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Plant care

Bloodgood Japanese Maple (Bloodgood Maple) care

Acer palmatum 'Bloodgood'

Also called Bloodgood Maple, Japanese Maple.

RHS H6USDA 5–8Pet-safeIndoor 4–6 m tall and 4 m wide at maturity

Watering rhythm

5-7days

When the top 3–5 cm of soil is dry, roughly every 5–7 days in summer; weekly to fortnightly in autumn and spring

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Light

Bright indirect light (just back from a sunny window)

Soil

Moist, humus-rich, well-drained neutral to slightly acidic loam; pH 5.5–7.0

Humidity

40–70%

Temp

−20 to 30°C

Pet safety

Pet-safe

Mature size

4–6 m tall and 4 m wide at maturity

Care at a glance

Light

In the wild bloodgood japanese maple grows on the bright edge of a forest canopy, not in the canopy and not in the open. Indoors, that translates to within a metre of an unobstructed window, sheer curtain optional. Best leaf colour develops in morning sun with afternoon shade, especially in hotter climates. Full sun is tolerated in cooler UK climates. Deep shade causes poor leaf colour and weak growth. Shelter from cold drying winds is essential. The fastest test: a hand held at the leaf casts a soft-edged shadow at noon — sharp shadow means too much sun, no shadow means too little light.

Watering

Aim for when the top 3–5 cm of soil is dry, roughly every 5–7 days in summer; weekly to fortnightly in autumn and spring for bloodgood japanese maple, but treat that as a starting point rather than a rule. A south-facing summer windowsill will dry the pot twice as fast as a north-facing winter room. Lift the pot; if it feels noticeably lighter than it did wet, water it. Consistent moisture is critical — drought stress causes leaf scorch and premature leaf drop. Container-grown plants dry out faster and need close monitoring in summer. Never allow the rootball to completely dry out.

Soil and pot

Bloodgood Japanese Maple grows best in moist, humus-rich, well-drained neutral to slightly acidic loam; ph 5.5–7.0. Use ericaceous or Japanese maple-specific mix for containers. Avoid alkaline soils which cause iron chlorosis. Top-dress with leaf mould annually. Excellent drainage is essential to prevent Phytophthora root rot. A pot with a working drainage hole is non-negotiable for this species — even free-draining mix will turn soggy in a closed planter. If you love the look of a decorative pot without a hole, use it as a cachepot around an inner nursery pot you can lift out to water.

Humidity and temperature

Bloodgood Japanese Maple sits happiest at around 40–70% humidity and −20 to 30°C (−4 to 86°F). Comfortable in normal UK outdoor humidity. In very hot, dry continental climates, additional humidity helps prevent leaf scorch. No special measures needed in temperate gardens. If you keep the room above −20 to 30°C year-round and avoid placing the plant near a cold draught, a hot radiator, or an air-conditioning vent, you have already handled the two biggest indoor stressors.

Fertilising

Feed bloodgood japanese maple sparingly. Apply a slow-release balanced fertiliser (e.g., Osmocote) in early spring as buds break. Avoid high-nitrogen feeds in late summer, which promote soft growth susceptible to frost damage. A potassium-rich autumn feed supports next year's colour. Skip fertiliser entirely on a stressed, recently-repotted, or actively wilting plant — fertiliser salts make damage worse, not better. Wait for a round of healthy new growth before resuming a feeding rhythm.

Common problems

Below are the issues we see most often on bloodgood japanese maple in the Growli community. Each is annotated with the most common cause so you know where to start.

  • Leaf scorch — Brown, crispy leaf edges caused by hot afternoon sun, drought, or drying winds; relocate or provide shade cloth and consistent moisture.
  • Verticillium wilt — Fungal disease causing sudden wilting of branches; remove affected wood, sterilise tools, avoid wounding stems.
  • Aphids — Distort new growth in spring; treat with insecticidal soap or encourage ladybirds. Usually non-fatal.
  • Root rot (Phytophthora) — Common in waterlogged or poorly drained soils and containers; ensure excellent drainage and avoid overwatering.
  • Frost damage to new growth — Late spring frosts damage newly emerged foliage; fleece overnight if frost is forecast when buds have burst.

Companion plants

Bloodgood Japanese Maple pairs well with Hostas, Japanese Forest Grass (Hakonechloa), Epimedium, and Camellia. These are species with similar light and water needs, so you can group them in the same room or on the same shelf and water as a batch.

Propagation

Propagated by grafting onto Acer palmatum seedling rootstocks in late winter or early spring — the only reliable method to reproduce this cultivar true-to-type. Cuttings are difficult and rarely used. Seed-grown trees will not reproduce the 'Bloodgood' characteristics. Propagation is the cheapest, most satisfying way to expand a collection — and it doubles as insurance against losing a mature plant to an accident. Take a backup cutting once the parent is established and healthy.

Toxicity to pets

Bloodgood Japanese Maple is pet-safe. Acer palmatum 'Bloodgood' is not listed by the ASPCA as toxic to cats, dogs, or horses. Japanese maples are generally considered pet-safe in domestic garden settings. The ASPCA does note that Acer rubrum (Red Maple) is toxic to horses specifically — though that is a distinct species. If you keep cats, dogs, or curious children in the house, weigh placement carefully — a high shelf or a hanging planter is enough for casual safety. For severe ingestion incidents, call your local vet and the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (in the US, 888-426-4435).

Pet-safety status is sourced from the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, which catalogues the most-asked-about plants for cats, dogs, and horses.

Bloodgood Japanese Maple care — frequently asked questions

What is the common name for Acer palmatum 'Bloodgood'?

Acer palmatum 'Bloodgood' is most commonly called Bloodgood Japanese Maple, but it is also known as Bloodgood Maple, Japanese Maple. The names refer to the same species, so care instructions for Bloodgood Japanese Maple apply identically to anything sold as Bloodgood Maple.

How much light does bloodgood japanese maple need?

Bloodgood Japanese Maple grows best in bright indirect light (just back from a sunny window). Best leaf colour develops in morning sun with afternoon shade, especially in hotter climates. Full sun is tolerated in cooler UK climates. Deep shade causes poor leaf colour and weak growth. Shelter from cold drying winds is essential.

How often should I water bloodgood japanese maple?

Water bloodgood japanese maple when the top 3–5 cm of soil is dry, roughly every 5–7 days in summer; weekly to fortnightly in autumn and spring. Consistent moisture is critical — drought stress causes leaf scorch and premature leaf drop. Container-grown plants dry out faster and need close monitoring in summer. Never allow the rootball to completely dry out. The finger-test (or lifting the pot to feel its weight) beats a fixed weekly calendar because pot size, light, and season all change how fast the soil dries.

Is bloodgood japanese maple toxic to cats and dogs?

Bloodgood Japanese Maple is pet-safe. Acer palmatum 'Bloodgood' is not listed by the ASPCA as toxic to cats, dogs, or horses. Japanese maples are generally considered pet-safe in domestic garden settings. The ASPCA does note that Acer rubrum (Red Maple) is toxic to horses specifically — though that is a distinct species.

What USDA hardiness zone does bloodgood japanese maple grow in?

Bloodgood Japanese Maple is rated for USDA zone 5–8 and RHS hardiness H6. Outside that range, grow it as a container plant that overwinters indoors before the first hard frost.

Bloodgood Japanese Maple deep-dive guides

Every aspect of bloodgood japanese maple care, each with its own calibrated guide:

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Bloodgood Japanese Maple is also commonly called Bloodgood Maple or Japanese Maple.