Too Lazy To Garden
All seeds
🍁

Acer

Tree
Sow stratified seed in early spring; collect fresh seed in fall
Full sun to part shade

Also known as: Maple

Varieties

99 types of acer

Acer barbinerve

also: Bearded Maple

Small East Asian maple with bristly-veined leaves.

Full growing guide →

Acer buergerianum

also: Trident Maple

Three-lobed leaves and attractive flaking bark; excellent bonsai subject.

Full growing guide →

Acer calcaratum

Uncommon Southeast Asian maple.

Full growing guide →

Acer campbellii wilsonii

also: Wilson's Maple

Himalayan maple with large palmate leaves.

Full growing guide →

Acer campestre

also: Common Maple, Field Maple, Hedge Maple

European hedgerow maple; tolerates hard pruning.

Full growing guide →

Acer capillipes

also: Red Snakebark Maple, Snake-bark Maple

Striped green-and-white bark and red new growth.

Full growing guide →

Acer carpinifolium

also: Hornbeam Maple, Zig-Zag Tree

Unusual maple with hornbeam-like non-lobed leaves.

Full growing guide →

Acer caudatifolium

also: Kawakami Maple

Taiwanese snakebark maple.

Full growing guide →

Acer caudatum 'Ukurunduense'

also: Arahaga Maple, Ukurundu Maple

Small maple with upright flower spikes.

Full growing guide →

Acer circinatum

also: Vine Maple

Pacific NW native with brilliant fall color; often multi-stemmed. De-winged seed.

Full growing guide →

Acer cissifolium

also: Ivy-leaved Maple, Vine-leaved Maple

Trifoliate leaves resemble ivy or grape.

Full growing guide →

Acer davidii

also: Pere David's Maple, Snakebark Maple

Striking green-and-white striped bark. De-winged seed.

Full growing guide →

Acer davidii grosseri

also: Father David's Maple, Hers's Maple

Snakebark maple with excellent fall color. De-winged seed.

Full growing guide →

Acer elegantulum

also: Elegant Maple

Chinese maple with graceful form.

Full growing guide →

Acer fabri

also: Emerald Jade Maple, Faber's Maple

Evergreen or semi-evergreen maple with lance-shaped leaves.

Full growing guide →

Acer ginnala

also: Amur Maple

Small hardy maple with fragrant flowers and brilliant red fall color.

Full growing guide →

Acer glabrum douglasii

also: Douglas Maple, Dwarf Maple

Small Western North American maple.

Full growing guide →

Acer griseum

also: Paperbark Maple

Cinnamon-colored peeling bark and trifoliate leaves.

Full growing guide →

Acer heldreichii ssp. trautvetteri

also: Red-bud Maple

Balkan maple with striking red buds.

Full growing guide →

Acer henryi

also: Henry's Maple

Trifoliate Chinese maple with pendulous flower catkins.

Full growing guide →

Acer hyrcanum

also: Balkan Maple, Hyrcanum Maple

Drought-tolerant southeastern European maple.

Full growing guide →

Acer japonicum

also: Full Moon Japanese Maple, Downy Japanese Maple

Rounded palmate leaves and superb fall color. Dry seed.

Full growing guide →

Acer japonicum 'Meigetsu'

Meigetsu Full-Moon Maple selection.

Full growing guide →

Acer japonicum 'Oisami'

Oisami Full-Moon Maple selection.

Full growing guide →

Acer japonicum aconitifolium

also: Downy Japanese Maple, Fern-leaved Full-Moon Maple

Deeply cut fern-like leaves; blazing fall color. Dry seed.

Full growing guide →

Acer mandshuricum

also: Manchurian Maple

Trifoliate hardy maple with brilliant red fall color.

Full growing guide →

Acer maximowiczianum

also: Nikko Maple

Trifoliate Japanese maple with excellent fall color. De-winged seed.

Full growing guide →

Acer micranthum

also: Komine Maple, Small-leaved Maple

Small-leaved Japanese maple with delicate form.

Full growing guide →

Acer mono

also: Painted Maple

East Asian maple with clear yellow fall color.

