Malay apple (jambu bol) Syzygium malaccense
Malay apple (jambu bol) (Syzygium malaccense) is an evergreen perennial fruit plant in the Myrtaceae family, native to Malesia. It grows 8–15 m (26–49 ft) tall and 5–8 m (16–26 ft) wide, wants full sun and high water, and is hardy to about 10 °C (50 °F). Space plants about 7 m (23 ft) apart.
Plan Malay apple (jambu bol) in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Malay apple (jambu bol) at a glance
| Type | Perennial fruit plant, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Myrtaceae |
| Mature height | 8–15 m (26–49 ft) |
| Mature spread | 5–8 m (16–26 ft) |
| Spacing | 7 m (23 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 5 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | High; drought tolerance none, waterlogging tolerance low |
| Soil pH | 5–6.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About 10 °C (50 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 12) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 36 °C (97 °F) |
| Flowering | about 209–313 weeks after planting, for 3–6 weeks |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Yes: fruit (crisp, mild; raw or in rujak) |
| Native to | Malesia |
| Common in gardens of | 🇲🇾 Malaysia, 🇮🇩 Indonesia, 🇵🇭 Philippines, 🇻🇳 Vietnam, 🇸🇬 Singapore, 🇧🇷 Brazil |
Is Malay apple (jambu bol) 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 Malay apple (jambu bol)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and high water.
Keep apart or take care
- caution With Guava: Myrtle rust (Austropuccinia psidii) infects guava, feijoa, Surinam cherry and many other Myrtaceae; it spreads by airborne spores between them. Evidence B
Questions about Malay apple (jambu bol)
- How far apart should I plant Malay apple (jambu bol)?
- About 7 m (23 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 5–8 m (16–26 ft).
- Does Malay apple (jambu bol) need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 5 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Malay apple (jambu bol) need?
- High water. Drought tolerance is none and waterlogging tolerance low.
- How cold-hardy is Malay apple (jambu bol)?
- It tolerates about 10 °C (50 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 12.
- When does Malay apple (jambu bol) flower?
- About 209–313 weeks after planting, for 3–6 weeks.
- Is Malay apple (jambu bol) 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 Malay apple (jambu bol)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Malay apple (jambu bol). 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).
- PROSEA: Plant Resources of South-East Asia, PROSEA Foundation, Bogor
- UF/IFAS Extension tropical and subtropical fruit and landscape publications, University of Florida
Notes and assumptions
- Showy magenta pom-pom flowers burst from the trunk and carpet the ground; bell-shaped red fruits follow about three months later.
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
- Lemon myrtle Backhousia citriodora
- Guava Psidium guajava
- Feijoa Acca sellowiana
- Surinam cherry (pitanga) Eugenia uniflora
- Cider gum (eucalyptus) Eucalyptus gunnii
- Lilly pilly Syzygium smithii
- Crimson bottlebrush Melaleuca citrina
- Mānuka (tea tree) Leptospermum scoparium