
Grow your own Bakain (Melia azedarach) tree from seed — a hardy, fast-growing shade tree with airy foliage and mild fragrance. Commonly planted along roadsides and open spaces, it’s now also popular in large home gardens and near boundary walls for quick cover and minimal care.
Bakain is drought-tolerant, heat-hardy, and can be shaped into a single-trunk tree or left as a wide, natural canopy. Best sown in early spring or summer.
Why Gardeners Prefer Bakain
- Fast Growing – Quick vertical height in first 2–3 years
- Drought Tolerant – Survives low-water areas easily
- Large Tree from Seed – Reaches 15–20 ft+ over time
- Minimal Care – Doesn’t need daily watering or fertilizer
- Used as Windbreak or Shade – Ideal for boundary walls
How to Grow Bakain from Seed
Where to Sow:
- Direct in garden soil or start in deep nursery bags
- Requires open, sunny location
Steps:
- Soak seeds overnight to soften shell
- Sow 1 inch deep in well-drained garden soil
- Water gently and keep soil moist
- Germinates in 15–25 days in warm weather
- Transplant after 4–6 true leaves appear
Fertilizer & Care
- At Sowing: Mix Vermicompost into soil
- Every 30 Days (optional): Use diluted Seaweed Liquid Fertilizer to support early sapling growth
- Watering: Only during dry spells — mature plants survive on rainfall alone
- Pest Issues: Spray Neem Oil if leaf insects appear
FAQs
How long does it take Bakain to grow into a tree?
With good care, it can reach 8–10 feet within 2–3 years.
Can I grow it in a pot?
Only for the first few months. Needs ground space long-term due to deep roots.
Is it good for shade or privacy?
Yes — its wide canopy makes it ideal for shade, windbreaks, or screening.
When is the best time to sow Bakain seeds?
February to July — in warm temperatures above 25°C.
Is it messy like Neem?
Not much. It drops small round fruits, but less leaf mess than other trees.