Full growing guide →

Acer monspessulanum

also: Montpellier Maple

Drought-tolerant Mediterranean maple with three-lobed leaves.

Full growing guide →

Acer negundo

also: Ash-leaved Maple, Ashleaf Maple, Box Elder, Boxelder, Manitoba Maple

Fast-growing tough maple with pinnate leaves.

Full growing guide →

Acer oblongum

also: Flying Moth Maple, Flying Moth Tree, Himalayan Maple

Semi-evergreen Himalayan maple with entire (unlobed) leaves.

Full growing guide →

Acer oliverianum

also: Oliver Maple

Graceful Chinese maple similar to Japanese maple with fine autumn color.

Full growing guide →

Acer palmatum

also: Japanese Maple

Classic Japanese Maple; the seed source for most named cultivars.

Full growing guide →

Acer palmatum 'Aka shigitatsu sawa'

Variegated pink and green Japanese maple selection.

Full growing guide →

Acer palmatum 'Atrolineare'

also: Atrolineare Japanese Maple, Ribbonleaf Japanese Maple

Strap-thin red leaves that look like ribbons. Dry seed.

Full growing guide →

Acer palmatum 'Beni Otake'

also: Big Red Bamboo Japanese Maple

Long narrow burgundy leaves resembling bamboo. Dry seed.

Full growing guide →

Acer palmatum 'Bloodgood'

also: Bloodgood Japanese Maple

Deep burgundy leaves that hold color well into summer.

Full growing guide →

Acer palmatum 'Burgundy Lace'

also: Burgundy Lace Japanese Maple

Deeply cut burgundy-purple leaves; upright habit.

Full growing guide →

Acer palmatum 'Chitoseyama'

also: Chitoseyama Japanese Maple

Cascading form with deeply cut purple-red leaves. Dry seed.

Full growing guide →

Acer palmatum 'Crimson Queen'

also: Crimson Queen Japanese Maple

Weeping laceleaf; deep crimson leaves all season.

Full growing guide →

Acer palmatum 'Hogyoku'

also: Hogyoku Japanese Maple

Upright green Japanese maple with brilliant orange fall color. Dry seed.

Full growing guide →

Acer palmatum 'Hubbs Red Willow'

also: Hubb's Red Willow Japanese Maple

Red-leaved narrow willow-leaf Japanese maple. Dry seed.

Full growing guide →

Acer palmatum 'Inazuma'

also: Inazuma Japanese Maple, Thunder Japanese Maple

Cascading purple-red leaves turning crimson in fall.

Full growing guide →

Acer palmatum 'Ki hachijo'

also: Ki hachijo Japanese Maple, Kihachijo Japanese Maple

Green Japanese maple with brilliant orange-red fall color. Dry seed.

Full growing guide →

Acer palmatum 'Kinran'

also: Kinran Japanese Maple

Red-purple laceleaf-type Japanese maple. Dry seed.

Full growing guide →

Acer palmatum 'Koto-no-ito'

also: Harp Strings Japanese Maple, Koto-no-ito Japanese Maple

Extremely narrow linear leaflets giving a 'harp strings' texture. Dry seed.

Full growing guide →

Acer palmatum 'Omurayama'

also: Omurayama Japanese Maple

Cascading habit with lacy green leaves and gold-orange fall color. Dry seed.

Full growing guide →

Acer palmatum 'Oregon Sunset'

also: Oregon Sunset Japanese Maple

Compact upright red Japanese maple.

Full growing guide →

Acer palmatum 'Ornatum'

also: Laceleaf Japanese Maple

Classic bronze-red weeping laceleaf Japanese maple. Dry seed.

Full growing guide →

Acer palmatum 'Osakazuki'

also: Osakazuki Japanese Maple

Prized for its intense scarlet fall color. Dry seed.

Full growing guide →

Acer palmatum 'Seiryu'

also: Seiryu Japanese Maple, Upright Laceleaf Japanese Maple

Only upright-growing laceleaf Japanese maple; green with orange-red fall color. Dry seed.

Full growing guide →

Acer palmatum 'Shojo'

also: Shojo Japanese Maple

Deep purple-red leaves that hold color well.

