How far apart should I plant Tamarind?

About 10 m (33 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 7–12 m (23–39 ft).

Does Tamarind need full sun?

Full sun: at least 8 hours of direct sun a day.

How much water does Tamarind need?

Low water. Drought tolerance is high and waterlogging tolerance low.

How cold-hardy is Tamarind?

It tolerates about -2 °C (28 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 9.

When does Tamarind flower?

From about May for 9–17 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).

Is Tamarind 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. The pulp is safe in food amounts; ASPCA and poison references list no toxicity, though large amounts are a laxative.

What grows well with Tamarind?

"Three sisters": climbing beans use corn as a support and fix nitrogen; the benefit to the corn is modest but real in low-input soils.

Tamarind Tamarindus indica

Tamarind (Tamarindus indica) is an evergreen perennial tree in the Fabaceae family, native to Tropical Africa (Sudan and the Sahel); naturalised across the tropics. It grows 8–15 m (26–49 ft) tall and 7–12 m (23–39 ft) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about -2 °C (28 °F). Space plants about 10 m (33 ft) apart.

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

Tamarind at a glance

Type	Perennial tree, evergreen
Family	Fabaceae
Mature height	8–15 m (26–49 ft)
Mature spread	7–12 m (23–39 ft)
Spacing	10 m (33 ft) centre to centre
Sun	Full sun, at least 8 h of direct sun a day
Water	Low; drought tolerance high, waterlogging tolerance low
Soil pH	5.5–8
Cold hardiness	About -2 °C (28 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 9)
Heat stress	Likely above about 42 °C (108 °F)
Flowering	from about May for 9–17 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones)
Wind tolerance	High
Pollinator value	Moderate
Edible	Yes: pod pulp, young leaves, flowers, roasted seeds
Native to	Tropical Africa (Sudan and the Sahel); naturalised across the tropics
Common in gardens of	🇹🇭 Thailand, 🇲🇽 Mexico, 🇮🇳 India

Is Tamarind toxic?

People: not known to be toxic
Cats: not known to be toxic
Dogs: not known to be toxic

The pulp is safe in food amounts; ASPCA and poison references list no toxicity, though large amounts are a laxative.

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 Tamarind

Good neighbours

good With Sweet corn: "Three sisters": climbing beans use corn as a support and fix nitrogen; the benefit to the corn is modest but real in low-input soils. Evidence C

Keep apart or take care

caution With Alliums (onion family): Onions, garlic and leeks are said to stunt beans and peas (allium root exudates may reduce nodulation). Traditional companion-planting advice; controlled trials are few, so treat it as a soft preference. Evidence D
caution With Alliums (onion family): Beans and peas are traditionally kept away from onions, garlic and leeks. Traditional companion-planting advice; controlled trials are few, so treat it as a soft preference. Evidence D
caution With Fennel: Fennel is reported to suppress beans and peas growing next to it. Evidence C

Questions about Tamarind

How far apart should I plant Tamarind?: About 10 m (33 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 7–12 m (23–39 ft).
Does Tamarind need full sun?: Full sun: at least 8 hours of direct sun a day.
How much water does Tamarind need?: Low water. Drought tolerance is high and waterlogging tolerance low.
How cold-hardy is Tamarind?: It tolerates about -2 °C (28 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 9.
When does Tamarind flower?: From about May for 9–17 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
Is Tamarind 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. The pulp is safe in food amounts; ASPCA and poison references list no toxicity, though large amounts are a laxative.
What grows well with Tamarind?: "Three sisters": climbing beans use corn as a support and fix nitrogen; the benefit to the corn is modest but real in low-input soils.

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
CABI Invasive Species Compendium, CABI

Notes and assumptions

Very slow growing and long-lived; grafted trees fruit in 3–5 years, seedlings in 8–12. Wood tolerates hurricanes well. Semi-evergreen: it may thin its canopy in a prolonged dry or cool season. Young trees are frost-tender.
Pods ripen in the dry season after the bloom year; the harvest GDD is the sum for the following winter.

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

Bush bean Phaseolus vulgaris
Garden pea Pisum sativum
Sweet pea Lathyrus odoratus
Runner bean Phaseolus coccineus
Broad bean (fava) Vicia faba
Lima bean Phaseolus lunatus
Cowpea (black-eyed pea) Vigna unguiculata
Yardlong bean Vigna unguiculata subsp. sesquipedalis