Photo: mami_t_tCC BY 4.0via iNaturalistresized / cropped
Japanese Kerria Plant Care
Kerria japonica (L.) DC.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Kerria japonica, commonly known as Japanese kerria or Japanese rose, is a deciduous, yellow-flowering shrub in the rose family (Rosaceae), native to China and Japan. It is the only species in the genus Kerria.
Every 7–10 days
Partial shade to full sun
0–90°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Japanese Kerria?
Plant Japanese Kerria in partial shade to full sun and water a young tree every 7–10 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 0–90°F (-18–32°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
What Is the Japanese Kerria?
Japanese Kerria (Kerria japonica) belongs to the Rosaceae family within the Kerria genus. Japanese Kerria is native to China and Japan. Japanese Kerria is also known as Japanese Rose, Jew's Mallow.
Japanese Kerria displays an upright, spreading shrub growth habit, reaching up to 6 ft tall with a spread of approximately 6 ft. Japanese Kerria produces yellow, pom-pom shaped flowers.
Leaf size: approximately 3 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Japanese Kerria?
Water a young or newly planted Japanese Kerria every 7–10 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.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–10 days
Until established; then in dry spells
What Light Does the Japanese Kerria Need?
Japanese Kerria thrives in partial shade to full sun.
Light Requirement
Partial shade to full sun
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Japanese Kerria Prefer?
Kerria japonica tolerates temperatures of 0–90°F. Japanese Kerria prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
0–90°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Japanese Kerria?
Moist, well-draining soil rich in organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Japanese Kerria to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Japanese Kerria?
Feed Japanese Kerria every 6 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.
Fertilizing
Every 6 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
Where Should You Plant a Japanese Kerria?
Choose a spot with partial shade to full sun and moist, well-draining soil rich in organic matter. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.
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.
How Far Apart Should You Plant a Japanese Kerria?
Japanese Kerria can spread to about 6 ft (1.8 m) and reach about 6 ft (2 m) tall. Space plants about 6 ft (1.8 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.
How Do You Prune a Japanese Kerria?
Prune Japanese Kerria 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.
How Do You Care for a Japanese Kerria in Winter?
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.
How Do You Propagate a Japanese Kerria?
Japanese Kerria can be propagated through softwood cuttings, division, layering.
Is the Japanese Kerria Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Japanese Kerria, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Japanese Kerria?
Japanese Kerria is susceptible to aphids, japanese beetles, scale insects. 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.
Keep exploring plants
Japanese Kerria is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Kerria genus — compare its care with other Kerria species on PlantoScan.
Kerria is part of the Rosaceae plant family — browse all Rosaceae genera and species.
Japanese Kerria thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Kerria japonica (L.) DC., family Rosaceae (first published in Trans. Linn. Soc. London 12: 157 (1818)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record, Wikidata.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Japanese Kerria, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Photo: mami_t_t, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist — original.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
Identify Plants Like the
Japanese Kerria Instantly
Scan any plant with your phone camera and get instant ID, care tips, water and fertilizer reminders, and health checks — all in one app.
Free
to download
iOS & Android
platforms
Light & dark
mode
100,000+
species