Amla
Emblica officinalis
📖 About this plant
Emblica officinalis (syn. Phyllanthus emblica — Indian gooseberry or ‘Amla’/’Aunla’ in Odia) is a sacred tree in Hindu tradition and one of the most important medicinal plants of India. The pale green fruits are among the richest natural sources of vitamin C (ascorbic acid) — a single fruit contains 20x the vitamin C of an orange. Amla is the central ingredient of Chyawanprash, the famous Ayurvedic rejuvenative tonic, and Triphala, the classic Ayurvedic digestive formula (with haritaki and bibhitaki). The tree is mentioned in ancient texts as ‘Dhatri’ (the nurse) for its nourishing properties. Fruits are eaten fresh, dried, pickled, candied, or pressed for juice. The wood is hard and used for agricultural implements and furniture.
🧑🌾 Care requirements
Full sun
Drought-tolerant; weekly when young
Low to moderate
15-38°C
Well-draining loam; pH 5.5-8.0 (tolerates saline)
Compost annually; balanced NPK in spring
📋 Plant facts
- 🌍 Origin
- India
- 📏 Max height
- 8-18 m
- 📐 Spread
- 4-8 m
- 🕰️ Bloom time
- Spring (small yellowish flowers)
- 🎨 Bloom color
- Yellowish-green
- 🍃 Foliage color
- Deciduous pinnate feathery leaves
- ⏳ Lifespan
- 70+ years
- 📈 Growth rate
- Slow to moderate
- ☠️ Toxicity
- Non-toxic
- 🌱 Propagation
- Seeds (stratify 2 weeks), grafting, budding
🛡️ Health & Safety
Non-toxic
Common issues
- Bark borer, leaf roller, fruit borer, powdery mildew
💡 Care tips
- Plant grafted trees for early fruiting (3-4 years). Tolerates drought, salt, and poor soils. Harvest fruits when green and firm.
