Species jackfruit
Green-yellow spiky fruit with a green leaves on brown-yellow-green stalk with brown trunk.

jackfruit

Artocarpus heterophyllus

The amazing jackfruit, (Artocarpus heterophyllus) is a unique species known for its large size and sweet, yellow fruit. It can reach up to 100 pounds in weight! Plus, due to its distinctive taste, wide range of nutrients, and health benefits, jackfruit is becoming increasingly popular. The jackfruit tree can be a great source of food for both humans and animals in areas of food insecurity. The unripe fruit, leaves, and latex are all edible and rich in vitamin A and C. Its bark and heartwood have medicinal uses due to their anti-inflammatory and antifungal properties. Jackfruit is truly a remarkable species and a fantastic discovery to food security everywhere!

Cycle:

Perennial

Watering:

Frequent

Propagation:

Air Layering Propagation,Grafting Propagation,Cutting,Seed Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

10 - 12

Flowers:

Green Flowers

Sun:

Full sun

Fruits:

Fruits Ready In Fall

Edible:

Yes

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

High

Maintenance:

Moderate

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Tropical:

Yes

watering

In general, jackfruit trees need to be watered at least once per week until established. After that, they require deep waterings at least 2-3 times per week. More mature trees may require less water. During the hottest and driest times of the year, it is important to increase the frequency of watering to keep the soil moist. Additionally, if the soil is sandy, waterings may need to be more frequent. Jackfruit should always be watered until the soil is damp to a depth of about 6-8 inches. Make sure to avoid over-watering, as it can lead to root rot.

sunlight

It is important to ensure that jackfruit trees receive at least 6 to 8 hours of direct and full sunlight every day to produce quality and tasty fruits. Jackfruit is a tropical species of tree and should be grown as such, meaning they should be grown in areas that receive plenty of sunlight throughout the entire year. Without enough light and heat, the fruits may not plump up and ripen as they should. Sunlight also helps to reduce fungal and pest infestations which can damage and weaken the tree.

pruning

Pruning for the jackfruit plant (Artocarpus heterophyllus) should be done twice a year - in the early spring, and again in late summer. Pruning should be done to encourage healthy growth and prevent overcrowding. The amount of pruning will depend on the age, condition and size of the plant; however, a good rule of thumb is to prune off no more than ⅓ of the jackfruit tree's new growth at a time. Pruning will also help to keep the tree at a manageable size in smaller gardens. Structural or maintenance pruning may also be done to ensure safety and to remove dead, damaged and diseased wood, as well as to prevent/thoroughly eliminate any diseases present. When pruning, it is important to use clean, sharp tools on each cut, and to sterilize the tools with alcohol (or another disinfectant) in between cuts to prevent the spread of diseases. Additionally, make sure to wear protective equipment, such as gloves, and to properly dispose of debris afterwards.

Season

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

Jackfruit typically start flowering in April or May.

Harvest Fruit

The harvesting season for Artocarpus heterophyllus (jackfruit) typically begins in April and continues through July.

Harvest Fruit

The harvesting season for Artocarpus heterophyllus (jackfruit) typically begins in April and continues through July.

Hardiness Map