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Back to the Japanese Maple guide
BonsaiList · Field care cardzones 5–9

Japanese Maple Bonsai

Acer palmatum

Outdoor tree. Kept indoors it declines slowly, then dies. It needs real seasons.

Light
Partial shade
Water
Consistent moisture
Soil
Rich, well-draining
Temperature
Hardy to -20°F in the ground; protect the pot below ~25°F
Feeding
Weekly, spring-fall
Repotting
Every 2-3 years
The year at a glance
JFMAMJJASONDFeedPrune

prune: late winter, summer

Check the soil before you water — every time.bonsailist.com/species/japanese-maple

Tape it to the shelf the tree sits on. Update it when the seasons change — the full guide has the why behind every line.