Hainan maple Plant Care

Hainan maple (Acer hainanense) belongs to the Sapindaceae family within the Acer genus. Hainan maple is native to southern China, northern India, northern Myanmar, Nepal, and northern Vietnam. Hainan maple is also known as Hainan Island maple.

Hainan maple displays an upright, spreading tree growth habit, reaching up to 30 ft tall with a spread of approximately 25 ft. Hainan maple produces small inconspicuous flowers in clusters.

Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Hainan maple every 7–14 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established trees mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Hainan maple thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Acer hainanense tolerates temperatures of 50–100°F. Hainan maple prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Rich, well-draining soil with plenty of organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Hainan maple to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Hainan maple every 8 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established trees in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and rich, well-draining soil with plenty of organic matter. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Hainan maple is suited to USDA Zone 9b – 11b.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped trees in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

Hainan maple can spread to about 25 ft (7.6 m) and reach about 30 ft (9 m) tall. Space plants about 25 ft (7.6 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the tree spacing calculator.

Prune Hainan maple while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the tree in one year.

Hainan maple is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 9). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Hainan maple can be propagated through seeds, softwood cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to sugar maple tree plant care, which shares the same genus.

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Hainan maple is susceptible to aphids, scale insects, caterpillars. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

Hainan maple grows outdoors in USDA Zone 9b – 11b. It survives winters down to planting zone 9b. Hainan maple is native to southern China, northern India, northern Myanmar, Nepal, and northern Vietnam. In cooler regions, grow Hainan maple as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.