Full growing guide →

Acer palmatum 'Sumi nagashi'

also: Sumi-nagashi Japanese Maple

Deep purple-red laceleaf Japanese maple.

Full growing guide →

Acer palmatum 'Trompenburg'

also: Trompenburg Japanese Maple

Distinctive rolled-edge deep red leaves; vigorous upright form. Dry seed.

Full growing guide →

Acer palmatum 'Tsukushigata'

also: Chikushigata Japanese Maple, Tsukushigata Japanese Maple

Dark red-purple leaved Japanese maple selection.

Full growing guide →

Acer palmatum 'Villa Taranto'

also: Villa Taranto Japanese Maple

Narrow-leaved Japanese maple; pink new growth aging to green then gold.

Full growing guide →

Acer palmatum amoenum

also: Japanese Maple

Larger-leaved botanical form of Japanese maple; strong grower.

Full growing guide →

Acer palmatum amoenum 'Ichigyoji'

also: Ichigyoji Japanese Maple

Large-leaved green Japanese maple with vivid yellow-orange fall color. Dry seed.

Full growing guide →

Acer palmatum amoenum 'Omato'

also: Omato Japanese Maple

Big-leaved green Japanese maple selection. Dry seed.

Full growing guide →

Acer palmatum atropurpureum

also: Red Japanese Maple

Purple-red leaved Japanese Maple strain.

Full growing guide →

Acer palmatum atropurpureum 'Emperor 1'

also: Red Emperor Japanese Maple

Vigorous red-leaved upright Japanese maple; leafs out late to avoid frost.

Full growing guide →

Acer palmatum atropurpureum 'Yezo Nishiki'

also: Yezo Nishiki Japanese Maple

Red-purple leaved Japanese maple selection. Dry seed.

Full growing guide →

Acer palmatum dissectum viridis

also: Green Lace-leaf Japanese Maple

Green weeping laceleaf Japanese maple. Dry seed.

Full growing guide →

Acer palmatum matsumurae

also: Matsumurae Japanese Maple

Larger-lobed botanical form of Japanese maple. De-winged seed.

Full growing guide →

Acer palmatum matsumurae 'O kagami'

also: O kagami Japanese Maple, Okagami Japanese Maple

Glossy dark red-purple leaves.

Full growing guide →

Acer palmatum var. atropurpureum 'Nuresagi'

also: Nuresagi Japanese Maple

Very dark purple-black leaves. Dry seed.

Full growing guide →

Acer palmatum var. dissectum 'Autumn Fire'

also: Autumn Fire Japanese Maple

Weeping laceleaf Japanese maple with fiery fall color.

Full growing guide →

Acer palmatum var. dissectum 'Inaba Shidare'

also: Inaba Shidare Japanese Maple

Weeping laceleaf that holds deep purple-red color well. Dry seed.

Full growing guide →

Acer palmatum var. dissectum 'Tamukeyama'

also: Tamukeyama Japanese Maple

Weeping laceleaf holding deep burgundy through summer. Dry seed.

Full growing guide →

Acer pectinatum forrestii

also: Forrest's Maple, Snakebark Maple

Snakebark maple with striped bark and red petioles.

Full growing guide →

Acer pectinatum subsp. maximowiczii

also: Maximowicz's Snakebark Maple

Snakebark maple with striped green-and-white bark.

Full growing guide →

Acer platanoides

also: Norway Maple

Large shade tree with dense canopy and clear yellow fall color. Available de-winged or winged.

Full growing guide →

Acer pseudosieboldianum

also: Korean Maple

Cold-hardy alternative to Japanese maple with fine fall color.

Full growing guide →

Acer rubrum

also: Red Maple

Fast-growing shade tree with brilliant red fall color; tolerates wet soils.

Full growing guide →

Acer rubrum (Northern)

also: Red Maple - Northern seed source

Northern-sourced red maple; hardier for cold zones. Winged seed.

Full growing guide →

Acer rubrum (Selected)

also: Select Red Maple

Selected superior seed source of red maple.

