Emerald jade maple is a rare evergreen vine maple in the maple family (Sapindaceae) native to Vietnam and China. It may struggle in zone 7 but will do well in zone 8 and higher. In warmer climates it is evergreen. but leaves will drop if temperatures drop to 20 degrees F. In its native habitat, it can reach a height and width of 20 to 30 feet but may be smaller in cultivation. Plant it in well-drained soil with high organic matter in partial sun. It has slender unlobed leaves that do not look like other maples. New spring growth is reddish and the winged samaras start out red and mature to brownish-yellow. This tree can be grown in a woodland garden, as and understory tree and because it grows slowly it can be grown in a container on the patio. It can also be grown as a bonsai specimen. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious problems. See potential insect and disease problem fact sheets to the left. The Clemson Cooperative Extension Home and Garden Information Center has a factsheet on common maple diseases and insect pests. More information on Acer .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
High Organic Matter
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage
Available space
12-24 feet; 24-60 feet
NC region
Coastal; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 20 ft. 0 in. - 30 ft. 0 in. | Width: 20 ft. 0 in. - 30 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Slow
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
2 - Understory (15-40 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Dense; Erect; Multi-stemmed; Spreading
Foliage
Broadleaf Evergreen; Semi-evergreen
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Opposite
Leaf shape
Lanceolate; Oblong
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf feel
Glossy
Leaf size
3-6 inches long, < 1 inch wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Glossy deep green unlobed slender leaves with prominent veins and pointed tips. New spring leaves are red. 2-4 inches long and 3/4 to 1 inch wide
Flower color
Green; White
Flower form
Insignificant
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
Pale green to white insignificant blooms
Fruit color
Brown/Copper; Gold/Yellow; Red/Burgundy
Fruit type
Samara
Fruit value
Showy
Fruit size
1-3 inches long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
Redish two seeded samaras. Mature to brownish-yellow. 1-2 inches long.
Bark color
Dark Brown; Dark Gray
Stem color
Green; Red/Burgundy
Stem detail
New shoots have red tips. Branches slim and grey-brown.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Non-native
Origin
Vietnam, South China
Wildlife value
Members of the genus Acer support Imperial Moth (Eacles imperialis) larvae which have one brood per season and appear from April-October in the south. Adult Imperial Moths do not feed.
Attracts
Moths; Pollinators
Food & Medicine
Fruit type
Samara
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Container; Lawn; Patio; Recreational Play Area; Small Space; Woodland