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Plant care

Pedalai (Hairy-fruited Breadfruit) care

Artocarpus sericicarpus

Also called Pedalai, Hairy-fruited Breadfruit.

RHS H1aUSDA 12Pet-safeIndoor 10–20 m tall (33–65 ft) in native habitat

Watering rhythm

Direct sun (at least 4-6 hours)

Water 3–4 times per week for young trees; established trees in ground need weekly deep irrigation supplemented by natural rainfall.

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Light

Direct sun (at least 4-6 hours)

Soil

Deep, rich, well-drained tropical loam or clay-loam with high organic matter (pH 5.5–6.5).

Humidity

70–90% RH

Temp

22–38°C

Pet safety

Pet-safe

Mature size

10–20 m tall (33–65 ft) in native habitat

Care at a glance

Light

Pedalai needs sun on the leaves, not just bright ambient room light. Thrives in full tropical sun. In native lowland Bornean dipterocarp forest margins it grows in gaps and edges where full light is available. Container specimens in glasshouses should receive maximum available light. Insufficient light causes slow growth and no fruit production. A south or west-facing windowsill in the northern hemisphere is the default; anywhere else, expect the plant to stretch and pale out within a season.

Watering

Water pedalai water 3–4 times per week for young trees; established trees in ground need weekly deep irrigation supplemented by natural rainfall.. The actual day count varies with pot size, light, and season — the finger test (or lifting the pot to feel its weight) is more reliable than a fixed calendar. Empty any drainage saucer afterwards so the pot isn't sitting in water. As a lowland tropical rainforest species it expects consistent, high rainfall — typically 2,000–3,000 mm per year in its native range. Soil should remain moist but never waterlogged. In cultivation outside the humid tropics, drip irrigation with a thick mulch layer is essential. Drought during fruit development causes shriveled, poor-quality fruit.

Soil and pot

Pedalai grows best in deep, rich, well-drained tropical loam or clay-loam with high organic matter (ph 5.5–6.5).. Native to the deep, humus-rich, lateritic soils of Bornean lowland rainforest. Amend planting sites extensively with compost and well-rotted manure. Good drainage is critical despite the high moisture requirement — the tree needs moist soil, not standing water. Raised planting mounds help in low-lying sites. A pot with a working drainage hole is non-negotiable for this species — even free-draining mix will turn soggy in a closed planter. If you love the look of a decorative pot without a hole, use it as a cachepot around an inner nursery pot you can lift out to water.

Humidity and temperature

Pedalai sits happiest at around 70–90% RH humidity and 22–38°C (72–100°F). Among the most humidity-demanding Artocarpus species, reflecting its origin in one of the world's most humid forest environments. Outside equatorial climates it is challenging to grow well without greenhouse conditions that can maintain high humidity year-round. Regular misting of foliage during establishment helps in drier climates. If you keep the room above 22–38°C year-round and avoid placing the plant near a cold draught, a hot radiator, or an air-conditioning vent, you have already handled the two biggest indoor stressors.

Fertilising

Feed pedalai sparingly. Apply a high-quality balanced tropical fruit fertiliser (e.g. 10-10-10 with micronutrients) three times per year. During the main growth flush, supplement monthly with a liquid seaweed and fish emulsion blend. Given the species' rarity in cultivation, err on the side of organic, slow-release nutrition to avoid salt buildup around the sensitive root system. Skip fertiliser entirely on a stressed, recently-repotted, or actively wilting plant — fertiliser salts make damage worse, not better. Wait for a round of healthy new growth before resuming a feeding rhythm.

Common problems

Below are the issues we see most often on pedalai in the Growli community. Each is annotated with the most common cause so you know where to start.

