Eurycoma longifolia

Cultivation Details

A plant of the moist to wet lowland tropics, where it can sometimes be found at elevations up to 1,000 metres. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 20 - 30°c, but can tolerate 15 - 35°c^[1]. It can be killed by temperatures of -1°c or lower^[1]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 2,000 - 4,000mm, but tolerates 1,500 - 5,000mm^[1]. Succeeds in full sun and in light shade^[1]. Seedlings require shade, during which time they develop an extensive root system. Following the juvenile stage, they need stronger light to develop vegetative and reproductive parts^[1]. Succeeds in a wide range of well-drained soils, preferring a well-drained sandy loam with good supply of humus, or a friable clay to red and laterite soil^[1]. Prefers a pH in the range 4.5 - 5.5, tolerating 4 - 6^[1]. The plant is often found in the wild in Kerangas forest - a type of moist, heath forest found on acidic, sandy soils that are low in nutrients, especially nitrogen^[PFAF]. A dioecious species, both male and female forms need to be grown if fruit and seed are required.