Full growing guide →

Acer rubrum (Southern)

also: Drummond Red Maple, Drummond's Maple, Swamp Red Maple

Southern/Drummond red maple; tolerates wet swampy soils. Winged seed.

Full growing guide →

Acer rufinerve

also: Snakebark Maple

Green-and-white striped bark on young stems.

Full growing guide →

Acer saccharinum

also: Silver Maple, Soft Maple, Water Maple

Fast-growing large shade tree with deeply lobed silvery-backed leaves.

Full growing guide →

Acer saccharum (Northern, Zone 6)

also: Canada Maple, Northern Sugar Maple, Sugar Maple

Northern-source sugar maple for cold zones; classic maple syrup tree. De-winged seed.

Full growing guide →

Acer saccharum (Southern)

also: Sugar Maple

Southern-source sugar maple; better heat tolerance. Available de-winged or winged.

Full growing guide →

Acer saccharum ssp. leucoderme

also: Chalk Maple

Small southeastern US sugar maple with pale bark.

Full growing guide →

Acer shirasawanum

also: Full Moon Maple, Hinauchiwa Kaede

Rounded full-moon maple with excellent fall color. Dry seed.

Full growing guide →

Acer shirasawanum 'Ogurayama'

also: Ogurayama Full Moon Maple

Full moon maple selection with rich fall color.

Full growing guide →

Acer shirasawanum var. aureum

also: Yellow Moon Maple

Golden-leaved full moon maple. Dry seed.

Full growing guide →

Acer sieboldianum

also: Siebold Maple

Small Japanese maple with yellow flowers and fine fall color. Dry seed.

Full growing guide →

Acer sieboldianum 'Sode-No-Uchi'

also: Sode no uchi Siebold Maple

Dwarf Siebold maple selection.

Full growing guide →

Acer spicatum

also: Mountain Maple

Small understory maple with upright flower spikes.

Full growing guide →

Acer tataricum

also: Tartarian Maple

Tough, hardy small maple; drought-tolerant.

Full growing guide →

Acer tataricum subsp. ginnala

also: Amur Maple

Hardy subspecies with brilliant scarlet fall color; often multi-stemmed.

Full growing guide →

Acer tataricum subsp. ginnala 'Flame'

also: Flame Amur Maple

Selected form with especially vivid flame-red fall color.

Full growing guide →

Acer tegmentosum

also: Manchu Striped Maple

Snakebark maple with jade-green and white striped bark.

Full growing guide →

Acer tetramerum

also: Spike Leafed Maple

Small Chinese maple with narrow spike-shaped leaves.

Full growing guide →

Acer triflorum

also: Roughbark Maple, Three Flowered Maple

Trifoliate maple with peeling rough bark and outstanding orange-red fall color.

Full growing guide →

Acer truncatum

also: Purpleblow Maple, Shandong Maple, Shantung Maple

Tough, drought-tolerant Chinese maple with purple new growth and yellow-orange fall color.

Full growing guide →

Acer velutinum

also: Velvet Maple

Large Caucasian maple with velvety-hairy leaf undersides. De-winged seed.

Full growing guide →

Acer x freemanii

also: Freeman Maple, Freeman's Maple

Hybrid of red and silver maple; fast-growing shade tree with brilliant fall color. Dry seed.

Full growing guide →

Acer x freemanii Select Varieties

also: Freeman Maple

Seed from select Freeman maple cultivars. De-winged seed.

Full growing guide →

When & where

Season
Sow stratified seed in early spring; collect fresh seed in fall
USDA zones
Varies by species — most hardy zones 3–9
Sun
Full sun to part shade
Start indoors
After stratification, start in deep pots 8–12 weeks before transplant
Direct sow outdoors
Fall sowing works well (natural cold stratification over winter)
Days to harvest
Not applicable — ornamental/shade tree

Germination

Germination time
20–60 days after stratification
Soil temperature
65–75°F (18–24°C) after cold treatment

Spacing & depth

Sow depth
1/8–1/4 in (3–6 mm)
Seed spacing
1–2 in (2–5 cm) apart in flats
Mature plant spacing
Final: give the mature tree its full canopy width
Row spacing
N/A — transplant individually

How to plant

De-wing samaras if noted. Cold-stratify seed 30–120 days in damp sand or peat at 34–41°F (1–5°C). Sow in deep tree pots with well-drained mix. Keep evenly moist and in bright light after germination. Grow on 1–2 seasons before planting to a permanent site with a wide mulch ring.

