So, you’ve decided to plant a Japanese Maple tree in an ornamental container. Or, maybe you have a Japanese maple in a container that has grown too large for its space, and it might be time to transplant it. Either way, on this page, you’ll find the best soil for a Japanese maple in a container that you can buy online or find at your local garden center.
Best Soil for Japanese Maple in Container
Best Soil for Japanese Maple in Container
FoxFarm FX14054 Happy Frog Potting Soil, 12 Quart
Happy Frog Potting Soil Mix (Buy Online) has been carefully designed to provide your Japanese maple with everything it needs to flourish in a container.
The biggest problem with growing a Japanese maple tree is that it’s hard to find the right soil for it. Most soils are either too heavy or too light and you can’t get them wet enough without drowning your plant.
Happy Frog Potting Soil solves all of these problems. It’s lightweight and drains well so even if you water your plant often, it won’t drown because this fibrous tree bark-based soil mix will allow air pockets to slowly open up shortly after watering.
It also has just the right amount of nutrients for healthy growth without being overbearing on your plant’s roots.
Plus, this potting mix has been inoculated with beneficial microbes and mycorrhizal fungi which help enhance root development and nutrient uptake.
Michigan Peat 1250 Baccto Premium Potting Soil, 50-Pound
Michigan Peat Baccto Premium Potting Soil (Buy Online) is made from all-natural ingredients that will give your Japanese maple a healthy start in life. This peat-based soil has everything your plant needs to thrive, including starter fertilizer to get things going quickly and slow-release fertilizer so that it lasts longer than other brands out there.
Michigan Peat Baccto Premium Potting Soil is the best choice for growing Japanese maples in containers or garden beds. It has a rich dark reed sedge peat base with perlite and added sand for drainage (which means less risk of root rot).
The advanced nutrient system in this potting soil mix includes time-released fertilizers that are released gradually as the plant grows, which ensures successful growth while avoiding fertilizer burn or salt accumulation from fast-acting chemicals.
Best of all, this premium potting soil comes right out of the bag ready to use; there’s no need to improve its drainage with perlite, sand, or lava rocks before adding this potting mix to a container.
Premium All Purpose Potting Soil, 1.5 cu. ft. Bag
Premium All Purpose Potting Soil (Buy Online) is specially formulated with Canadian sphagnum peat moss, processed softwood bark, perlite, dolomite lime, and controlled release fertilizer so that you can plant your tree confidently knowing that it has everything it needs to grow strong roots and beautiful leaves.
This medium-weight mix also provides excellent air porosity and drainage so that water won’t pool around your tree’s root ball or damage its delicate feeder roots. It even has been treated with a wetting agent which helps this blend retain moisture without becoming too soggy or compacted over time
Michigan Peat 5540 Garden Magic Top Soil, 40-Pound
Michigan Peat Garden Magic Top Soil (Buy Online) is the perfect base for a custom potting soil mix. It’s made from reed sedge peat moss mixed with sand so that it drains well but still provides plenty of nutrients for your plants. This blend can be used as-is or you can customize by adding perlite, lava rocks and other amendments like compost to improve its fertility and drainage.
Michigan Peat 5720 Garden Magic Potting Soil, 20-Pound
Michigan Peat Garden Magic Potting Soil (Buy Online) is an excellent choice for growing Japanese maples in containers because it holds onto enough moisture during dry spells without becoming waterlogged and heavy like other peat-based soils.
Coast of Maine Organic Potting Soil, 2 cu. ft.
Coast of Maine Organic Potting Soil (Buy Online) has been specially designed for growing trees like Japanese maples in containers. This unique blend of composts and nutrients offers everything your plants need so they can thrive from day one while also providing excellent drainage so they won’t suffer any ill effects due to overwatering.
Ace Potting Soil 20 lb.
Ace Potting Soil (Buy Online) has been specifically designed as an all-purpose potting mix that will work well in most containers or planters and help keep your plants healthy and strong while producing sturdy roots.
Ace Potting Soil is just what you need for any plant-based gardening project. It has all of the nutritional elements and minerals needed to keep your maple happy and healthy while still providing ample drainage. The best part? It’s dirt cheap and you can pick it up at your local Ace hardware store.
Japanese Maple Soil Moisture Crystals
AABACO Water Storing Crystals – for Indoor & Outdoor Plants
Aabaco Water Storing Crystals (Buy Online) keep moisture around longer for healthier, happier plants. Each crystal will swell up to 10 times its size when it gets wet and slowly release moisture back into the soil over a period of weeks so you can rest assured your plant won’t dry out during a prolonged drought.
Best Pot for a Japanese Maple
PolyStone Baja Modern Outdoor/Indoor Round Planter
This PolyStone Baja Modern Round Planter (Buy Online) looks just like cast-stone or concrete, but it’s actually made from recycled polyethylene plastics.
This innovative planter is handcrafted with three distinct eco-friendly layers for added durability. It’s lightweight enough to move easily, and it can be used both inside and outside without worrying about it cracking or fading over time.
This modern outdoor planter also features large pre-drilled drainage holes so water doesn’t sit at the bottom of the pot where roots could rot (a common problem in most store-bought containers)
Veradek Rust Corten Cube Large Steel Metal Square Planter
The Veradek Rust Metal Cube Planter (Buy Online) is an excellent choice for growing a Japanese maple because its strong, thick steel walls won’t split or crack like other containers would over time.
This metal planter is also easy to move around thanks to its lightweight frame and has drainage holes so excess water can flow out easily without drowning your plant’s roots
Plus, this rustic cube planter will become a natural masterpiece; since it arrives in its bare steel unrusted state and over time, develops a unique rust patina all on its own.
ACHLA Terra Cotta Large Modern Jane Stone Planter
The ACHLA Terra Cotta Stone Planter (Buy Online) will fit perfectly into any room of your house, which makes it a perfect choice if you want to grow a Japanese Maple Bonsai Tree indoors year-round.
Plus, this planter has a lightweight yet durable construction, and it comes complete with a sturdy wrought iron stand that provides stability as well as giving it an authentic rustic feel that adds character to any space
Japanese Maple Soil Requirements
What Kind of Soil Does a Japanese Maple Need
The Japanese maple can grow in many different types of soil, but for a really long-lasting Japanese maple, I recommend using an all-purpose potting mix with pine bark and perlite. Pumice or small lava rocks would also work to provide good drainage.
Japanese Maple Soil pH
Japanese maples prefer slightly acidic to neutral soil for healthy growth. The pH range they thrive in is 6.0-7.0, but planting them in a more alkaline environment (i.e., higher pH) will not kill the tree, as Japanese maples can tolerate a wider range of soil conditions.
