--- title: "Maple branches: vase life, season, meaning & care | Floreboard flower guide" url: https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/maple/ language: en last_reviewed: 2026-10-31 publisher: Floreboard --- # Maple branches: vase life, season, meaning and care for florists ZANDER 5D ♄ ⊔= ＋ ⨂ 7–14 days ❄ Maple branches (Acer palmatum, family Sapindaceae) usually lasts 7–14 days in a vase. In season: Autumn. Fragrance: none. Typical role in a design: branch. - **Botanical name:** Acer palmatum - **Family:** Sapindaceae - **Accepted name:** Acer palmatum Thunb. [POWO](https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:927504-1) · [GBIF](https://www.gbif.org/species/3189882) · [Catalogue of Life](https://www.catalogueoflife.org/data/taxon/94G9) - **Role in a design:** Branch - **Vase life:** 7–14 days - **In season:** Autumn - **Fragrance:** None - **Colours:** [red](https://floreboard.com/en/guides/flowers-by-color/red/), [orange](https://floreboard.com/en/guides/flowers-by-color/orange/), [green](https://floreboard.com/en/guides/flowers-by-color/green/) - **Type:** Branch / foliage - **Pets:** Not flagged as toxic in our knowledge base — check the ASPCA list for the exact species ## Cut flower commercial monograph 🌿 Taxonomy & Origin - **Official name:** Maple branches - **Botanical name:** Acer palmatum - **Family:** Sapindaceae - **Aliases:** None - **Native origin:** Temperate and subtropical regions worldwide 🌸 Morphology & Visuals - **Growth habit:** Woody perennial shrub or decorative branch with structural lignified stems. - **Stem length:** 80–120 cm - **Natural colours:** Red, Orange, Green ⏳ Phenology & Harvest - **Natural bloom:** Natural flowering in autumn - **Commercial supply:** Peak in autumn - **Harvest stage:** Harvest when buds show true colour and outer petals loosen (Stage 2–3). ✂️ Postharvest & Floristry - **Vase life:** 7–14 days - **Cold storage:** Cold storage suitable (2–5°C constant temperature, high humidity). - **Special care:** Split the woody ends, condition in deep water and mist the leaves; they crisp quickly in dry, heated rooms. - **Application:** Serves primarily as Branch in modern floristry, ideal for table arrangements and event designs. - **Market notes:** Split the woody ends, condition in deep water and mist the leaves; they crisp quickly in dry, heated rooms. For florists ## Try Maple branches in a client design We fill in the brief from this page. No stock yet? Load the sample flowers — Maple branches included — and see a recipe, quote and preview image in about a minute. New shops get 30 free credits. Try it as a design — free ## Care and conditioning - Split the woody ends, condition in deep water and mist the leaves; they crisp quickly in dry, heated rooms. ## Where it fits | Use | | Why | | --- | --- | --- | | Hospital visits and condolences | ✓ | Not strongly scented and no heavy pollen. Check that the ward accepts fresh flowers. | | Weddings | ✓ | No pollen staining, and it lasts long enough to make up a day ahead. | | Dining tables and restaurants | ✓ | Little or no scent, so it will not compete with the meal. | | Homes with cats or dogs | ✓ | Not flagged as toxic in our knowledge base; still check the ASPCA list for the exact species. | | Making ahead and next-day delivery | ✓ | About 7–14 days in a vase — fine to make up a day ahead. | ## Pairs well with These are available at the same time as maple branches and have a similar vase life (foliage lasts at least as long), so the arrangement ages evenly: | Flower | Role | Vase life | | --- | --- | --- | | [Lily](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/lily/) | Focal flower | 7–10 days | | [Lisianthus](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/lisianthus/) | Focal flower | 7–14 days | | [Calla lily](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/calla/) | Focal flower | 7–10 days | | [Baby's breath](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/gypsophila/) | Filler flower | 7–10 days | | [China aster](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/aster/) | Filler flower | 7–10 days | | [Solidago (goldenrod)](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/solidago/) | Filler flower | 7–10 days | ## Substitutes When maple branches is unavailable, out of season or priced up before a holiday, these fill the same role at the same time of year: | Flower | Vase life | In season | Fragrance | Pets | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [Photinia](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/photinia/) | 10–14 days | Year-round | None | — | | [Ginkgo](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/ginkgo/) | 5–10 days | Autumn | None | — | | [Bougainvillea](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/bougainvillea/) | 4–7 days | Spring, Summer, Autumn | None | — | | [Amur honeysuckle](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/lonicera/) | 10–14 days | Autumn, Winter | None | — | ## FAQ ### How long does maple branches last in a vase? Usually 7–14 days, depending on variety, origin and conditioning. ### When is maple branches in season? In season in autumn; at other times prices can run high or quality can vary. ### How do you keep maple branches fresh? Split the woody ends, condition in deep water and mist the leaves; they crisp quickly in dry, heated rooms. ### What colours does maple branches come in? Naturally in red, orange, green (not counting dyed stems). ### What can I use instead of maple branches? Flowers with the same role, an overlapping season and a similar vase life: Photinia, Ginkgo, Bougainvillea, Amur honeysuckle. ## Related guides - [Cut flower care and conditioning guide](https://floreboard.com/en/guides/cut-flower-care/) - [Foliage and branches for arrangements](https://floreboard.com/en/guides/foliage-and-branches/) - [Autumn flowers in season](https://floreboard.com/en/guides/seasonal-flowers/autumn/) ## In season at the same time [Chrysanthemum](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/chrysanthemum/) · [Love-lies-bleeding](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/amaranthus/) · [Winterberry](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/redbean/) · [Globe amaranth](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/gomphrena/) · [Zinnia](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/zinnia/) · [Dahlia](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/dahlia/) · [Celosia](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/celosia/) · [Cosmos](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/cosmos/) Last reviewed: 2026-10-31. Reference values from common trade practice. Real results vary with variety, origin and conditioning. Pet toxicity follows the ASPCA toxic and non-toxic plants list. [ASPCA](https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants) · [About our data](https://floreboard.com/en/about/)