth.
Showcase Your Dwarf Maple
Take time to find the perfect spot for displaying your potted Japanese maple. Consider using it to:
- Accent a prominent entryway, patio, or next to the front door.
- Create a focal point on an outdoor dining table.
- Provide up-close interest next to a bench or seating area.
- Soften the edges and add height along a small deck or balcony.
- Border a compact front walkway.
- Fill an interesting corner of your landscape.
- Complement other potted plants.
Let your dwarf maple take center stage where you can fully appreciate its graceful beauty!
Bring Vibrant Color With Dwarf Maples
Japanese maples are the ideal choice for growing colorful, compact trees in containers. Their naturally small size, vibrant foliage, and brilliant autumn display shine when kept in pots.
With the proper planting techniques, siting, and care, dwarf maples will thrive on patios, balconies, and in small garden spaces.
Showcase their stunning beauty right outside your door in a container tailored to your space and style! Your potted dwarf Japanese maple is sure to become a treasured part of your landscape.
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Where I Got The Idea To Grow Trees In Containers:
Years ago, I had a gardening magazine article about growing trees in containers. The idea intrigued me. But somewhere along the way, I lost or threw out the magazine. However, I never forgot that article.
One day, I walked around the garden nursery and looked at the trees. I’d always longed to grow a Japanese maple tree. The price for their Japanese maple trees started around $69.99. If there’s a tailor-made tree to grow in a pot, I think it’s the Japanese maple tree.
So I walked around the nursery, thinking about it. After some consideration that day, and advice from someone who worked there, I purchased a Japanese maple tree for my patio. You can always ask for advice at the garden nursery for what to plant in your gardening zone.
After a time, I ordered a slightly larger pot and transplanted it into that pot. Then, I placed it on a plant dolly to roll it around if I needed to move it.
In the summer months, my container-grown Japanese maple tree let me know that the sunlight was too harsh for its leaves, so I moved it into partial shade. It does well in partial shade because too much sun burns the leaves. I imagine this could change depending on where you live.
All About Japanese Maples – Weeping and Upright Varieties, Heights, Leaf Color Information
FAQ
Can dwarf Japanese maples grow in pots?
Dwarf maples are often used for bonsai and rock gardens and they are great for containers. Acer japonicum Fairy Lights is a slow growing dwarf Japanese maple that has leaves much like A. japonicum Dancing Peacock but are more highly dissected.
How big do dwarf Japanese maples get?
Size: Dwarf Japanese Maples typically grow to a maximum height of 6-10 feet with a proportional spread, making them suitable for limited spaces.
Can a dwarf Japanese maple take full sun?
All Japanese maples are tolerant of part shade conditions. Like Dogwoods and Redbuds, they evolved to grow happily at the edge of the forest as small trees. Their undeniable beauty leads many people to want to plant them as a focal point or specimen tree, often in full sun.
Are Japanese maples good for containers?
Due to their non-invasive root systems, all Japanese maples can be used for containers. Due to the dwarf stature or unique growth habit, certain Japanese maples work better for containers than others.