Jackfruit Tree
Artocarpus heterophyllus
A large tropical evergreen tree that produces the biggest tree-borne fruit in the world, with enormous spiky green fruit growing directly on the trunk and main branches.
- Light
- Full sun
- Water
- Regular; keep soil moist
- Difficulty
- Moderate
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Overview
The jackfruit tree is a large evergreen in the fig and mulberry family, famous for bearing the largest fruit of any tree, with individual fruits sometimes exceeding 35 kg. It is native to the rainforests of the Western Ghats of India.
The enormous, spiky green fruit grows directly on the trunk and main branches (cauliflory). It is an important fruiting tree cultivated widely across South and Southeast Asia.
How to identify it
A massive evergreen tree with leathery leaves and huge spiky fruit on the trunk.
- Leaves: Glossy, leathery, oval, 10-20 cm, dark green
- Bark: Reddish-brown; the tree exudes sticky white latex when cut
- Flowers: Tiny, borne on fleshy stalks; male and female on the same tree
- Fruit: Enormous, oblong, 30-90 cm long, green to yellow-brown with a knobby, bumpy rind; among the heaviest of all fruits
- Size: Commonly 10-20 m tall
Care & growing
Vigorous in hot, humid climates but needs space.
- Light: Full sun
- Water: Keep soil moist; needs regular water but resents waterlogging
- Soil: Deep, well-drained, fertile soil; does not tolerate standing water
- Temperature: Strictly tropical; very frost-sensitive and damaged below about 0-5C
- Feeding: Regular feeding supports the tree's heavy fruit production
- Propagation: Seed (which loses viability quickly) or grafting; allow ample room, as trees grow large
Habitat & origin
Artocarpus heterophyllus is native to the rainforests of southwestern India, particularly the Western Ghats.
It is cultivated throughout tropical Asia, Africa, Brazil and the Caribbean, and is especially important in India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Thailand and the Philippines. It thrives in hot, humid lowland tropics.
Frequently asked questions
How big does a jackfruit get?
It is the largest tree-borne fruit in the world, commonly 30-50 cm long and 10-25 kg, with record fruits over 50 kg.
How can you recognize a jackfruit tree?
Look for a large evergreen with glossy leathery oval leaves, reddish-brown bark that exudes white latex when cut, and enormous knobby fruit growing directly on the trunk and main branches.
Why is the jackfruit tree so sticky?
The fruit and tree exude a sticky white latex when cut, a characteristic of the fig and mulberry family.
What climate does jackfruit need?
It is strictly tropical, thriving in hot, humid lowlands, and is very frost-sensitive, suffering damage below roughly 0-5C.
Jackfruit Tree guides
In-depth guides for identifying, growing, and caring for Jackfruit Tree.
