Pandanus dubius
Bakong · Pandanus · Knob-fruited Screwpine
Description
Source: leafsnapPandanus dubius, commonly known as the screw pine, is a tropical plant species that belongs to the Pandanaceae family. It is native to Southeast Asia, thriving in countries such as Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines. The plant has a distinctive appearance, characterized by long, spiky leaves that grow in a spiral pattern around its stem. These green leaves can reach lengths of up to 2 meters. The screw pine holds significant cultural importance in many Southeast Asian communities due to its numerous uses. Its leaves are commonly woven into mats, baskets, and other handicrafts, while its fruit serves both culinary and medicinal purposes. The fruit of Pandanus dubius resembles a pineapple but turns orange when ripe. This plant thrives in tropical climates with high humidity and well-drained soil. While it prefers full sun exposure, it can also tolerate partial shade. Beyond its cultural value, Pandanus dubius possesses medicinal properties recognized by traditional healers for centuries. The roots contain compounds with anti-inflammatory properties, making them effective in treating ailments such as arthritis and rheumatism. In summary, Pandanus dubius is a significant plant species renowned for its cultural, ecological, and medicinal value. Its diverse applications and benefits make it a valuable resource for the socio-economic well-being of Southeast Asian communities where it flourishes.
Care Guide
💧 Water Every 7 days
☀️ Light Full sun
Bakong is native to open habitats, such as sunny meadows and forest margins, which offer abundant light. It performs best in Full Sun but can also tolerate Partial Sun, adjusting well to different sunlight conditions.
🌡️ Temperature 20–37.8°C
Bakong comes from tropical regions, where the climate is generally warm and humid. Consequently, it is well suited to high temperatures and humidity. It does not tolerate sudden temperature swings and prefers a stable thermal environment, so avoiding indoor temperature fluctuations is important. It typically cannot withstand cold and requires warmer conditions to grow. If the surrounding temperature falls too low, the plant may stop growing or even die.
💨 Humidity
🪴 Soil 5-7
🌱 Fertilizer
Fertilizing is essential for Bakong care. Regular feeding during the growing season maintains the energy required for its showy leaves and supports overall growth. If fertilization is neglected, leaves can become unhealthy, the plant’s ornamental value may decline, and growth can be stunted or weak and prone to breaking.
🪴 Pot & Repot
✂️ Pruning
🌿 Propagating
🐛 Diseases & pets
☠️ Toxicity
Characteristics
- Plant Type
- Tree, Palm
- Life Cycle
- Perennial
- Genus
- Pandanus
- Family
- Pandanaceae
- Hardiness Zone
- 10-11
- Mature Height
- 10.06 m to 14.94 m
- Mature Spread
- 4.88 m to 7.92 m
- Leaf Color
- Dark Green
- Leaf Type
- Evergreen
- Bloom Time
- Summer
- Planting Time
- Spring, Summer, Autumn
- Harvest Time
- Fall
- Native Area
- Solomon Islands, India, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vanuatu, Philippines, Papua New Guinea, Fiji