Simpoh air Dillenia suffruticosa
Simpoh air (Dillenia suffruticosa) is an evergreen perennial shrub in the Dilleniaceae family, native to Western Malesia, including Singapore (secondary forest, swampy open ground). It grows 2–6 m (6.6–20 ft) tall and 3–5 m (10–16 ft) wide, wants full sun and high water, and is hardy to about 10 °C (50 °F). Space plants about 3 m (10 ft) apart.
Plan Simpoh air in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Simpoh air at a glance
| Type | Perennial shrub, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Dilleniaceae |
| Mature height | 2–6 m (6.6–20 ft) |
| Mature spread | 3–5 m (10–16 ft) |
| Spacing | 3 m (10 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 5 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | High; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance high |
| Soil pH | 4–6.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About 10 °C (50 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 12) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 38 °C (100 °F) |
| Flowering | from about January for 43–52 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Western Malesia, including Singapore (secondary forest, swampy open ground) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇸🇬 Singapore, 🇹🇭 Thailand |
| Invasive in | Sri Lanka: check local rules before planting |
Is Simpoh air 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 Simpoh air
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and high water.
See Simpoh air in a botanical garden
It grows in this sample garden, which you can walk through in 3D:
- Singapore Botanic Gardens (3 plants)
Questions about Simpoh air
- How far apart should I plant Simpoh air?
- About 3 m (10 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 3–5 m (10–16 ft).
- Does Simpoh air need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 5 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Simpoh air need?
- High water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance high.
- How cold-hardy is Simpoh air?
- It tolerates about 10 °C (50 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 12.
- When does Simpoh air flower?
- From about January for 43–52 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Simpoh air 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 Simpoh air?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Simpoh air. 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).
- Flora & Fauna Web, National Parks Board, Singapore
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- CABI Invasive Species Compendium, CABI
Notes and assumptions
- Tropical lowland plant: outdoors only where it never frosts (as in Singapore); elsewhere it needs a heated glasshouse.
- A pioneer of wet, disturbed ground; large yellow flowers open for one day; the red fruit splits into a star showing seeds with red arils, eaten by birds. The huge leaves were used to wrap food.
- Typical garden-form values; cultivars and local conditions differ.
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
- Snake vine (climbing guinea flower) Hibbertia scandens
- Bigleaf hydrangea Hydrangea macrophylla
- Rhododendron Rhododendron
- Boxwood Buxus sempervirens
- Oleander Nerium oleander
- Common ninebark Physocarpus opulifolius
- Camellia Camellia japonica
- Gardenia Gardenia jasminoides