Japanese Zelkova Plant Care

Japanese Zelkova (Zelkova serrata) belongs to the Ulmaceae family within the Zelkova genus. Japanese Zelkova is native to Japan, Korea, eastern China and Taiwan. Japanese Zelkova is also known as Japanese Grey-bark Elm, Saw-leaf Zelkova.

Japanese Zelkova displays an upright, spreading tree growth habit, reaching up to 50 ft tall with a spread of approximately 40 ft. Japanese Zelkova produces inconspicuous small green flowers.

Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Japanese Zelkova 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.

Japanese Zelkova thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Zelkova serrata tolerates temperatures of 10–100°F. Japanese Zelkova prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Well-draining loamy soil with good fertility. Good drainage is essential for Japanese Zelkova to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Japanese Zelkova 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.

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 well-draining loamy soil with good fertility. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Japanese Zelkova is suited to USDA Zone 5a – 8b.

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.

Japanese Zelkova can spread to about 40 ft (12.2 m) and reach about 50 ft (15 m) tall. Space plants about 40 ft (12.2 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 Japanese Zelkova 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.

Japanese Zelkova is hardy down to USDA zone 5a, 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.

Japanese Zelkova can be propagated through seeds, hardwood cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to caucasian zelkova plant care, which shares the same genus.

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

Japanese Zelkova 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.

Japanese Zelkova grows outdoors in USDA Zone 5a – 8b. It survives winters down to planting zone 5a. Japanese Zelkova is native to Japan, Korea, eastern China and Taiwan.