Wax apple (chomphu) Syzygium samarangense
Wax apple (chomphu) (Syzygium samarangense) is an evergreen perennial fruit plant in the Myrtaceae family, native to Malay Peninsula and Indonesia. It grows 5–12 m (16–39 ft) tall and 4–8 m (13–26 ft) wide, wants full sun and high water, and is hardy to about 5 °C (41 °F). Space plants about 6 m (20 ft) apart.
Plan Wax apple (chomphu) in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Wax apple (chomphu) at a glance
| Type | Perennial fruit plant, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Myrtaceae |
| Mature height | 5–12 m (16–39 ft) |
| Mature spread | 4–8 m (13–26 ft) |
| Spacing | 6 m (20 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 7 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | High; drought tolerance none, waterlogging tolerance moderate |
| Soil pH | 5–7 |
| Cold hardiness | About 5 °C (41 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 11) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 40 °C (104 °F) |
| Flowering | about 156–209 weeks after planting, for 3–6 weeks |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Yes: fruit |
| Native to | Malay Peninsula and Indonesia |
| Common in gardens of | 🇹🇭 Thailand, 🇻🇳 Vietnam, 🇮🇩 Indonesia, 🇲🇾 Malaysia, 🇵🇭 Philippines, 🇸🇬 Singapore, 🇨🇳 China |
Is Wax apple (chomphu) toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
No toxicity reported in standard 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 Wax apple (chomphu)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and high water.
Keep apart or take care
- caution With Guava: Myrtle rust (Austropuccinia psidii) infects guava, feijoa, Surinam cherry and many other Myrtaceae; it spreads by airborne spores between them. Evidence B
Questions about Wax apple (chomphu)
- How far apart should I plant Wax apple (chomphu)?
- About 6 m (20 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 4–8 m (13–26 ft).
- Does Wax apple (chomphu) need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 7 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Wax apple (chomphu) need?
- High water. Drought tolerance is none and waterlogging tolerance moderate.
- How cold-hardy is Wax apple (chomphu)?
- It tolerates about 5 °C (41 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 11.
- When does Wax apple (chomphu) flower?
- About 156–209 weeks after planting, for 3–6 weeks.
- Is Wax apple (chomphu) 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 standard references.
- What grows well with Wax apple (chomphu)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Wax apple (chomphu). 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).
- UF/IFAS Extension tropical and subtropical fruit and landscape publications, University of Florida
- Flora & Fauna Web, National Parks Board, Singapore
- GRIN-Global Taxonomy, USDA ARS
Notes and assumptions
- Crisp, watery, bell-shaped fruit in glossy red, pink or green; Thai and Taiwanese growers bag the fruit on the tree.
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
- Lemon myrtle Backhousia citriodora
- Guava Psidium guajava
- Feijoa Acca sellowiana
- Surinam cherry (pitanga) Eugenia uniflora
- Cider gum (eucalyptus) Eucalyptus gunnii
- Lilly pilly Syzygium smithii
- Crimson bottlebrush Melaleuca citrina
- Mānuka (tea tree) Leptospermum scoparium