Amla (Indian gooseberry) Phyllanthus emblica
Amla (Indian gooseberry) (Phyllanthus emblica) is a deciduous perennial fruit plant in the Phyllanthaceae family, native to Tropical and subtropical South and Southeast Asia. It grows 5–12 m (16–39 ft) tall and 4–8 m (13–26 ft) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about -1 °C (30 °F). Space plants about 7 m (23 ft) apart.
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Amla (Indian gooseberry) at a glance
| Type | Perennial fruit plant, deciduous |
|---|---|
| Family | Phyllanthaceae |
| Mature height | 5–12 m (16–39 ft) |
| Mature spread | 4–8 m (13–26 ft) |
| Spacing | 7 m (23 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance high, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 6–8.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -1 °C (30 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 10) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 46 °C (115 °F) |
| Flowering | from about March for 4–6 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | Low |
| Edible | Yes: fruit (very sour, rich in vitamin C) |
| Native to | Tropical and subtropical South and Southeast Asia |
| Common in gardens of | 🇮🇳 India |
Is Amla (Indian gooseberry) toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
No toxicity reported in ASPCA or standard poison 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 Amla (Indian gooseberry)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and low water.
Questions about Amla (Indian gooseberry)
- How far apart should I plant Amla (Indian gooseberry)?
- About 7 m (23 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 4–8 m (13–26 ft).
- Does Amla (Indian gooseberry) need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Amla (Indian gooseberry) need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is high and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Amla (Indian gooseberry)?
- It tolerates about -1 °C (30 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 10.
- When does Amla (Indian gooseberry) flower?
- From about March for 4–6 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Amla (Indian gooseberry) 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 ASPCA or standard poison references.
- What grows well with Amla (Indian gooseberry)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Amla (Indian gooseberry). Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (low).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- India Biodiversity Portal (species pages), India Biodiversity Portal
- Plants For A Future database, PFAF
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Notes and assumptions
- Typical garden-form values; cultivars and local conditions differ.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Star gooseberry (Otaheite gooseberry, ma-yom) Phyllanthus acidus
- Burmese grape (ma-fai) Baccaurea ramiflora
- Bignay (mao luang) Antidesma bunius
- Katuk (sweet leaf, phak wan ban) Breynia androgyna
- Masuku (wild loquat, mahobohobo) Uapaca kirkiana
- Strawberry Fragaria x ananassa
- Blueberry Vaccinium corymbosum
- Dwarf apple tree Malus domestica