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Elephant apple

Dillenia indica
Medicinal value3
Tree30×8.5 mzone 9–11full sun

Will it grow where I live?

Elephant apple is not winter-hardy in Central Europe (zone 9): outdoors from spring to autumn only, otherwise a container plant overwintered frost-free. The summer heat it needs to ripen is out of reach outdoors in Central Europe – greenhouse or conservatory.

Or check it for your location right here:

Winter hardiness by USDA zone, summer warmth by heat sum – the same values the app and the plant finder use.

Profile

Family
Dilleniaceae
Habit
Tree
Height
30 m
Spread
8.5 m
Growth
medium
Lifespan
80 years
First yield
after 6 years
Hardiness
zone 9–11
Shade tolerance
full sun
Soil
Sand, Silt, Loam, Clay
Soil moisture
semi-dry – very moist
pH
5.5 – 7
evergreen

Uses

Medicinal3 of 10

Frequently asked questions

Elephant apple: how big does it get?

Elephant apple (Dillenia indica) grows as a Tree and reaches roughly 30 m in height when mature, with a spread of about 8.5 m. Growth is medium.

Elephant apple: what site does it need?

Elephant apple tolerates full sun. Suitable soils are Sand, Silt, Loam, Clay. Soil moisture should be in the range semi-dry – very moist. The pH may lie between 5.5 and 7.

Elephant apple: is it hardy?

Elephant apple is listed as hardy in zone 9–11 and survives normal winters outdoors there.

Elephant apple: will it grow in Central Europe?

Elephant apple is not winter-hardy in Central Europe (zone 9): outdoors from spring to autumn only, otherwise a container plant overwintered frost-free. The summer heat it needs to ripen is out of reach outdoors in Central Europe – greenhouse or conservatory.

Elephant apple: is it poisonous?

No toxicity is recorded for Elephant apple. With wild plants, never rely on a database alone — only on a confident identification.

Elephant apple: what is it used for?

Rated on a scale up to 10: Medicinal 3/10.

Community experience

No first-hand reports for this plant yet.

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