Durian
Durio zibethinus
The spiky 'king of fruits' with rich custard flesh and a famous smell; a rainforest giant for the true wet tropics.
Hardiness: zones 11 to 12
Light: full sun
Size: about 100 ft tall, 40 ft wide
Harvest: June to August
From: Borneo and Sumatra
Here: Too tender to overwinter outdoors on the Lake Erie shore (zone 6b to 7a): grow it in a pot and bring it in, or treat it as an annual.
Good for: food, wildlife.
Native to: South & Southeast Asian tropics. Hardy in zones 11 to 12.
The story
Durian comes from the rainforests of Borneo and Sumatra and is loved across Southeast Asia, where orchard owners once waited at night for the ripe fruit to fall. Its smell has it banned from many hotels and trains.
Planting
A hot, humid, frost-free climate with rain most of the year, deep soil and shelter from wind.
Growing
Grafted trees fruit in about seven years. Mulch heavily and keep the roots moist but never flooded.
Harvest and use
The fruit drops when ripe. Split the husk along its seams and eat the soft flesh fresh; the seeds are boiled or roasted.
What to watch for
Root rot in wet soil. Never stand under a tree in season.
See if Durian fits your yard
Free planner: enter your ZIP for frost dates, climate fit and a sowing calendar. No account, no ads, no tracking cookies.
More tropical and subtropical food plants
General guidance, not professional advice. Conditions vary by yard and year; for local specifics ask your county extension office. Never eat a wild plant you cannot identify with certainty. Traditional uses are shared as history, not medical advice. © 2026 Sean Priest · Irie Orchard. Terms & credits · Privacy · Home