Description
Garcinia indica, Kokum is grown throughout in India for different benefits.
It spreads up to 6 m. A plant is with deep-green glossy leaves, 5.5 to 8 cm long and 2.5 to 3 cm broad. The flowers are fleshy, dark pink, solitary or in spreading cluster. The fruit is brownish or brownish-gray, marbled with yellow. A Kokum tree can bear hundreds of fruits during summer.
Generally, a mature plant yield 45 to 60 kg of fruits per tree can be expected per year.Plant Specifications
| Common Name | Goa butter tree, Kokum butter tree, Mangosteen, Kokum, Aagal |
| Maximum Reachable Height | Up to 8 m |
| Flower Colour | Light Pink |
| Bloom Time | November to February |
| Difficulty Level | Moderate to grow. |
Planting and care
Garcinia indica care
Naturally, Garcinia indica is found in forest lands, riversides and wastelands. It generally requires hot humid climatic conditions. It thrives best in well-deep soils with good moisture holding capacity. Kokum planting can be carried out at the onset of monsoon. The distance of 5 m to 6 m between plants and rows is ideal.
| Sunlight | Partial shade, full sun |
| Watering | Moderate |
| Soil | Lateritic, sandy, clay and loamy soils. |
| Temperature | 20 degrees C to 36 degrees C |
| Fertilizer | Use any organic fertilizer. |
| Harvest Season | The fruits are plucked when they are ripe. Grafts start bearing fruits from 4 to 5 years of planting or plants grown through seedlings will become ready for harvesting in 7 to 8 years of planting. |
Garcinia indica special feature
It is indigenous to the Western Ghats region of India, along with the western coast.
Garcinia indica uses
Ornamental Use:
- The tree is ornamental, with a dense canopy of leaves
- It is good for Hedges and Borders
Medicinal Use:
- It has many many medicinal properties and used in home remedies
- Note: Please consult your health expert
Culinary Use:
- The fruits are used to make squash and in other cuisines
- It is added during the preparation of solkadhi, along with coconut milk