Maple Tree Bonsai (Acer Palmatum)

PLANT AT A GLANCE

	Originated in Japan, Korea, China
	It prefers partial shade to avoid leaf scorch
	Ensure the soil remains consistently moist but not waterlogged
	Moderate to care for and known for its stunning foliage which changes colors with the seasons.
	Japanese Maples are generally considered safe for homes and offices.

PLANT SIZE

Plant height/length: av. 80cm

Grow bag size: 25cm

DESCRIPTION

Red Japanese Maple (Acer) – Bonsai Form

A striking miniature tree with vivid red foliage that brings an instant pop of colour and elegance to any space. This Japanese Maple features delicate, finely cut leaves and a graceful branching structure—making it a collector’s favourite and a stunning ornamental centrepiece.

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🌿 Plant Details

• Botanical Name: Acer palmatum (Red Cultivar)

• Style: Single stemmed, multi branched

• Height: ~65-85cm including growing base

• Current Base: Wrapped grow-bag base (as shown)

• Note: Highly recommended to repot into a proper planter after purchase for stability and long-term growth.

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✨ Plant Highlights

• Brilliant red foliage that stands out all year

• Artistic, naturally shaped bonsai-style trunk and branching

• Compact yet eye-catching—perfect for entrances, balconies, patios, or indoor bright spots

• A rare and premium ornamental piece

• Great for gifting to plant lovers and bonsai enthusiasts

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💮 Feng Shui Benefits

• Red foliage represents vitality, prosperity, and energy flow

• Maple trees symbolize balance, beauty, and good fortune

• Ideal for enhancing the Wealth (Southeast) or Success areas of the home

• Adds uplifting and positive qi to the surrounding space

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💧 Care Requirements

• Light: Bright outdoor shade / semi-shade; avoid harsh midday sun

• Water: Keep soil evenly moist; do not let fully dry out

• Environment: Prefers cooler, airy conditions

• Maintenance: Light pruning helps maintain its bonsai form

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🪴 Repotting Recommendation

The plant currently comes in a temporary grow-pot base.
For proper stability and healthy root development, we strongly recommend upgrading to a Large-eXtra Large planter, minimum internal diameter at 32cm onwards with our repotting service. This ensures better drainage, space for growth, and long-term health.

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⚠️ Additional Note

Japanese Maples are generally considered safe for homes and offices. As with most ornamental plants, ingestion of leaves or bark may cause mild stomach discomfort in pets or young children, so it’s best displayed out of reach.

How to Make Maple Leaves Turn Red

Maple leaves only turn red when environment + plant health + genetics align. The key triggers are:

1. Strong Light (Most Important)

• Provide full sun or as much bright light as possible.

• Red pigments (anthocyanins) develop only with high light exposure.

2. Cooler Temperatures

• Red colouration strengthens when daytime is warm and nights are cool (ideally 10–18°C nights).

• In tropical climates like Singapore, this is the hardest requirement to achieve.

3. Controlled Nitrogen

• Too much nitrogen = more green growth, less red.

• Use a balanced or low-nitrogen fertiliser during the colouring period.

4. Mild Stress (But Not Damage)

• Slight drought stress can deepen colour.

• Do not overdo — severe stress causes leaf drop instead of red.

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How to Maintain the Red Colour

Once red, you can keep it longer by:

• Maintaining high light

• Keeping soil slightly on the drier side

• Avoiding heavy fertiliser

• Keeping the plant cool (air-conditioned balcony / cooler nights help)

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Reality Check in Singapore

Maples are temperate plants.
Without cool nights, they struggle to turn fully red and maintain red long-term.

Typical outcome in SG:

• Leaves may flush red when young

• Colour fades to green

• True autumn red rarely appears unless grown in a cooler microclimate (e.g., indoor near AC, shaded but cool courtyard, or highland conditions)

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If you want the reddest colour possible in SG

Here’s the practical recipe:

1. Full sun in the morning; strong light all day

2. Keep nights cooler by placing the plant near cooler airflow or indoors at night

3. Use low-N fertiliser (e.g., 3-1-4 or 4-1-2 type)

4. Let soil dry 30–40% before watering

5. Do not prune heavily before colouring period

Important to know: As plants are natural products, form, pattern and colour will vary.