Manila Tamarind, Camachile (Pithecellobium dulce)
Regular price $19.95Manila Tamarind is a really interesting looking medium-sized evergreen leguminous tree in the pea family. The fruits, or bean pods, are rich in Vitamin C. They're bright pink in color, can be eaten fresh, and are often made into a sweet start drink similar to lemonade. The plant is Nitrogen fixing, drought tolerant, salt tolerant, and can grow in most types of soil. It's native India, and the Pacific Coast and adjacent highlands of Mexico, Central America, and northern South America.
Plant Type:
Evergreen Fruiting Tree
Harvest Season:
Spring
Soil & Moisture:
Rich, well-draining soil.
Salt tolerant.
Light Requirements:
Full Sun
Self-Fertile:
Yes
Growth Rate:
Fast
Zone Hardiness:
Outdoors 10a-11 with frost protection; Patio/Greenhouse 4+
Propagation:
Our Manila Tamarind is grown from seed, capable of harvest within 1-2 years.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Botanical Name | Tamarindus indica |
| Common Names | Tamarind, Tart Tamarind |
| Family | Fabaceae |
| Origin | Tropical Africa |
| Plant Type | Tropical/Subtropical Evergreen Fruit Tree |
| Life Cycle | Perennial Evergreen |
| Mature Size | 30+ ft.; can take excessive pruning in the summer; prized Bonsai specimen |
| Light | Full Sun, Part Shade |
| Water Needs | Moderate; drought-tolerant once established |
| Soil | Rich, well-draining soil; tolerates a wide diversity of soil types, rocky land, porous limestone, and salt spray |
| Bloom Time | Summer in Florida, Central America, and the West Indies |
| Flower Color | Red and Yellow |
| USDA Zones | Outdoors 9–11 with frost protection; Patio/Greenhouse 4+ |
| Florida Native | No |
| Propagation | Medium: Seed; XL: Grafted or Air-Layered |
| Seasonal Traits | Evergreen |
| Self-Fertile | Yes |
| Growth Rate | Slow, Medium |
| Harvest Season | Spring, Summer |
| Time to Harvest | Medium: capable of producing fruit within 3–4 years; XL: capable of blooming and producing fruit now |
| Fruit Production | A mature tree may annually produce 330–500 fruits |
| Fruit Ripening | In Florida, Central America, and the West Indies, ripening takes place from April through June; fruits may be left on the tree for up to 6 months after maturity to reduce moisture content to 20% or lower |
| Cold Hardiness | Very young trees should be protected from cold; older tree |
Wondering about your USDA Growing Zone and what you can grow? 🌎🌿 Learn how to find your Zone and grow tropical plants anywhere—Florida to Alaska! 👉 Read the full blog here!
We ship every plant plastic-free and planet-friendly—using compostable packaging, recyclable pots, and carbon-conscious shipping from start to finish. 🌎🌱👉 Our Commitment to Packaging & Shipping Sustainability
