Full-moon maple (hauchiwa-kaede) Acer japonicum
Full-moon maple (hauchiwa-kaede) (Acer japonicum) is a deciduous perennial tree in the Sapindaceae family, native to Japan (Hokkaido to Honshu) and Korea. It grows 5–10 m (16–33 ft) tall and 5–8 m (16–26 ft) wide, wants part sun to part shade and moderate water, and is hardy to about -29 °C (-20 °F). Space plants about 5 m (16 ft) apart.
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Full-moon maple (hauchiwa-kaede) at a glance
| Type | Perennial tree, deciduous |
|---|---|
| Family | Sapindaceae |
| Mature height | 5–10 m (16–33 ft) |
| Mature spread | 5–8 m (16–26 ft) |
| Spacing | 5 m (16 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Part sun to part shade, at least 4 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 5.5–7 |
| Cold hardiness | About -29 °C (-20 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 4) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 32 °C (90 °F) |
| Flowering | from about April for 1–2 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | Low |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Japan (Hokkaido to Honshu) and Korea |
| Common in gardens of | 🇯🇵 Japan, 🇰🇷 South Korea, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇳🇱 Netherlands, 🇫🇷 France, 🇨🇦 Canada, 🇳🇿 New Zealand |
Is Full-moon maple (hauchiwa-kaede) toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
No toxicity reported in ASPCA or standard poison references.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Full-moon maple (hauchiwa-kaede)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like part sun to part shade and moderate water.
Questions about Full-moon maple (hauchiwa-kaede)
- How far apart should I plant Full-moon maple (hauchiwa-kaede)?
- About 5 m (16 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 5–8 m (16–26 ft).
- Does Full-moon maple (hauchiwa-kaede) need full sun?
- Part sun to part shade: at least 4 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Full-moon maple (hauchiwa-kaede) need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Full-moon maple (hauchiwa-kaede)?
- It tolerates about -29 °C (-20 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 4.
- When does Full-moon maple (hauchiwa-kaede) flower?
- From about April for 1–2 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Full-moon maple (hauchiwa-kaede) poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. No toxicity reported in ASPCA or standard poison references.
- What grows well with Full-moon maple (hauchiwa-kaede)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Full-moon maple (hauchiwa-kaede). Group it with plants that like the same sun (part sun to part shade) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
- Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder, Missouri Botanical Garden
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Notes and assumptions
- Nearly round leaves with 7–11 lobes, like a fan (hauchiwa) or the full moon; turns crimson and gold in autumn. ‘Aconitifolium’ has deeply cut leaves.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
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- Japanese maple Acer palmatum
- Red maple Acer rubrum
- Lychee Litchi chinensis
- Longan Dimocarpus longan
- Rambutan Nephelium lappaceum
- Sugar maple Acer saccharum
- Norway maple Acer platanoides
- Field maple Acer campestre