Can I grow this in a pot?

It is generally too large for long term container growth.

How do I start it from seed?

Place the large fruit in a container of water or moist sand until it sprouts.

Plant guide

Fish poison tree.

Barringtonia asiatica

Pronounced buh-ring-TOH-nee-uh ay-zhuh-TAY-see-uh

Also known as Asian barringtonia, Box Fruit Tree, Fish Poison Tree, Sea Putat, beach barringtonia, fish-killer-tree, fish-poison-tree, mango-pine

The fish poison tree is a stunning coastal plant known for its large, fragrant, white flowers that bloom at night. It thrives in tropical environments and is often found near the ocean. You will love its dramatic foliage and unique, boxy fruit that floats in water.

At a glance

Care level: Moderate
Plant type: Tropical evergreen tree
Light: Full sun
Indoor light: Direct sun
Water: Every 3 to 7 days
Mature size: 15 to 20 meters
Growth rate: Medium
Hardiness: USDA 10 to 12
Bloom time: Year round with peaks in spring and summer

Care

Keep this tree in a warm, humid spot with plenty of sun to encourage healthy growth. Watch for yellowing leaves, which often signal that the soil is staying too wet for too long. Ensure the soil remains consistently moist but never soggy.

Watering: Water deeply whenever the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.
Feeding: Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer during the active growing season.
Pruning: Prune away dead or crossing branches once a year to maintain a clean shape.
Repotting: Repot only when the roots have completely filled the current container.
Soil: Well draining, sandy, or loamy soil
Soil pH: Neutral to slightly alkaline
Temperature: 15 to 35°C
Humidity: 60 to 90%

Safety

People: All parts of the plant, especially the seeds, contain saponins that are poisonous if ingested.
Pets: The seeds and other parts of this plant are toxic to both cats and dogs if ingested.
Children: Keep children away from the large, heavy fruits as they can cause injury if they fall and are toxic if chewed.
Contact allergens: The sap may cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals.
Airborne allergens: The pollen is not typically considered a major allergen.
Edibility: The seeds are highly toxic and should never be consumed.

How to identify it

Large, glossy, dark green leaves
Showy white flowers with pink stamens
Distinctive square, fibrous, floating fruit
Thick, woody, spreading trunk

Height: 7 to 20m
Spread: 5 to 15m
Leaves: dark green, evergreen
Flowers: white, pink, 10 to 15cm
Fruit: green, brown, Year round

Problems to watch for

Scale InsectsCommon
Leaf SpotUncommon
Root RotUncommon
Sooty MoldUncommon

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: seed, cuttings
When to plant: spring, summer

Plant in groups along the coastline to create a natural windbreak and stabilize dunes.

Grows well with

Coconut Palm · They share similar coastal habitat requirements.
Sea Grape · Both thrive in sandy, salt sprayed environments.

Similar species

Barringtonia racemosa · A related species with similar coastal preferences but different flower structures.

Science

Family: Lecythidaceae
Genus: Barringtonia
Order: Ericales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Tropical coastal regions of the Indian and Pacific Oceans.
Conservation: This species is common in its native coastal range and is not currently threatened.

It is a salt tolerant coastal specialist that uses ocean currents to disperse its buoyant seeds.

Value to wildlife: nectar source
Pollinators: moths, bees
Uses: coastal erosion control, ornamental shade tree, traditional medicine

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 8/9
Soil reaction: 7/9
Light: 8/9
Temperature: 9/9
Moisture: 7/9
Nutrients: 5/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Can I grow this in a pot?: It is generally too large for long term container growth.
How do I start it from seed?: Place the large fruit in a container of water or moist sand until it sprouts.

Where the name comes from

The genus honors the English naturalist Daines Barrington, while the species name asiatica reflects its native distribution.

Good to know

The flowers open at night to attract nocturnal pollinators.
The tree is often called the fish poison tree because the seeds have been used to stun fish.
It is a classic beach tree that thrives in salty, sandy soil.

Also in

Plants toxic to cats and dogs

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This guide was generated with AI on September 26, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.