Artocarpus heterophyllus Seeds | Jackfruit
LATIN NAME: Artocarpus heterophyllus
COMMON NAME: Jackfruit
Plant Profile
A distinctive member of its genus, Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus) is a tall, handsome, evergreen tree. Jackfruit is giant of warm-climate fruit trees. Ripe fruits open to sweet, golden, fragrant pulp around smooth, brown seeds. Tree is a fine, generous, long-lived addition to warm, humid, sheltered garden. In combination, these characteristics make a persuasive case for growing it.
Science & Biotechnology
The species features in the wider study of the Artocarpus group, and its traits make it a useful subject for work on germination biology, cultivation and ornamental selection. Jackfruit holds a steady position in plant science, and tree has been studied for enormous fruits and curious way flower heads open on trunk and older branches. For practical purposes the message is encouraging: generations of cultivation have produced plants of predictable, well-mannered garden character.
Uses & Benefits
In the garden, Jackfruit earns its place in borders, containers and mixed plantings, and it also rewards growers who raise plants for cutting, drying or kitchen use. Jackfruit pays its way in more ways than one. Enormous, fragrant fruits are eaten fresh and cooked in regions where tree grows, and smooth, brown seeds are boiled or roasted as a fine, starchy food. It is a fine, generous, long-lived tree of warm, humid, sheltered garden, and it is one of great fruit trees of warm world. Routine care after establishment is refreshingly light.
Breadfruit and jackfruit are tropical superfood trees: breadfruit is a complete staple starch, jackfruit the largest tree fruit on Earth and a famous meat analogue, and both are rich in fiber and potassium.
Growing from Seed
Jackfruit grows readily from seed. Sow the seeds evenly over the surface and cover lightly in a loose, well-drained seed compost, keep the sowing evenly moist, and give the pot or tray bright light. Shift the seedlings into small pots as soon as they can be handled, and give them bright light until planting-out time.
Our Take
The traditional uses covered above are what first made this species worth cultivating. Part of this plant’s appeal is the long practical history summarized above. In a sunny, freely drained position it needs little looking after.
Related Reading
Gardeners who grow Jackfruit often pair it with these related subjects: