Teak Tectona grandis
Teak (Tectona grandis) is a deciduous perennial tree in the Lamiaceae family, native to Monsoon forests of India, Myanmar, Thailand and Laos. It grows 25–40 m (82–131 ft) tall and 10–15 m (33–49 ft) wide, wants full sun and moderate water, and is hardy to about 2 °C (36 °F). Space plants about 8 m (26 ft) apart.
Plan Teak in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Teak at a glance
| Type | Perennial tree, deciduous |
|---|---|
| Family | Lamiaceae |
| Mature height | 25–40 m (82–131 ft) |
| Mature spread | 10–15 m (33–49 ft) |
| Spacing | 8 m (26 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 7 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance moderate, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 6–8 |
| Cold hardiness | About 2 °C (36 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 10) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 44 °C (111 °F) |
| Flowering | from about June for 6–11 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Monsoon forests of India, Myanmar, Thailand and Laos |
| Common in gardens of | 🇹🇭 Thailand, 🇸🇬 Singapore |
Is Teak toxic?
- People: mildly toxic
- Cats: not well documented
- Dogs: not well documented
- Parts: sawdust
Sawdust is a skin and respiratory sensitiser.
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 Teak
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and moderate water.
See Teak in a botanical garden
It grows in this sample garden, which you can walk through in 3D:
- Na ʻĀina Kai Botanical Gardens (5 plants)
Questions about Teak
- How far apart should I plant Teak?
- About 8 m (26 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 10–15 m (33–49 ft).
- Does Teak need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 7 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Teak need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is moderate and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Teak?
- It tolerates about 2 °C (36 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 10.
- When does Teak flower?
- From about June for 6–11 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Teak poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not well documented; for dogs not well documented; for people mildly toxic. Sawdust is a skin and respiratory sensitiser.
- What grows well with Teak?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Teak. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- CABI Invasive Species Compendium, CABI
- Plant database and Hawaiian native plants, National Tropical Botanical Garden (Kauaʻi)
Notes and assumptions
- Tropical: outdoors only where frost never occurs; elsewhere under heated glass.
- Huge sandpapery leaves; drops its leaves in the dry season. Na ʻĀina Kai grows a tropical hardwood plantation of teak and mahogany.
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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