Salak (snake fruit) Salacca zalacca
Salak (snake fruit) (Salacca zalacca) is an evergreen perennial fruit plant in the Arecaceae family, native to Java and Sumatra. It grows 2–5 m (6.6–16 ft) tall and 2–4 m (6.6–13 ft) wide, wants part sun to part shade and high water, and is hardy to about 15 °C (59 °F). Space plants about 2.5 m (8.2 ft) apart.
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Salak (snake fruit) at a glance
| Type | Perennial fruit plant, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Arecaceae |
| Mature height | 2–5 m (6.6–16 ft) |
| Mature spread | 2–4 m (6.6–13 ft) |
| Spacing | 2.5 m (8.2 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Part sun to part shade, at least 3 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | High; drought tolerance none, waterlogging tolerance low |
| Soil pH | 5–6.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About 15 °C (59 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 12) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 36 °C (97 °F) |
| Flowering | about 156–209 weeks after planting, for 9–17 weeks |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | Low |
| Edible | Yes: fruit (sweet-sour lobes under scaly skin) |
| Native to | Java and Sumatra |
| Common in gardens of | 🇮🇩 Indonesia, 🇲🇾 Malaysia, 🇹🇭 Thailand |
Is Salak (snake fruit) toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: mildly toxic
- Dogs: mildly toxic
- Parts: spines
Leaf stalks bristle with long spines.
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 Salak (snake fruit)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like part sun to part shade and high water.
Questions about Salak (snake fruit)
- How far apart should I plant Salak (snake fruit)?
- About 2.5 m (8.2 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 2–4 m (6.6–13 ft).
- Does Salak (snake fruit) need full sun?
- Part sun to part shade: at least 3 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Salak (snake fruit) need?
- High water. Drought tolerance is none and waterlogging tolerance low.
- How cold-hardy is Salak (snake fruit)?
- It tolerates about 15 °C (59 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 12.
- When does Salak (snake fruit) flower?
- About 156–209 weeks after planting, for 9–17 weeks.
- Is Salak (snake fruit) poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is mildly toxic; for dogs mildly toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Leaf stalks bristle with long spines.
- What grows well with Salak (snake fruit)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Salak (snake fruit). Group it with plants that like the same sun (part sun to part shade) 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
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Notes and assumptions
- A stemless clumping palm grown under shade trees; fruit has reddish-brown snakeskin scales. Male and female plants (hand-pollinated).
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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- Mexican fan palm Washingtonia robusta
- African oil palm Elaeis guineensis
- Areca palm (golden cane palm) Dypsis lutescens
- Chilean wine palm Jubaea chilensis
- Joey palm Johannesteijsmannia altifrons