Maple trees are loved for their spectacular fall foliage. You can plant many maples in the ground and they will do well, but you can also grow maple trees in pots. Maples can do well in pots if they get the right potting mix, water them regularly, get enough sun, and are protected from the cold during the winter.
Choosing the Right Maple Variety
While any maple tree can be grown in a pot, smaller varieties are better choices. Larger maple species like red maple and sugar maple can exceed 100 feet tall at maturity – far too large for most containers
Instead, opt for more compact maples. With their graceful shapes, pretty leaves, and small sizes, Japanese maples are the best choice. Many of them don’t grow more than 10 feet tall, which makes them perfect for pots. The Amur maple, the Tatar maple, and the paperbark maple are also good choices.
Selecting the Right Pot
A container at least 24 inches wide and deep is a good starting point for most maple varieties Clay and ceramic pots are classic choices, as they allow air to flow through the sides while still retaining moisture well Plastic and resin pots can also work. Just be sure the pot has drainage holes to prevent waterlogging.
For large maple specimens, look for extremely sturdy pots on rollers. Consider wine barrels or oversized ceramic containers. Make sure any large pot can be moved if needed, since maples in containers must be brought indoors or protected in winter.
Providing Proper Soil
Maples prefer mildly acidic, nutrient-rich soil that drains readily. A potting mix amended with compost or leaf mold creates ideal growing conditions. Avoid regular garden soil, as it may drain poorly and compress roots.
Add perlite, vermiculite, or small gravel to improve drainage and aeration. Place potting stones or packing peanuts at the bottom of pots to enhance drainage and prevent soil from leaking out.
Offering Adequate Water
Maple trees demand consistently moist soil. They dry out faster than most plants because their roots aren’t very deep and their leaves are big. Check the soil’s moisture level often and water it when the top few inches get dry. Add mulch over the soil to retain moisture.
Ensure pots have drainage holes and avoid waterlogging. While maples like moist conditions, saturated soil denies oxygen to roots and encourages disease. Let excess water drain fully after watering.
Providing Proper Sunlight
Most maples grow best in full sun to part shade. At least 6 hours of direct sun daily allows trees to thrive. Insufficient light causes sparse foliage and stunted growth. Shelter trees from hot midday sun to prevent leaf scorch.
Rotate pots regularly so all sides receive equal light. Keep trees away from shady overhangs and buildings. Morning sun with afternoon shade is ideal for many varieties like Japanese maple.
Fertilizing Effectively
The confined roots of potted maples cannot access nutrients like in-ground trees. Apply balanced, extended-release fertilizer when growth begins in spring. Organic options like compost tea or fish emulsion also feed trees effectively.
Stay away from formulas that are high in nitrogen because they cause too much foliage growth that needs more water. Follow label directions to determine optimal feeding rates and frequency.
Providing Winter Care
Freezing temperatures and drying winds can severely damage container maples. Move pots to an unheated garage or cellar before your first fall frost. Ensure temperatures stay above freezing but plants remain dormant.
Water sparingly over winter, only enough to keep roots from drying out completely. Prune away dead branches in early spring after bringing trees back outdoors. Transplant into larger containers every 2-3 years as needed.
Avoiding Common Problems
Improper care causes several issues in container maples. Prevent diseases like root rot by allowing soil to dry adequately between waterings. Promote vigorous growth through proper sunlight, fertilization, and transplanting.
Shelter trees from strong wind gusts that can damage branches and desiccate leaves. Monitor for pests like aphids and scale. Apply organic treatments promptly at the first signs of an infestation.
Enjoying Maples on Your Patio
With some simple care strategies, it is quite feasible to grow maple trees in pots. The right variety, frequent watering, adequate sunlight, and winter protection allows these gorgeous trees to thrive on patios and decks. Take time to properly plant and care for your container maple, and you will be rewarded with years of beauty.
Before you start digging:
Call Ontario One at 1-800-400-2255, anytime, 7 days a week and 24 hours a day, at least 5 days in advance of when you plan to start digging. By making this call, you’ll stay safe and avoid damage to buried lines and utilities. Native Maples are classified as Tall Trees. Hydro One specifies a minimum “tall tree setback” of at least 8 meters from the centreline of any overhead powerlines. Maple Leaves Forever recommends a minimum of 10 metres. Click here for information on tree setback.
- When you plant more than a few trees, get help from someone else. The work will go much faster.
- Use a tape measure and your planting plan to find and mark the spot where each tree will go.
- You should call the nursery at least a week before you want to pick up the trees or have them delivered. Give the nursery time to prepare your order.
- Do not accept trees that are excessively root-bound. At the nursery, ask to see the roots of a few different trees. Don’t put trees in pots that have a lot of roots that go all the way around the inside.
- When the trees get there, put them somewhere shady and out of the wind. Make sure the root balls stay wet until it’s time to plant. Do not touch the tree’s trunk; always hold it by the pot or root ball.
Best Soil For Maple in Pots
Maples prefers moist, loamy, acidic soil that drains well. Poorly draining soil can encourage the development of fungal diseases, including root rot. Amend average potting soil with perlite or compost to lighten the soil texture. Also, ensure the pot has adequate drainage holes that are not blocked by clumps of soil. Put a thin layer of mulch on top of the soil around your maple to help keep it moist in the summer.
How To Grow Japanese Maples in Pots – Complete Care Guide
FAQ
Can maple trees grow in containers?
In pots in the yard or on the patio, maple trees look great! We hope these tips help you keep your tree healthy and beautiful for years to come. Aug 9, 2024.
What do you do with potted maple trees in the winter?
They’re best overwintered by sinking the entire pot in the ground up to the rim in a sheltered location out of the wind, and then mulching lightly over the top with about a foot of loose straw. Keep tabs on their moisture levels over the winter if you don’t get normal rain and snowfall, and otherwise leave them alone.
What is the best maple tree for pots?
Acer palmatum ‘Shaina’ (Japanese Maple): This dense Japanese Maple grows slowly and has a shape that looks like a globe. It does well in containers or small gardens.
How do you take care of a potted maple tree?
Potted maples do best in morning sun and afternoon shade. They prefer cool roots, so sheltering the pot from hot sun is ideal. Avoid large areas of concrete exposed to full sun, especially afternoon sun, that will heat up in afternoon and create a micro climate of hot dry air that can lead to leaf scorch.