Ambarella (June plum) Spondias dulcis
Ambarella (June plum) (Spondias dulcis) is an evergreen perennial fruit plant in the Anacardiaceae family, native to Melanesia and Polynesia. It grows 9–18 m (30–59 ft) tall and 6–10 m (20–33 ft) wide, wants full sun and moderate water, and is hardy to about 5 °C (41 °F). Space plants about 8 m (26 ft) apart.
Plan Ambarella (June plum) in your garden →
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Ambarella (June plum) at a glance
| Type | Perennial fruit plant, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Anacardiaceae |
| Mature height | 9–18 m (30–59 ft) |
| Mature spread | 6–10 m (20–33 ft) |
| Spacing | 8 m (26 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 8 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 5.5–7.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About 5 °C (41 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 11) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 40 °C (104 °F) |
| Flowering | about 156–209 weeks after planting, for 4–9 weeks |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Yes: fruit (green or ripe), young leaves |
| Native to | Melanesia and Polynesia |
| Common in gardens of | 🇹🇭 Thailand, 🇻🇳 Vietnam, 🇮🇩 Indonesia, 🇲🇾 Malaysia, 🇵🇭 Philippines, 🇸🇬 Singapore, 🇮🇳 India, 🇧🇷 Brazil |
Is Ambarella (June plum) toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
No toxicity reported in standard references.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Ambarella (June plum)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and moderate water.
Questions about Ambarella (June plum)
- How far apart should I plant Ambarella (June plum)?
- About 8 m (26 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 6–10 m (20–33 ft).
- Does Ambarella (June plum) need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 8 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Ambarella (June plum) need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Ambarella (June plum)?
- It tolerates about 5 °C (41 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 11.
- When does Ambarella (June plum) flower?
- About 156–209 weeks after planting, for 4–9 weeks.
- Is Ambarella (June plum) poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. No toxicity reported in standard references.
- What grows well with Ambarella (June plum)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Ambarella (June plum). Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- UF/IFAS Extension tropical and subtropical fruit and landscape publications, University of Florida
- Flora & Fauna Web, National Parks Board, Singapore
- GRIN-Global Taxonomy, USDA ARS
Notes and assumptions
- Eaten green and sour with chilli salt or ripe and sweet; the stone is spiny. Loses its leaves briefly in the dry season.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
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