Can I grow this in a pot?

It is generally too large for long term container growth.

Does it need full sun?

Yes, it performs best in full sun exposure.

Plant guide

Tamanu.

Calophyllum inophyllum

Pronounced ka-lo-FIL-um in-oh-FIL-um

Also known as Alexandrian Laurel, Alexandrian-laurel, Beach Calophyllum, Beautyleaf, Borneo Mahogany, Borneo-mahogany, Indian doomba oiltree, Indian-laurel

Alexandrian Laurel — Photo by chen ying-hsiao (CC BY-SA) via iNaturalist

The tamanu tree is a beautiful, slow growing evergreen known for its glossy, dark green leaves and fragrant white flowers. It thrives in coastal areas and is highly valued for the rich oil extracted from its seeds. It makes a lovely ornamental tree if you have the space for its wide, spreading canopy.

Another photo of Tamanu — Photo by Mark McVeigh (CC0) via gbif

At a glance

Care level: Moderate
Plant type: Evergreen tree
Light: Full sun
Indoor light: Direct sun
Water: Every 7 to 14 days
Mature size: 20 to 30 meters
Growth rate: Slow
Hardiness: USDA 10 to 12
Bloom time: Intermittent throughout the year

Care

This tree prefers well draining soil and plenty of sun to stay healthy. Watch for yellowing leaves which may indicate poor drainage or overwatering. Keep an eye out for common pests like scale or aphids during the warmer months.

Watering: Water deeply once the top few inches of soil feel dry to the touch.
Feeding: Apply a balanced fertilizer during the active growing season.
Pruning: Prune lightly once a year to maintain shape and remove dead branches.
Repotting: Repot only when the tree has clearly outgrown its current container.
Soil: Sandy, well draining soil
Soil pH: 6.0 to 7.5
Temperature: 10 to 35°C
Humidity: 60 to 90%
Drought tolerance: Moderate
Lifespan: Long lived perennial tree.
Fragrance: Strong
Deer and rabbits: Moderate

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of drainage holes.
Stunted growth despite proper care.

Safety

People: All parts of the plant are considered toxic if ingested, especially the seeds.
Pets: The seeds and oil are considered toxic if ingested by cats or dogs.
Children: Keep children away from the fruit and seeds as they are poisonous if swallowed.
Contact allergens: The sap can cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals.
Airborne allergens: There is no significant evidence of airborne allergens.
Edibility: The seeds contain toxic compounds and should never be consumed.

How to identify it

Glossy, leathery, dark green leaves
Fragrant white flowers with yellow centers
Large, round, green fruit
Spreading, irregular canopy shape
Deeply fissured, dark gray bark

Height: 8 to 20m
Spread: 6 to 15m
Leaves: dark green, glossy, evergreen
Flowers: white, 2 to 3cm
Fruit: green, brown, Year round

Problems to watch for

Scale InsectsCommon
Leaf SpotUncommon
Sooty MoldUncommon
Root RotRare

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: seed, cuttings
When to plant: spring, summer
Overwintering: Protect from frost at all costs as it is strictly a tropical plant.
In containers: Not suitable for long term container growth due to its massive size.

Seed

1. Collect mature brown fruit.
2. Remove the fleshy outer layer.
3. Plant in moist sandy soil.
4. Keep warm until germination.

Plant in areas with well draining soil to prevent root rot.

Grows well with

Coconut Palm · They share similar coastal environmental requirements.
Sea Grape · Both are excellent for stabilizing sandy coastal soils.

Similar species

Calophyllum brasiliense · A related species with similar growth habits.

Science

Family: Calophyllaceae
Genus: Calophyllum
Order: Malpighiales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Tropical regions of Asia, Africa, and the Pacific Islands.
Conservation: This species is not currently listed as endangered.

It is a salt tolerant tree that naturally stabilizes sandy coastal dunes.

Value to wildlife: provides nesting habitat, nectar source
Pollinators: bees, butterflies
Uses: ornamental shade tree, coastal erosion control, oil production, timber

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: 6/9
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.
Does it need full sun?: Yes, it performs best in full sun exposure.

Where the name comes from

The name Calophyllum comes from Greek words meaning beautiful leaf, while inophyllum refers to its leaf veins.

Good to know

It is often called the Alexandrian laurel.
The wood is highly valued for boat building due to its resistance to rot.
It thrives in salty coastal environments.
The flowers are quite fragrant.

Also in

Plants toxic to cats and dogs

Keep your tamanu growing

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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.