Italian Maple Plant Care

Italian Maple (Acer opalus) belongs to the Sapindaceae family within the Acer genus. Italian Maple is native to the hills and mountains of southern and western Europe, from Italy to Spain and north to southern Germany, and also in northwest Africa in Algeria. Italian Maple is also known as Southern Maple.

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

Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Italian 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.

Italian Maple thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Acer opalus tolerates temperatures of 20–100°F. Italian Maple prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

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

Feed Italian 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.

Italian Maple is suited to USDA Zone 6a – 9b.

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.

Italian 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 Italian 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.

Italian Maple is hardy down to USDA zone 6a, so once established it can stay outdoors through winter in that zone and warmer ones.

Water deeply in late autumn before the ground freezes, and spread a 5–8 cm (2–3 in) layer of mulch over the root zone, keeping it away from the trunk.

Young and container-grown trees need extra protection: roots in a pot freeze much more easily than roots in the ground.

Italian Maple can be propagated through seeds, softwood cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to japanese maple plant care, which shares the same genus.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

Italian 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.

Italian Maple grows outdoors in USDA Zone 6a – 9b. It survives winters down to planting zone 6a. Italian Maple is native to the hills and mountains of southern and western Europe, from Italy to Spain and north to southern Germany, and also in northwest Africa in Algeria.