Species tamarind
brown fruits with brown branches and olive leaves

tamarind

Tamarindus indica

Tamarind (Tamarindus indica) is a tropical tree native to Africa and India, but is now found in many parts of the world. It can grow up to 30 meters in height and has a smooth, curved trunk with long, narrow leaves. Its distinctive fruit is a hard, brown pod that contains a sweet-sour taste pulp. Tamarind has been used in traditional Ayurvedic medicine for centuries, and its edible fruit is often used to flavor foods and beverages. Its leaves and barks have antiseptic, laxative, and digestive properties, making them popular as folk remedies. The tamarind tree is a highly regarded symbol of good luck throughout much of South Asia.

Cycle:

Perennial

Watering:

Average

Propagation:

Air Layering Propagation,Grafting Propagation,Cutting,Seed Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

10 - 11

Flowers:

Cream to pale yellow Flowers

Sun:

full sun

Fruits:

green,yellow,orange,brown Fruits Ready In

Edible:

Yes

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

Low

Maintenance:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Thorny:

Yes

Tropical:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Tamarind (Tamarindus indica) prefers well-drained soil and does best when watered regularly. It should be watered deeply but infrequently—aim for every 10–14 days—to ensure its roots are able to take in adequate moisture. During the summer months, it might be necessary to water more frequently if the soil begins to dry out. Be sure not to overwater Tamarind plants, as they can develop root rot from too much moisture.

sunlight

Tamarind (Tamarindus indica) is a tropical, evergreen tree species native to Africa and India. Tamarind will tolerate partial shade, although it may produce a less flavorful, lower yielding crop if grown in partially shaded parts of the garden. For optimal production, it’s best to plant tamarind in an area with direct southern exposure or western exposure so that the tree will get between 6 - 10 hours of full sun each day.

pruning

Tamarind trees should typically be pruned twice a year, once in early spring and once in late summer. When pruning, the most important areas to focus on are dead or diseased branches, suckers, and branches growing into each other. These should be removed to open up the canopy and allow for more light and air circulation. Additionally, thinning out the interior branches can reduce the overall size of the tree, allowing for more light and preventing it from becoming too heavy. Generally, no more than 1-third of the total growth of a tamarind tree should ever be removed in a single pruning session.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering

Tamarindus indica typically starts flowering in April.

Harvest Fruit

The harvesting season for Tamarindus indica typically begins in April and continues through June.

Harvest Fruit

The harvesting season for Tamarindus indica typically begins in April and continues through June.

Hardiness Map