Tamarind 'Thai Sweet' (Tamarindus indica)
Regular price $99.95Grafted and flowering. Capable of producing fruit.
Sweet tamarind, or Makham Wan, is a rare Thai relative to the sour, traditional Tamarind and only grows in a handful of small regions. It is coveted for its sweet flavor and celebrated annually throughout its native providences. Phetchabun and Loei host fairs for the harvest and sell Sweet Tamarind in delicate netting for holiday gift giving.
Sweet Tamarind can adapt to a wide range of growing conditions and grows exceedingly well and effortlessly in Florida, especially in the south. Sweet Tamarind is a leguminous tree native to tropical Africa. Sweet Tamarind trees can obtain impressive heights, reaching anywhere from 30-80 feet tall in the right habitat. However, Sweet Tamarind trees are also highly prized Bonsai specimen and can be pruned and maintained at impressively small sizes as well.
Sweet Tamarind fruit is actually a long seedpod that can grow to be 12 inches in length. The pulp within the seedpod is tangy and sweet. It is popularly used to make chutneys (yum!), candies, salsas, sauces, flavor cocktails, etc. Sweet Tamarinds are available at markets in both sweet and tart varieties, but are fairly expensive supermarket items. Grow your own Tamarind trees and enjoy your own bounty of deliciously tart Tamarinds each season.
| 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
