How to grow Atrocarpus (Durian, Jackfruit, Lakoocha) in South Australia?

GamerGrow

Hello everyone, I'm new to the forum here and have just recently started getting into gardening and hands on stuff, and I was wondering if anyone has had any luck growing Jackfruits or similar Atrocarpus in their gardens in South Australia. I know that many of them die from frost and hate temperature under 15oC, but I asked AI and it claimed there were more hardy species / varieties like Lakoochas, Nepalese or Black Gold Jackfruit that could handle frosts up to -3oC which might be able to be grown here. I don't really put huge trust in everything AI comes up with though so I was wondering if anybody has had any luck growing these in the Fleurieu peninsula. Thanks!

MitchellMc

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @GamerGrow. It's sensational to have you join us, and many thanks for your question about growing Atrocarpus.

Jackfruit and other Artocarpus species are a real challenge in South Australia. They are truly tropical trees, and even the so-called hardier varieties struggle once temperatures drop below the mid-teens. The information you found online about strains tolerating frost down to around minus three degrees tends to be theoretical or based on very controlled conditions. In real backyard situations in the Fleurieu peninsula the combination of winter chill, soil temperatures and long cool periods usually finishes them off well before frost tolerance is tested.

There are gardeners who try them in Adelaide or coastal pockets by giving them very sheltered microclimates, heavy mulch, warm walls and frost cloth, but even then results are mixed. Lakoocha is somewhat tougher than jackfruit, but still not reliably hardy in your region. You may have better luck growing them in a pot and bringing them under cover for the coldest months, which keeps the plant warm enough to survive and still lets you enjoy growing something unusual. If you decide to experiment, it is definitely worth treating it as a fun project rather than something likely to become a long-term fruiting tree in the garden. 

If you want plants that give a tropical feel but will genuinely cope, bananas such as Musa basjoo or Ladyfinger are surprisingly hardy, feijoas provide a lush evergreen look, cherimoyas and atemoyas offer that true tropical vibe with far better cold tolerance, tamarillos grow quickly and handle frost, and loquats or hardy guavas give you glossy foliage without struggling through winter.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell