Durian Durio zibethinus
Durian (Durio zibethinus) is an evergreen perennial fruit plant in the Malvaceae family, native to Borneo and Sumatra (lowland rainforest); cultivated across Southeast Asia. It grows 12–40 m (39–131 ft) tall and 10–15 m (33–49 ft) wide, wants full sun and high water, and is hardy to about 10 °C (50 °F). Space plants about 10 m (33 ft) apart.
Plan Durian in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Durian at a glance
| Type | Perennial fruit plant, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Malvaceae |
| Mature height | 12–40 m (39–131 ft) |
| Mature spread | 10–15 m (33–49 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 | 5–6.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About 10 °C (50 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 12) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 38 °C (100 °F) |
| Flowering | from about March for 3–6 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Yes: fruit aril (flesh), seeds (cooked) |
| Native to | Borneo and Sumatra (lowland rainforest); cultivated across Southeast Asia |
| Common in gardens of | 🇸🇬 Singapore, 🇹🇭 Thailand, 🇮🇩 Indonesia, 🇲🇾 Malaysia |
Is Durian toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
No toxicity reported. Falling fruit (1–3 kg, spiny) is a real hazard under fruiting trees.
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 Durian
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and high water.
See Durian in a botanical garden
It grows in these sample gardens, which you can walk through in 3D:
- Singapore Botanic Gardens (2 plants)
- Gardens by the Bay (1 plants)
Questions about Durian
- How far apart should I plant Durian?
- About 10 m (33 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 10–15 m (33–49 ft).
- Does Durian need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Durian need?
- High water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Durian?
- It tolerates about 10 °C (50 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 12.
- When does Durian flower?
- From about March for 3–6 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Durian 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. Falling fruit (1–3 kg, spiny) is a real hazard under fruiting trees.
- What grows well with Durian?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Durian. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (high).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- EcoCrop crop environmental requirements, FAO
- Flora & Fauna Web, National Parks Board, Singapore
- CABI Invasive Species Compendium, CABI
Notes and assumptions
- Tropical lowland plant: outdoors only where it never frosts (as in Singapore); elsewhere it needs a heated glasshouse.
- Flowers open at dusk on the older branches and are pollinated mainly by cave nectar bats (Eonycteris); leaves have coppery-scaled undersides.
- 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
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- Hollyhock Alcea rosea
- Tropical hibiscus Hibiscus rosa-sinensis
- Rose of Sharon Hibiscus syriacus
- Small-leaved lime (linden) Tilia cordata
- Cacao Theobroma cacao
- Red silk-cotton tree (kapok) Bombax ceiba
- African baobab Adansonia digitata