Yep – you can grow jackfruit in Florida.
When I was down in Ft. Lauderdale a few weeks ago, I got to talk with my long-time friends Chuck and Sarah – and found out they had planted a Jackfruit tree in their yard a few years back.
After I got home, I asked Chuck if he’d send a few pictures – which he did, along with a few notes on his tree.
Chuck wrote, “I’m sending you several pictures of our tree, though I don’t know much about jackfruit. We planted the tree 4-5 years ago. It was 6 feet tall then. Now it a good 20 feet high. The fruit grows to about the size of watermelons. It is real sticky. The Jamaican women in our church all like it, so we divide the spoils among them. They tell us you need to oil up your hands before cutting in to it. It was too much for Sarah & I, but the tree offers a lot of great shade.”
Therein lies a wonderful truth about fruit trees: if you plant something edible, even if you don’t like it, you’ll still be able to share the bounty with others. Can you say that about an oak or a magnolia or a pine? Nope. The Jamaican ladies at Chuck’s church are getting their socks blessed off them because Chuck and Sarah decided to plant a fruit tree.
I do have some serious growing zone envy looking at these pictures, though. Jackfruit is a completely tropical tree; Ft. Lauderdale is basically the very top of its potential range. When people complain that “nothing grows in Florida,” I want to break their lying teeth (metaphorically speaking, of course). Just because you can’t grow cherries or apples like you had back home… it doesn’t mean NOTHING will grow. Dip into the bounty of the tropics if you’re in zone 10 – it’s a truly abundant vein to mine.
17 responses to “Growing Jackfruit in Florida”
that's a beautiful tree.
it looks like they have a spanish tile roof over a flowerbed. interesting.
My Anna apples are doing well in Plant City, Fl
Excellent! I had one in Ft. Lauderdale but we only got one apple off it. I would try again if I were there, though, and strip the leaves in winter to induce flowering.
Wish I lived closer, would be as happy as those church ladies! I want some jackfruit badly, but it’s so expensive. Sell the fruit make extra $$ just saying. Vegan love it!
Oh yeah.
I just saw the fruit at Kroger in Decatur, Illinois and I’m going to try it. They will cut it for you and sell it for $1.99 a lb.
I also have a home in Fort Myers, Fl. And might try to grow it there.
That’s an incredible price – go for it! And definitely plant them in Ft. Myers. It’s a beautiful and productive tree. So much fun to grow.
How can I buy a jackfruit trees?
Most tropical fruit tree nurseries carry them – depends on your location.
[…] typically grow in tropical and near-tropical conditions, but jackfruits can also be produced in Florida and […]
[…] typically grow in tropical and near-tropical conditions, but jackfruits can also be produced in Florida and […]
[…] typically grow in tropical and near-tropical conditions, but jackfruits can also be produced in Florida, Hawaii, […]
[…] typically grow in tropical and near-tropical conditions, but jackfruits can also be produced in Florida, Hawaii, […]
I was born and raised in the beautiful tropical island of Sri Lanka. I lived there for the first 28 yrs of my life. I had a very close association with the jackfruit tree as jackfruit is the heartbeat of the rural culture of Sri Lanka. My father, who is also a physician wrote a book on this tree. Yes, you need to oil your hands before the play. I highly recommend coconut oil as it adds a beautiful aromatic flavor to the fruit once you mingle with the fruitlets (bulbs or the pips). You can consume this fruit in so many ways. You can boil or cook curry out of both bulbs and the seeds. AMAZING!!! You can also throw the seeds in the BBQ. Be creative! Nothing will go wrong! Have a glass of water next you as you consume the seeds as it can be high in starch. It could irritate your swallowing movement.
I do love the taste of the seeds. Is your dad’s book still in print?
Sorry, but I’m so jealous of your tree, wish I had one. Where did you find it? Would appreicate any feedback as I desperately want to grow it. If you’re giving away the jackfruits, let me know when and I will drive down to get it, please
[…] typically grow in tropical and near-tropical conditions, but they can also be produced in Florida, Hawaii, […]