Breadfruit (ʻulu) Artocarpus altilis
Breadfruit (ʻulu) (Artocarpus altilis) is an evergreen perennial fruit plant in the Moraceae family, native to New Guinea and the western Pacific; spread across Oceania by voyagers. It grows 10–20 m (33–66 ft) tall and 8–12 m (26–39 ft) wide, wants full sun and high water, and is hardy to about 5 °C (41 °F). Space plants about 10 m (33 ft) apart.
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Breadfruit (ʻulu) at a glance
| Type | Perennial fruit plant, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Moraceae |
| Mature height | 10–20 m (33–66 ft) |
| Mature spread | 8–12 m (26–39 ft) |
| Spacing | 10 m (33 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | High; 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 38 °C (100 °F) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | Low |
| Edible | Yes: fruit (cooked: starchy like potato; or ripe and sweet) |
| Native to | New Guinea and the western Pacific; spread across Oceania by voyagers |
| Common in gardens of | 🇵🇭 Philippines, 🇮🇩 Indonesia, 🇲🇾 Malaysia, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇧🇷 Brazil, 🇳🇬 Nigeria |
Is Breadfruit (ʻulu) toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: mildly toxic
- Dogs: mildly toxic
- Parts: sap
Sticky latex.
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 Breadfruit (ʻulu)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and high water.
Questions about Breadfruit (ʻulu)
- How far apart should I plant Breadfruit (ʻulu)?
- About 10 m (33 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 8–12 m (26–39 ft).
- Does Breadfruit (ʻulu) need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Breadfruit (ʻulu) need?
- High water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Breadfruit (ʻulu)?
- It tolerates about 5 °C (41 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 11.
- Is Breadfruit (ʻulu) poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is mildly toxic; for dogs mildly toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Sticky latex.
- What grows well with Breadfruit (ʻulu)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Breadfruit (ʻulu). Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (high).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- Plant database and Hawaiian native plants, National Tropical Botanical Garden (Kauaʻi)
- EcoCrop crop environmental requirements, FAO
Notes and assumptions
- Huge deeply lobed leaves; one tree can give 150–200 fruits a year. Seedless forms are propagated from root shoots (Breadfruit Institute, NTBG).
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
- Common fig Ficus carica
- White mulberry Morus alba
- Rubber fig Ficus elastica
- Chinese banyan Ficus microcarpa
- Jackfruit Artocarpus heterophyllus
- Sacred fig (peepal, bodhi tree) Ficus religiosa
- Indian banyan Ficus benghalensis
- Sycamore fig Ficus sycomorus