Santol Fruit Tree | Sweet-Tart Tropical Golden Fruit

Santol

7 Gallon

$199.00

1/5

Santol

Sandoricum koetjape

Unique Dual-Texture Fruit (Cottony & Gelatinous) • Refreshing Sweet-Tart Flavor • Fast-Growing Tropical Giant

$199.00

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Bay Area–Based Nursery

We specialize in plants grown and delivered in their original pots and soil.
Because of their size and weight, our plants are not suitable for long-distance shipping and are delivered locally to ensure health and quality.

While delivery is limited to our local service area, we’re happy to support garden design and plant selection remotely.

For local plant professionals, we’re always glad to connect and explore ways to support your customers.

The Santol, or Cottonfruit, is a statuesque and prolific tropical tree, revered in Southeast Asia for its refreshing, multi-textured fruit and impressive stature. This fast-growing giant produces large, golden-brown fruits with a unique dual-layered edible interior: a thick, tangy, cottony outer pulp and a sweet, juicy, translucent aril surrounding the seeds. Its flavor is a complex balance of sweet and tart, reminiscent of peach and apple with a distinct aromatic twist. While it can become a forest giant, it's a beloved source of shade, fruit, and tradition in its native regions.

Produces large, round, golden-brown fruits with a thick, leathery rind.
Fruit has a unique two-part edible interior: a tangy, fibrous outer pulp and a sweet, slippery inner aril (like a lychee or mangosteen).
Flavor profile is refreshingly sweet-tart and aromatic, often compared to a mix of peach, apple, and citrus.
A very fast-growing, massive evergreen tree that can reach over 100 feet tall in ideal conditions.
Deeply embedded in Southeast Asian culinary and cultural traditions.
More cold-sensitive than some tropicals, requiring a consistently warm, frost-free climate.

Flavor & Eating Profile:

Flavor: A vibrant mix of sweet and sour. The outer pulp is tart and tangy, while the inner aril is sweeter and more perfumed.
Texture: Outer pulp: Fibrous, cotton-like, and juicy. Inner aril: Soft, slippery, and gelatinous.
Best Uses: Fresh: Eaten raw, often dipped in salt or a spicy-sweet mix. The aril is sucked from the seed. Processed: Excellent for making jams, jellies, chutneys, candies, and refreshing sour soups. The rind is sometimes candied.

Knowing how we measure the size?

When browsing our plants, you may notice size terms such as Gallon, Multi, or Stand. These describe how a plant is grown, containerized, or structured at the time of sale — not just its height. Understanding these terms will help you choose the right plant for your space and expectations.

🌱 Gallon Size (Container Size)

Gallon refers to the size of the nursery container the plant is currently growing in (e.g. 1 Gallon, 5 Gallon, 15 Gallon).

A larger gallon size generally means:
- A more established root system
- A sturdier plant
- Faster visual impact after planting
Example:
- 5 Gallon: Ideal for residential gardens, easy to handle, good balance of value and maturity
- 15 Gallon: More mature, provides quicker results in the landscape

Note: Gallon size does not guarantee a specific height, as growth varies by species.

🌳 Multi (Multi-Trunk / Multi-Branch Form)

Multi indicates the plant has multiple trunks or main stems growing from the base.

Commonly used for:
- Ornamental trees
- Feature plants
- Japanese maples, olives, crepe myrtles, etc.
Why choose Multi:
- Fuller, more sculptural appearance
- Strong visual presence even at younger ages
- Popular for design-focused landscapes

🌲 Stand (Single-Trunk / Standard Form)

Stand (short for Standard) refers to a single, dominant trunk with a raised or naturally formed canopy.

Commonly used for:
- Shade trees
- Street trees
- Orchard and structural plantings
Why choose Stand:
- Clean, classic tree form
- Easier clearance for walkways and lawns
- Preferred for long-term structure and uniformity

🌿 Choosing the Right Size

If you want instant impact → larger Gallon, Multi form
If you want long-term structure → Stand form
If you want flexibility and value → mid-size Gallon containers

If you’re unsure which size or form fits your project, our team is happy to help you select the best option based on your space, timeline, and design goals.

Features:Foliage: Oblong-ovate, green, papery leaves with serrated margins.Flowers: Small yellow-green five-petaled flowers arranged in panicles; blooming spring to summer.Fruit: Large, slightly flattened round fruit with tough brown rind; translucent white flesh containing 3-5 brown seeds; tangy flavor ripening to sweet with unique tropical aroma.Habit: Fast-growing evergreen or briefly deciduous tree with dense, narrow oval crown; gray-brown bark and young branches covered with brown fuzz.Cultural Note: Revered as "Queen of Thai Fruits" in Southeast Asia
Mature Height: 50-150 ft
Mature Width: 30-50 ft
Growth Rate: Fast
Light Needs: Full sun
Key Advantages:Exceptional ornamental and fruit production value.Fast growth provides quick shade.Unique tropical flavor profile.Cultural significance in Southeast Asian cuisine
Landscape Uses:Tropical shade tree.Edible landscape specimen.Parks and large gardens.Cultural gardens

Q: How do you eat a santol?
A: 1. Peel the tough rind. 2. You'll find a thick, white, cottony pulp surrounding the seeds. You can suck the juice and flavor from this pulp, then discard the fibers, or eat it all. 3. Inside are seeds coated with a sweet, translucent aril (like a lychee), which is the prized part—suck it clean from the seed.

Q: Is the whole fruit edible?
A: The rind is tough and inedible and must be peeled. The thick outer pulp and the inner aril are both edible, though the fibrous pulp is often just juiced in the mouth. The seeds themselves are not eaten.

Q: How large does the tree get? Is it suitable for a home garden?
A: In its native habitat, it can become a forest giant (50-100 ft+). For home gardens, it requires significant space and is best for large properties in tropical climates. It can be pruned heavily to maintain a smaller size, but this is a vigorous t