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Plant care

Terap (Bendo) care

Artocarpus elasticus

Also called Terap, Bendo, Terap Nasi, Togop.

RHS H1aUSDA 10b–12Mildly toxic to petsIndoor Up to 40–45 m tall in the wild

Watering rhythm

3-5days

Every 3–5 days when young; established trees every 7–10 days

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Light

Direct sun (at least 4-6 hours)

Soil

Rich, well-draining loam or sandy loam

Humidity

70–90%

Temp

21–35°C

Pet safety

Mildly toxic to pets

Mature size

Up to 40–45 m tall in the wild

Care at a glance

Light

Terap needs sun on the leaves, not just bright ambient room light. Needs a minimum of 6–8 hours of direct sun daily. Seedlings tolerate brief dappled shade but develop poorly without strong light. In lowland tropical gardens, full open exposure is ideal. 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 terap every 3–5 days when young; established trees every 7–10 days. 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. Requires consistent moisture throughout the growing season, reflecting its rainforest origin. Allow the top 2–3 cm of soil to dry before re-watering. Waterlogged roots cause rapid decline; excellent drainage is essential. During dry spells, deep-water to encourage a deep root system.

Soil and pot

Terap grows best in rich, well-draining loam or sandy loam. Adapts to a range from sandy loam to clay loam as long as drainage is adequate. Prefers a slightly acidic to neutral pH of 5.5–7.0. Incorporate generous organic matter at planting. Avoid compacted or heavy clay soils that retain water around the crown. 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

Terap sits happiest at around 70–90% humidity and 21–35°C (70–95°F). Naturally inhabits humid tropical rainforests and requires persistently high humidity. In drier climates, regular misting or placement near water features helps. Very low ambient humidity causes leaf-edge scorch and slows growth. If you keep the room above 21–35°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 terap sparingly. Apply a balanced slow-release tropical fertilizer (e.g., 10-10-10 NPK) three times per year — at the start of the wet season, mid-season, and post-fruiting. Supplement with compost mulch annually to maintain soil fertility. 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 terap in the Growli community. Each is annotated with the most common cause so you know where to start.

  • Root rot — Caused by waterlogged soil or poor drainage. Symptoms include yellowing foliage, wilting and bark darkening at the base. Ensure free-draining soil and allow the surface to partially dry between waterings.
  • Scale insects — Waxy scale can colonise stems and leaf undersides, causing yellowing and stunted growth. Treat with horticultural oil spray or neem oil, repeating every 2 weeks until controlled.
  • Leaf scorch — Brown, crispy leaf margins appear when humidity drops sharply or cold dry winds blow. Increase ambient humidity and protect from desiccating winds with windbreaks or companion planting.

Propagation

Most reliably propagated from fresh seed; viability declines rapidly, so sow within days of extraction in moist, well-draining seed mix at 24–27°C. Air layering (marcotting) of healthy lateral branches 2–4 cm in diameter is an alternative for maintaining cultivar traits; roots form in 8–14 weeks under moist sphagnum moss wrapped in polythene. 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

Terap is mildly toxic to pets. Artocarpus is not individually listed by ASPCA. The milky latex produced by the bark and unripe fruit (characteristic of Moraceae) can cause skin irritation and mild gastrointestinal upset if ingested by pets or humans. Ripe fruit pulp is consumed by people and is generally regarded as safe, but latex contact should be avoided. Exercise caution with pets and children. 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.

Terap care — frequently asked questions

What is the common name for Artocarpus elasticus?

Artocarpus elasticus is most commonly called Terap, but it is also known as Terap, Bendo, Terap Nasi, Togop. The names refer to the same species, so care instructions for Terap apply identically to anything sold as Bendo.

How much light does terap need?

Terap grows best in direct sun (at least 4-6 hours). Needs a minimum of 6–8 hours of direct sun daily. Seedlings tolerate brief dappled shade but develop poorly without strong light. In lowland tropical gardens, full open exposure is ideal.

How often should I water terap?

Water terap every 3–5 days when young; established trees every 7–10 days. Requires consistent moisture throughout the growing season, reflecting its rainforest origin. Allow the top 2–3 cm of soil to dry before re-watering. Waterlogged roots cause rapid decline; excellent drainage is essential. During dry spells, deep-water to encourage a deep root system. 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 terap toxic to cats and dogs?

Terap is mildly toxic to pets. Artocarpus is not individually listed by ASPCA. The milky latex produced by the bark and unripe fruit (characteristic of Moraceae) can cause skin irritation and mild gastrointestinal upset if ingested by pets or humans. Ripe fruit pulp is consumed by people and is generally regarded as safe, but latex contact should be avoided. Exercise caution with pets and children.

What USDA hardiness zone does terap grow in?

Terap is rated for USDA zone 10b–12 and RHS hardiness H1a. Outside that range, grow it as a container plant that overwinters indoors before the first hard frost.

Terap deep-dive guides

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

Featured in these plant shortlists

Terap qualifies for 2 curated Growli shortlists — each one filtered objectively from our structured plant-care library, so the selection is consistent and checkable:

Related guides

Terap is also known as Terap, Bendo, Terap Nasi, and Togop.