Indian sandalwood Santalum album
Indian sandalwood (Santalum album) is an evergreen perennial tree in the Santalaceae family, native to Southern India, Indonesia and northern Australia. It grows 4–12 m (13–39 ft) tall and 3–6 m (10–20 ft) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about 0 °C (32 °F). Space plants about 5 m (16 ft) apart.
Plan Indian sandalwood in your garden →
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Indian sandalwood at a glance
| Type | Perennial tree, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Santalaceae |
| Mature height | 4–12 m (13–39 ft) |
| Mature spread | 3–6 m (10–20 ft) |
| Spacing | 5 m (16 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance high, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 6–7.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About 0 °C (32 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 10) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 42 °C (108 °F) |
| Flowering | from about March for 9–17 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Southern India, Indonesia and northern Australia |
| Common in gardens of | 🇮🇳 India, 🇮🇩 Indonesia |
Is Indian sandalwood toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not well documented
- Dogs: not well documented
Not reported as toxic to people; effects on cats and dogs are not documented.
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 Indian sandalwood
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and low water.
Questions about Indian sandalwood
- How far apart should I plant Indian sandalwood?
- About 5 m (16 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 3–6 m (10–20 ft).
- Does Indian sandalwood need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Indian sandalwood need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is high and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Indian sandalwood?
- It tolerates about 0 °C (32 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 10.
- When does Indian sandalwood flower?
- From about March for 9–17 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Indian sandalwood poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not well documented; for dogs not well documented; for people not known to be toxic. Not reported as toxic to people; effects on cats and dogs are not documented.
- What grows well with Indian sandalwood?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Indian sandalwood. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (low).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, IUCN
- India Biodiversity Portal (species pages), India Biodiversity Portal
Notes and assumptions
- A root hemiparasite: it needs host plants nearby (plant with a legume host). Listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN; harvest is regulated in India.
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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