Durian.

At a glance

Care level

Difficult

Plant type

Tropical fruit tree

Light

Full sun

Indoor light

Direct sun

Water

Every 2 to 5 days

Mature size

30 to 50 meters

Growth rate

Medium

Hardiness

USDA 10 to 12

Bloom time

Late spring to early summer

Care

Keep the soil consistently moist and provide high humidity for the best results. Watch for yellowing leaves which often indicate poor drainage or nutrient issues. It needs a frost free environment to survive.

Watering

Keep the soil evenly moist but never waterlogged.

Feeding

Apply a balanced fertilizer during the active growing season.

Pruning

Remove dead or crossing branches once a year to maintain tree health.

Repotting

Repot only while the tree is young, as it quickly becomes too large for containers.

Soil

Deep, well drained, rich loam

Soil pH

5.0 to 6.5

Temperature

15 to 35°C

Humidity

70 to 90%

Drought tolerance

Low

Lifespan

Perennial, typically 80 to 150 years

Fragrance

Strong

Deer and rabbits

High

Safety

People

The plant is not toxic, but the sharp spines on the fruit husk can cause injury if handled improperly.

Children

The heavy, spiky fruits can fall from great heights and pose a significant physical hazard to children playing underneath.

Contact allergens

The stiff, sharp spines on the fruit husk can cause skin abrasions.

Airborne allergens

There are no notable respiratory allergens associated with this tree.

Edibility

The fruit is widely consumed, but it should not be eaten with alcohol as it can cause severe indigestion.

How to identify it

• Large, spiky, woody fruit husks
• Glossy, dark green, oblong leaves
• Creamy, custard like fruit flesh
• Tall, evergreen tropical tree structure

Height

25 to 50m

Spread

10 to 20m

Leaves

dark green, evergreen

Flowers

white, cream, 5 to 8cm

Fruit

green, brown, Summer to autumn

Problems to watch for

• Fruit BorerCommon
• PhytophthoraCommon
• Root RotCommon
• Leaf SpotUncommon
• Scale InsectsUncommon
• Sooty MoldUncommon
• Stem RotUncommon
• Stem BorersRare

Growing it

Propagation

seed, grafting

When to plant

spring, early monsoon

Overwintering

This tree cannot tolerate frost or temperatures below 15 degrees Celsius. Keep it in a consistently warm, frost free environment year round.

Planting in a diverse orchard helps reduce the spread of soil borne fungal diseases.

Grows well with

• Mangosteen · They share similar requirements for shade and high humidity in their juvenile stages.
• Rambutan · These trees grow well together in mixed tropical orchards.

Similar species

• Kutej Durian · A smaller, yellow fleshed relative with a milder flavor.
• Red Durian · Known for its vibrant red flesh and distinct, nutty taste.

Science

Family

Malvaceae

Genus

Durio

Order

Malvales

Class

Magnoliopsida

Native range

Borneo, Sumatra, and the Malay Peninsula.

Conservation

It is not currently listed as endangered, though wild populations are threatened by habitat loss.

It thrives in humid, lowland rainforests where it relies on bats for pollination.

Value to wildlife

nectar source, bat habitat

Pollinators

bats, bees

Uses

culinary fruit, timber, traditional medicine

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Can I grow a durian tree in a pot?

No, the tree grows far too large and requires a deep, tropical root system.

How long does it take to fruit?

Seedlings typically take 7 to 10 years to produce their first fruit.

Where the name comes from

The scientific name zibethinus refers to the civet cat, which is said to be attracted to the fruit's scent.

Good to know

• The name durian comes from the Malay word duri, meaning thorn.
• Durian is often called the king of fruits in Southeast Asia.
• The fruit is banned on public transport in many cities due to its strong smell.
• Some species of durian are pollinated exclusively by cave nectar bats.

Also in

• Deer-resistant plants