Rambutan Nephelium lappaceum
Rambutan (Nephelium lappaceum) is an evergreen perennial fruit plant in the Sapindaceae family, native to Malay Archipelago (Malaysia and Indonesia). It grows 5–10 m (16–33 ft) tall and 5–8 m (16–26 ft) wide, wants full sun and high water, and is hardy to about 5 °C (41 °F). Space plants about 8 m (26 ft) apart.
Plan Rambutan in your garden →
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Rambutan at a glance
| Type | Perennial fruit plant, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Sapindaceae |
| Mature height | 5–10 m (16–33 ft) |
| Mature spread | 5–8 m (16–26 ft) |
| Spacing | 8 m (26 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | High; drought tolerance none, waterlogging tolerance low |
| Soil pH | 5–6.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About 5 °C (41 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 11) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 38 °C (100 °F) |
| Flowering | about 156–209 weeks after planting, for 3–6 weeks |
| Wind tolerance | None |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Yes: fruit aril |
| Native to | Malay Archipelago (Malaysia and Indonesia) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇹🇭 Thailand, 🇸🇬 Singapore, 🇮🇩 Indonesia, 🇲🇾 Malaysia |
Is Rambutan toxic?
- People: mildly toxic
- Cats: not well documented
- Dogs: not well documented
- Parts: seeds, peel
Raw seeds are mildly toxic and are not eaten; the ripe aril is safe.
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 Rambutan
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and high water.
Questions about Rambutan
- How far apart should I plant Rambutan?
- About 8 m (26 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 5–8 m (16–26 ft).
- Does Rambutan need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Rambutan need?
- High water. Drought tolerance is none and waterlogging tolerance low.
- How cold-hardy is Rambutan?
- It tolerates about 5 °C (41 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 11.
- When does Rambutan flower?
- About 156–209 weeks after planting, for 3–6 weeks.
- Is Rambutan poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not well documented; for dogs not well documented; for people mildly toxic. Raw seeds are mildly toxic and are not eaten; the ripe aril is safe.
- What grows well with Rambutan?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Rambutan. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (high).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade C (C: plausible, mixed evidence).
- UF/IFAS Extension tropical and subtropical fruit and landscape publications, University of Florida
- EcoCrop crop environmental requirements, FAO
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Notes and assumptions
- Strictly tropical (zone 11): leaves are injured below about 7 °C and trees die near freezing. Needs humidity and shelter from wind. Many cultivars have functionally male or female flowers, so a mixed planting or grafted hermaphrodite type is needed.
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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