Is Japanese raisin tree edible?

Yes — Japanese raisin tree (Hovenia dulcis) is catalogued as edible in this database. Always confirm species ID before harvest and source from clean ground.

How should Japanese raisin tree be stored?

Dried Japanese raisin tree keeps 12–18 months in an airtight glass jar away from direct sunlight and moisture. Volatile-oil constituents degrade faster — buy in small quantities and use within 6 months of opening for peak potency. Refrigerate tinctures once opened.

PlantSage.eu

ENRO

IIIFolio · plant profile№ 2908edible

Data provenancePermapeopleTrefleWikipedia PFAF POWOreviewed 7 Jul 2026methodology → read

Home/Plants

Japanese raisin tree

Hovenia dulcis

Educational content — not medical, botanical, or professional advice. Plant identification, safety, and edibility depend on local conditions, cultivars, and correct identification. Consult a qualified botanist or forager before consuming or handling wild specimens. How we source & review →

edible perennialtreesedible

Updated7 July 2026·Quick Q&A →

Hovenia dulcis (Japanese raisin tree) — botanical photograph

Pl. 2908 — Hovenia dulcis

Hovenia dulcisHovenia dulcisHovenia dulcisHovenia dulcisHovenia dulcisHovenia dulcisHovenia dulcisHovenia dulcisHovenia dulcisHovenia dulcisHovenia dulcisHovenia dulcisHovenia dulcisHovenia dulcis

Overview

The Japanese raisin tree, Hovenia dulcis, is a perennial tree or shrub native to the mountainous regions of East Asia and the Himalayas. It can be found growing in Assam, Bangladesh, China, India, Japan, Korea, Thailand, and Vietnam. This plant is known for its edible fruit, which is often consumed fresh or dried, providing a sweet and nutritious snack. One distinctive feature of Hovenia dulcis is its unique, hairy seed pods that resemble raisins, from which the tree gets its common name. The plant's ability to thrive in a variety of conditions, including full sun, moist soil, and light sandy soils, has made it a popular choice for cultivation in these regions.

Quick answers

What is Japanese raisin tree?

Full Q&A reference →

Growingconditions · propagation · uses

Cultivation

The Japanese raisin tree is a perennial plant that thrives in full sun and moist conditions. It prefers light to medium soil, tolerating both sandy and medium textures. Hardiness ranges from 5-9, indicating it's hardy in temperate regions. This evergreen tree can grow up to 10 meters tall and has a shrub-like habit. To propagate the plant, one would typically use its edible fruit, as it is an edible species. The gardener should be aware of this unique aspect when cultivating the Japanese raisin tree.

Light

Full sun

Water

Moist

Soil

Light (sandy), Medium

Hardiness

5-9

Life cycle

Perennial

Habit

Tree, Shrub

Mature size

10.0 m tall

Edible & utility

Edible parts:Fruit

Edible uses: Sweetener

Other uses:LumberFragrance

Contextrange · companions · related

VII

Distribution

12 native · 9 introduced

Distribution across2 continents· 12 native· 9 introduced

Asia7 regions

native (7)BangladeshChinaIndiaJapanSouth KoreaThailandVietnam

Americas3 regions

introduced (3)HondurasParaguayPeru

Broader regions

native:East Himalaya, West Himalaya

introduced:Brazil Northeast, Brazil South, Brazil Southeast, North Carolina, Texas, Argentina Northeast

Specimen gallery

1 image

Explore further

Companion planting

Japanese raisin tree companions →

Growing zone

USDA zone 5-9

XII

About this entry

Last updated: 7 July 2026
Citation: How to cite this entry · Submit a correction

Back to the cataloguePlant id · 29081767-2120-48ee-ac79-d66b6b34c154

Decision aid

Choosing between Japanese raisin tree and something else?

Compare with another plant

❦❦❦❦

Endpaper · archive updates

Get archive updates

Occasional email when substantial new content lands — plant profiles, seasonal growing notes, folk-remedy additions. Free, no tracking, unsubscribe anytime.

🌱My garden