Pre-sow treatment

Cold stratification

30–120 days cold stratification at 34–41°F (1–5°C); some species need warm+cold double stratification.

Grower's tip

Maples range from tiny Japanese ornamentals to towering shade trees. Most need cold stratification; some benefit from warm+cold double stratification.

Soil preferences

Soil type

Deep, well-drained native soil. Avoid amending the planting hole heavily — roots should learn to grow into the surrounding earth.

pH range

5.5–7.5 depending on species (conifers lean acidic; most hardwoods neutral).

Amendments

Top-dress with compost and mulch in a wide ring; don't backfill with pure compost.

Watering

Frequency

Deep soak weekly the first two years while roots establish; taper once the tree self-supports.

Method

Slow trickle at the drip line, not the trunk. A 5-gal bucket with a pinhole is ideal.

Over vs. under

Overwatered: yellowing, root rot, mushroom collar. Underwatered: leaf scorch, early leaf drop.

Top-water or bottom-water?

Prefers top-watering — Trees are always top-watered — deep slow soak at the drip line, never at the trunk. Bottom-watering only makes sense for nursery seedlings.

Temperature tolerance

Ideal daytime air temp

Broad — most species tolerate 40–90°F once established

Ideal nighttime air temp

Down to species-rated USDA zone minimum

Frost sensitivity

Hardy once established; young seedlings need protection their first winter.

Special germination requirements

Most temperate tree seed needs cold stratification (30–120+ days at 34–41°F) — see each species entry for the exact time.

Container growing

Container-suitable?

Possible with the right cultivar

Recommended pot size

Deep tree pots (root trainers) for the first 1–2 seasons; permanent site required for full growth.

Notes

Only dwarf, patio, or bonsai forms live long-term in containers.

Detailed harvesting

Not applicable for ornamental/timber trees. Nut and fruit species — pick when they drop naturally.

Post-harvest storage & preservation

Nuts: keep damp and cool, sow promptly. Winged/coned seed: dry, cool, dark in a sealed jar.

Culinary, medicinal & other uses

Shade, windbreak, wildlife habitat, timber, ornament, and long-term carbon storage.

Medicinal or traditional uses are shared for interest only — this is not medical advice. Consult a qualified professional before using any plant medicinally.

Seed saving

Pollination

Wind- or insect-pollinated; seedlings rarely match the parent exactly (especially named cultivars — those must be grafted or cutting-grown).

Isolation needs

Not practical for trees. Expect variation.

How to save

Collect fully ripe seed in fall, clean, dry or keep damp per species, then cold-stratify before spring sowing.

Your zone's planting calendar

Pick your USDA hardiness zone and we'll estimate the key dates for acer in your area. These are regional averages — always check your own last-frost forecast before sowing.

From your kitchen — grow acer from what you already have

Trees usually mean patience — collect fully ripe seed in fall, clean pulp off, and give most species a cold winter (real or in the fridge) before they'll germinate.

  1. 1Collect ripe seed/nuts/cones in autumn from a healthy parent.
  2. 2Clean off any fleshy pulp; dry cones warm to release seed.
  3. 3Cold-stratify in a bag of damp sand or peat in the fridge (34–41°F) for the time listed on the species.
  4. 4Sow in deep tree pots and grow on 1–2 seasons before planting to a permanent spot.

Storage: Most tree seed keeps 1–3 years cool and dry; oak/hickory/chestnut nuts must stay damp and be sown promptly.

My Acer notes

Loading…

Acer seeds on hand

Track packets and loose seeds you already have. Private to your account.

Par level — leave at 0 for no alert. Anything below par shows on Seed Starting and your shopping list.

Loading…

Order more seeds

Running low? Reorder from one of these seed stores.

Popular seed stores
My preferred stores

Loading…