How to plant an acer in a pot

As well as being easy to look after, they'll reward you with feathery plumage all summer that slowly changes colour as the weather turns colder. Look forward to a blaze of fiery reds, russet browns, oranges and butter yellows.

Best soil for Japanese maple in container

Japanese maples need nutrient-rich soil that's moist but well-drained. They tend to do best in slightly ericaceous soil but, for pots, a loam-based soil like John Innes number 2 or 3 is needed for soil structure and moisture retention, so a 50:50 mix of John Innes and ericaceous compost is ideal.

My potted acer keeps dying - why?

In this Quick Tips video, Kate Bradbury, BBC Gardeners' World Magazine, explains how to provide the best growing conditions for potted acers, and how to keep them looking their best:

Follow our step-by-step guide to planting an acer in a pot, below.

You Will Need

• Acer
• Large pot
• Compost, equal-part mix of ericaceous compost and John Innes No.3
• Decorative mulch

Total time: 20 minutes

Step 1

Half-fill the pot with compost, then remove the acer from its container and position it in the middle of the pot.

Step 2

Fill in around the plant with fresh compost and firm it in gently, making sure it's planted at the same depth as it was in its original container.

Step 3

Top the compost with a layer of decorative mulch, such as pebbles or crushed shells – this will help to avoid water loss in summer. Water well.