Rambutan
Nephelium lappaceum
Rambutan is a tropical evergreen tree related to litchi, bearing clusters of red fruit covered in soft spines, with sweet, translucent flesh. It needs a hot, humid climate, such as coastal Kerala and Karnataka.
Photo: Ivar Leidus · CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Essential Care Requirements
Light
Full sun
Watering
High
Keep the soil moist all year; it does not tolerate drought.
Soil
Deep, rich, well-drained, slightly acidic soil; pH 4.5–6.5.
Temperature and humidity
15–35 °C · High humidity
Feeding
Feed with compost and a balanced fertilizer three times a year.
Pruning and propagation
Propagate by grafting, air layering
Prune lightly after harvest to keep the tree low and open.
The flesh is safe. The seed should not be eaten raw.
Top Cultivation Tips
Plant grafted trees of a known female or hermaphrodite variety.
Shelter from strong winds.
Harvest whole clusters when fully red.
Net against birds and bats.
Common problems
Anthracnose
A fungal disease that causes dark, sunken spots on leaves, flowers and fruit, especially mango, chilli and papaya.
How to treat it →PestFruit flies
Flies that lay eggs inside ripening fruit; the maggots rot the fruit from within.
How to treat it →PestMealybugs
White, cottony insects that hide in leaf joints and under leaves, weakening plants and spreading easily to neighbours.
How to treat it →