  • Extreme rarity in cultivation — Pedalai is very rarely available outside specialist tropical fruit collections. Sourcing seeds or seedlings requires contact with botanical gardens, rare fruit networks (RFCI, CRFG), or Bornean nurseries. Most growers propagate from seed obtained through seed exchanges.
  • Cold sensitivity and chilling injury — Even brief exposure to temperatures below 15°C (59°F) causes leaf bronzing, defoliation, and tip dieback. It is strictly a lowland equatorial species with virtually no cold tolerance. In subtropical climates, grow only under heated glass with a minimum night temperature of 18°C (64°F).
  • Fruit bat and wildlife damage — Large, aromatic fruits are highly attractive to fruit bats and large birds, which can take entire crops in their native range. In garden cultivation protective netting around maturing fruit clusters is advisable. Harvest at the first sign of full color change before nocturnal wildlife discovers the crop.

Propagation

Propagate from fresh, recalcitrant seed — sow immediately after extraction from ripe fruit in a moist, rich tropical seedling mix at 27–32°C (81–90°F). Germination takes 2–4 weeks. Seeds cannot be dried or stored; they die within days of desiccation. Vegetative propagation data is scarce given the species' rarity, but cuttings and grafting onto Artocarpus integer (chempedak) rootstocks are reported by specialist growers. Propagation is the cheapest, most satisfying way to expand a collection — and it doubles as insurance against losing a mature plant to an accident. Take a backup cutting once the parent is established and healthy.

Toxicity to pets

Pedalai is pet-safe. Artocarpus sericicarpus (Moraceae) is not listed by ASPCA. As with other Artocarpus species, the latex sap may cause mild skin irritation on direct contact, but no systemic toxic principles are documented. The fruits are consumed by humans and forest wildlife in Borneo without reported toxicity. If you keep cats, dogs, or curious children in the house, weigh placement carefully — a high shelf or a hanging planter is enough for casual safety. For severe ingestion incidents, call your local vet and the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (in the US, 888-426-4435).

Pet-safety status is sourced from the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, which catalogues the most-asked-about plants for cats, dogs, and horses.

Pedalai care — frequently asked questions

What is the common name for Artocarpus sericicarpus?

Artocarpus sericicarpus is most commonly called Pedalai, but it is also known as Pedalai, Hairy-fruited Breadfruit. The names refer to the same species, so care instructions for Pedalai apply identically to anything sold as Hairy-fruited Breadfruit.

How much light does pedalai need?

Pedalai grows best in direct sun (at least 4-6 hours). Thrives in full tropical sun. In native lowland Bornean dipterocarp forest margins it grows in gaps and edges where full light is available. Container specimens in glasshouses should receive maximum available light. Insufficient light causes slow growth and no fruit production.

How often should I water pedalai?

Water pedalai water 3–4 times per week for young trees; established trees in ground need weekly deep irrigation supplemented by natural rainfall.. As a lowland tropical rainforest species it expects consistent, high rainfall — typically 2,000–3,000 mm per year in its native range. Soil should remain moist but never waterlogged. In cultivation outside the humid tropics, drip irrigation with a thick mulch layer is essential. Drought during fruit development causes shriveled, poor-quality fruit. The finger-test (or lifting the pot to feel its weight) beats a fixed weekly calendar because pot size, light, and season all change how fast the soil dries.

Is pedalai toxic to cats and dogs?

Pedalai is pet-safe. Artocarpus sericicarpus (Moraceae) is not listed by ASPCA. As with other Artocarpus species, the latex sap may cause mild skin irritation on direct contact, but no systemic toxic principles are documented. The fruits are consumed by humans and forest wildlife in Borneo without reported toxicity.

What USDA hardiness zone does pedalai grow in?

Pedalai is rated for USDA zone 12 and RHS hardiness H1a. Outside that range, grow it as a container plant that overwinters indoors before the first hard frost.

Pedalai deep-dive guides

Every aspect of pedalai care, each with its own calibrated guide:

Featured in these plant shortlists

Pedalai qualifies for 9 curated Growli shortlists — each one filtered objectively from our structured plant-care library, so the selection is consistent and checkable:

Related guides

Pedalai is also commonly called Pedalai or Hairy-fruited Breadfruit.