Common Names: Rambutan, Hairy Lychee
Rambutan is the ultimate tropical showstopper for a Perth fruit collection. The fruit is famous for its bright red skin covered in soft, fleshy spines that look like hair. Inside, you will find a sweet, juicy, translucent flesh that is similar to a lychee but with a more floral and exotic flavour. It is a prized tree for growers who want a true taste of the tropics in their own backyard.
Features:
Ideal prune height range: 3-5m
pH growing conditions: 5.0 to 6.5
Shade or full sun: High shade/filtered sun in Perth Metro
Minimum pot year 5: 90L pot
Time to fruit age: 3-5 years from grafted specimen
Rambutan trees are evergreen with beautiful, spreading canopies. In WA, they are strictly for the dedicated gardener as they crave high humidity and protection from cold winds and frost. They do best in a large pot or a very sheltered greenhouse-style microclimate. Regular misting and deep watering during our dry summers will help mimic their native rainforest home and keep the foliage lush.
Interesting Notes:
The name comes from the Malay word rambut, which means hair. While they are usually seen in tropical North Queensland, they can be successfully fruited in Perth if given a warm, wind-protected spot with plenty of organic matter. The fruit is high in fibre and vitamin C, making it as healthy as it is striking.
A rare find for any serious rare fruit collector looking to push the boundaries of what can grow in Perth.
Limited stock. Pickup from Parkwood, WA. Delivery to Perth Metro only.
Keywords: Rambutan tree Perth, tropical fruit tree, exotic fruit WA, Nephelium lappaceum, rare fruit collector