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Jackfruit Growing Zone [2024 Planting Ideas]

Jackfruit gives big fleshy fruit in southern Texas, but the result is not satisfying while growing in the north Texas and lower USDA zone.

Generally, Jackfruit is a warmth-loving plant hardy from zone 10-11. Here the winter is relatively mild and frost free, suitable for Jackfruit to germinate, grow, and produce flowers and fruits.

But, you can help Jackfruit grow faster in different USDA zones with proper care tips.

All About Jackfruit!

Native to the Rainforest of Southeast Asia, the Jackfruit (Artocarpus Heterophyllus) is the largest fruit in the World produced by a tree.

Generally, Jackfruit thrives in the warm temperature of 70 to 90°F and is best planted in the spring.
You may think of planting it late in the season, but Jackfruit is a cold-sensitive plant and does not survive the harsh winter.

After germination, the seedling stage of this giant tree lasts for 2-3 years, mostly focusing on solid root systems and vegetative growth.

It may take 1-2 more years for the tree to mature, grow 50-80 meters tall, and have a dense canopy of 7 to 12 meters. This is when you can expect the tree to flower and produce edible fruit.

Taking about the fruit, the stringy yellow endocarp is covered by a thick, bumpy green rind exterior. You can eat this nutrient bonanza (rich in vitamin C, A, riboflavin, etc.) either raw or cooked.

An open jackfruit with three jackfruit in the tree.
Jackfruit is easy to open and has a sweet umami taste.

Further, being a large plant, you must give at least 18-20 feet of space around each Jackfruit for better growth.

However, the dwarf variety of Jackfruit, like the Golden Nugget, with a height and spread of 1.5 to 2.5 m, requires lesser spacing, i.e., 10-15 feet apart.

Having a Jackfruit plant indoors is still difficult, as container growing would not favor root development.

Eventually, the plant has to compromise for nutrients and space, with most importantly, the 6 hours of direct sunlight leading to low to no flowers and fruits.

Jackfruit Tree Growing Zone

Jackfruit mainly grows in tropical and subtropical regions of the world and warm and humid zones of the U.S.

Typically Jackfruit is hardy in the USDA Zone 10 and Zone 11, where the minimum average temperature is 30 to 40°F. Here the winter is relatively mild and frost free, suitable for Jackfruit to germinate, grow, and produce flowers and fruits.

The hardy zone for year-round growth of Jackfruit includes areas like Florida, Hawaii, and the Southernmost region of Texas.

Here, the risk of freezing temperatures damaging the tree is minimal to none.

Meanwhile, as we move down the lower zone from Zone 9 to 7, the colder climate and shorter growing season delay the flowering of Jackfruit.

A jackfruit just starting to grow from its flower need favorable growing zone
Due to late flowering, the fruit cannot attain proper size and maturity, lowering the overall yield of the tree. 

Hence, you have to use winter protections like burlap to ensure the safety of your plant against frost to grow them in zone 7 to 9.

But from zone 6 and below, growing a Jackfruit tree is almost impossible as the plant (especially seedlings) fails to endure the frost injuries. 

With the first frost, the leaves and branches of Jackfruit start wilting and shrivelling.

The leaves get brown and black blotches around the edge after prolonged winter exposure. Simultaneously the roots freeze, and the entire plant dies from winter stress.

How To Grow Jackfruit Tree Faster?

Both grafting and budding allow the propagation of Jackfruit with specific desired traits like disease resistance or superior fruit quality.

And this method can accelerate the time to fruiting compared to seed grown once.

While growing Jackfruits from seed can take several years, with a relatively low chance of getting a healthy fruiting tree.

Nevertheless, here are a few tried and tested tips for a healthy Jackfruit.

  • Plant the Jackfruit seedling in an area receiving 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily.
  • Mount the soil around the base of the Jackfruit seedlings to help drain off the excess water.
  • Maintain sufficient distance between the plants to help proper root growth and spread.
  • Deep water the newly planted Jackfruit at least twice weekly to help the tree establish its root system. Then water the Jackfruit plants when the soil feels 1-2 inches dry. 
  • Fertilize your tree every six months for the first 2-3 years with 15:15:15 NPK fertilizer to boost plant growth.
  • Prune the upright older branches in spring or summer to encourage more lateral growth-bearing fruit. This helps you limit vertical growth and keep the tree at a manageable height.

From Editorial Team 

Keep Jackfruit Borer Away!

Jackfruit is pest-resistant, but Jackfruit Borer can be a real menace and do some serious damage.

Use organic pesticides to prevent the borer from taking over the delicious Jackfruit.

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