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Downy Japanese Maple
Acer japonicum
Medium · Some experienceAbout Downy Japanese Maple
Full Moon Maple is an elegant deciduous tree native to Japan, reaching 20-30 feet, distinguished from Japanese maple by its rounded, nearly circular lobed leaves. Soft chartreuse spring foliage deepens to rich green in summer, then ignites into brilliant crimson and scarlet in autumn. A refined specimen for woodland gardens, courtyards, and partly shaded areas across the northern US, particularly striking under dappled light.
- Shade-tolerant
- Fall-color
How to care for Downy Japanese Maple
Watering
- Springevery 5 days
- Summerevery 4 days
- Fallevery 7 days
- Winterpause watering
Soil · Well-draining
- Top dressingPine bark mulch10%
- Main mixPotting soil + perlite 2:170%
- DrainageLECA / gravel20%
Never skip the drainage layer — standing water is the top cause of root rot.
FERTILIZER
Balanced Feed 14-14-14
An even feed covers all three needs at once, keeping leaves, roots and blooms moving together with nothing pushed out of balance.
- Nitrogen · Leaves
- Phosphorus · Roots + Blooms
- Potassium · Strength
- Springevery 60 days
- Summerevery 60 days
At a Glance
- NativeEast Asia
- Height20–30 ft (6.1–9.1 m)
- Spread20–25 ft (6.1–7.6 m)
- Foliage colorGreen, Red, Bronze, Yellow
- Fruit colorRed, Brown
- SoilLoamy, Well-drained, Acidic
- LocationsYard
Toxicity
No toxicity has been reported for this plant. Still, it is wise to keep pets from chewing on any houseplant.
Educational information, not medical or veterinary advice. If exposure is suspected, contact a doctor or veterinarian.
DISTRIBUTION
- Native
- East Asia
History
Acer japonicum grows naturally in Japan's main islands and the southern Kuril Islands. Swedish botanist Carl Peter Thunberg formally described the species in 1784 during his brief residency at the Dutch trading post Dejima in Nagasaki. The English common name full moon maple translates the Japanese meigetsu-kaede, referring to the rounded nearly-circular leaves with 9-13 shallow lobes—distinct from the deeply cut narrow lobes of A. palmatum.
In Japanese garden tradition it is prized alongside A. palmatum for autumn color displays. The cultivar 'Aconitifolium' with deeply dissected fernlike leaves (despite the full moon parentage) and spectacular crimson-and-orange fall color has been grown for over 200 years and received the RHS Award of Garden Merit. 'Vitifolium' with grapeleaf-like shape and brilliant autumn color is another classic.
These maples thrive in cool moist climates and tolerate more shade than A. palmatum. Cultivated in Japan for centuries and introduced to Western gardens in the mid-19th century. In Japan, full moon maples are traditional focal points in tea gardens, their round leaves echoing the autumn moon.
Symbolism & meaning
What It Symbolizes
The Downy Japanese Maple makes visible serenity, central to the contemplative aesthetics of Japanese gardens where every leaf is placed as carefully as a brushstroke. Its rounded, palmate foliage and refined silhouette express a quiet elegance — neither showy nor austere, but perfectly balanced. To sit beneath its canopy is to understand stillness, where wind and light become the only ornament a tree could ever need.
- Serenity — central to Japanese garden aesthetics
- Elegance — rounded leaves and refined form
Where the Name Comes From
'Acer' is Latin for maple; 'japonicum' means of Japan.
Uses & Fun Facts
- Lacy palmate leaves and fiery autumn color anchor woodland gardens
- Refined Japanese maple for partial-shade focal plantings
Related plants
More Acer plants
Plants with similar care
String of HeartsCeropegia woodii
American BeechFagus grandifolia
Pliant LettuceLactuca viminea
KoyamakiSciadopitys verticillata
Frequently asked questions
How often should I water Downy Japanese Maple?
Water about every 5 days during the growing season, and always let excess water drain away.
How much light does Downy Japanese Maple need?
Part sun: 4–6 hrs direct. Watch the leaves — scorching or stretching means the light needs adjusting.
Is Downy Japanese Maple toxic to cats or dogs?
No toxicity has been reported for this plant. Still, it is wise to keep pets from chewing on any houseplant. Educational information, not medical or veterinary advice. If exposure is suspected, contact a doctor or veterinarian.
Is Downy Japanese Maple easy to grow?
It is moderately demanding: a good choice once you have a little experience.
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