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Pará rubber tree Hevea brasiliensis

Pará rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis) is an evergreen perennial tree in the Euphorbiaceae family, native to Amazon basin (Brazil, Peru, Bolivia). It grows 15–30 m (49–98 ft) tall and 8–15 m (26–49 ft) wide, wants full sun and high water, and is hardy to about 8 °C (46 °F). Space plants about 7 m (23 ft) apart.

Plan Pará rubber tree in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.

Pará rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis)
Photo: (c) Cheongweei Gan, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Cheongweei Gan · CC-BY-SA

Pará rubber tree at a glance

TypePerennial tree, evergreen
FamilyEuphorbiaceae
Mature height15–30 m (49–98 ft)
Mature spread8–15 m (26–49 ft)
Spacing7 m (23 ft) centre to centre
SunFull sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day
WaterHigh; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance low
Soil pH4.5–6.5
Cold hardinessAbout 8 °C (46 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 11)
Heat stressLikely above about 38 °C (100 °F)
Floweringfrom about March for 3–6 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones)
Wind toleranceLow
Pollinator valueLow
EdibleNot grown as food
Native toAmazon basin (Brazil, Peru, Bolivia)
Common in gardens of🇧🇷 Brazil, 🇹🇭 Thailand, 🇸🇬 Singapore

Is Pará rubber tree toxic?

Latex can trigger latex allergy; seeds contain cyanogenic glycosides and are poisonous raw.

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 Pará rubber tree

No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and high water.

See Pará rubber tree in a botanical garden

It grows in these sample gardens, which you can walk through in 3D:

Questions about Pará rubber tree

How far apart should I plant Pará rubber tree?
About 7 m (23 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 8–15 m (26–49 ft).
Does Pará rubber tree need full sun?
Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
How much water does Pará rubber tree need?
High water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance low.
How cold-hardy is Pará rubber tree?
It tolerates about 8 °C (46 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 11.
When does Pará rubber tree flower?
From about March for 3–6 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
Is Pará rubber tree poisonous to cats and dogs?
For cats it is mildly toxic; for dogs mildly toxic; for people mildly toxic. Latex can trigger latex allergy; seeds contain cyanogenic glycosides and are poisonous raw.
What grows well with Pará rubber tree?
There is no well-documented companion pairing for Pará rubber tree. 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).

Notes and assumptions

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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