Waterfall Japanese Maple

Name: Waterfall Japanese Maple
Brand: The Sill
SKU: DST-JAP-WAT-12-2G
Price: 99.00 USD
Availability: OutOfStock

Full-Partial Sun 1 ft./yr Growth Safe for Pets

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Waterfall Japanese Maple Information

About

About The Waterfall Japanese Maple

Add Instant Elegance With the Waterfall Japanese Maple

If your garden leans modern—or just needs a moment of calm—the Waterfall Japanese Maple brings a soft, flowing presence that feels like nature exhaling. Its finely cut green foliage drapes in a graceful, weeping form, creating movement and texture without overwhelming the space. It’s proof that green can be just as striking as red—especially when fall arrives.

When the seasons shift, this tree flips the script. Expect a dazzling blend of yellow, gold, orange, and red that lights up the landscape like a slow-burning sunset. It’s the kind of show that makes you pause, pull up a chair, and stay awhile.

Unlike many weeping varieties, this one grows with purpose—reaching around 6 feet quickly and maturing to about 10 feet tall, giving you height, structure, and presence in less time.

Why You’ll Love the Waterfall Japanese Maple

Elegant, cascading form adds movement and softness to structured gardens
Vibrant fall color delivers a multi-tone seasonal display
Faster growth than most weeping Japanese maples—fills in quickly
Green foliage pairs beautifully with red maples for contrast
Performs well in warmer climates compared to many varieties

Uses & Benefits

Perfect focal point in modern, minimalist, or Zen-style gardens
Softens hardscapes like gravel, stone paths, and patios
Works beautifully as a standalone specimen or in layered plantings
Ideal for creating a peaceful seating or meditation area
Suitable for large containers when young—great for patios and courtyards
Adds seasonal interest without requiring heavy maintenance

Pair it with a red-leaved Japanese maple, and suddenly your garden has depth, contrast, and a story that changes with every season. This isn’t just a tree—it’s a slow cascade of color and form that keeps getting better with time.

Plant Details

Waterfall Japanese Maple Details

Mature Height:

6-10 ft.

Mature Width:

8-12 ft.

Sunlight:

Part Sun

Growth Rate:

Slow

Botanical Name:

Acer palmatum var. dissectum ‘Waterfall’

Grows Well In Zones:

5-9 outdoors

Does Not Ship To:

AK, AZ, HI, OR

Growing Zones 5-9 Outdoors

(Hardy down to 10° F)

Care Guide

Watering Requirements

Water newly planted trees deeply, generally 2-3 times a week to help their roots establish depending on conditions. Established trees only need a good soaking during dry spells or summer heatwaves, as they rely mostly on natural rainfall. Container trees dry out much faster and should be watered daily or every other day in hot weather until excess water drains from the bottom.

Sunlight Requirements

Thrives in partial shade, preferably morning sun and afternoon shade. They can tolerate full sun in northern climates, but they should be protected from afternoon sun in southern climates.

Humidity Requirements

Japanese maples thrive best in moderate to high humidity, as dry air can cause their delicate foliage to dry out and scorch at the edges.

Pet-Friendly Plant?

Yes, this plant is safe for homes with pets.

Read our full care guide

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Japanese Maple Trees (Acer palmatum) are ornamental deciduous trees native to Japan, Korea, and China, known for their distinctive palmate leaves, elegant form, and exceptional seasonal color. They're widely grown as specimen trees, container plants, and garden focal points.

What is a Japanese Maple Tree?

Most Japanese Maples do best in a location with morning sun and afternoon shade, especially where summer heat is intense. Coral Bark is notably more sun-tolerant than other varieties and can handle full sun even in warmer zones. All benefit from shelter from harsh winds, which can dry out and damage the foliage.

Where should I plant a Japanese Maple?

Container-grown Japanese Maples need consistent watering; the soil should stay evenly moist but never soggy. They'll need repotting every few years as they grow and may require more winter protection than in-ground plantings since roots are more exposed to freezing temperatures. Compact weeping varieties like Red Dragon, Crimson Queen, Tamukeyama, and Waterfall are particularly well-suited to container growing. See how our plant expert Paris pots a large tree in a container.

How do I care for a Japanese Maple in a container?

Color varies by variety. Red-leafed varieties like Red Dragon, Bloodgood, Crimson Queen, Emperor, and Tamukeyama emerge in spring with deep reds and purples that hold through summer, then turn fiery crimson or scarlet in fall. Coral Bark produces green foliage that shifts to golden yellow in fall, then the coral-red bark becomes the main feature through winter.

When do Japanese Maples change color?

How It Arrives