Cannonball tree.

At a glance

Care level

Moderate

Plant type

Deciduous tree

Light

Full sun

Indoor light

Direct sun

Water

Every 2 to 4 days

Mature size

25 to 35 meters

Growth rate

Fast

Hardiness

USDA 10 to 12

Bloom time

Year round in tropical climates

Care

Plant this tree in a location with plenty of space to accommodate its massive size. Keep the soil consistently moist and watch for signs of leaf drop if the environment becomes too dry. Ensure it is protected from frost as it is strictly a tropical plant.

Watering

Keep the soil evenly moist but avoid waterlogging the roots.

Feeding

Apply a balanced fertilizer during the active growing season.

Pruning

Remove dead or damaged branches once a year to maintain tree health.

Repotting

Repot only while the tree is young, as it eventually requires permanent ground planting.

Soil

Rich, well-draining soil

Soil pH

6.0 to 7.5

Temperature

15 to 35°C

Humidity

60 to 90%

Safety

People

The fruit pulp is generally considered safe, but the plant is not typically used for food.

Children

The heavy, woody fruits can pose a significant injury risk if they fall on a child.

Contact allergens

The sap can cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals.

Airborne allergens

There are no notable airborne allergens associated with this tree.

Edibility

The fruit pulp is edible but can have a very unpleasant odor that discourages consumption.

How to identify it

• Large woody spherical fruits
• Fragrant pink and yellow flowers
• Flowers grow directly on trunk
• Large deciduous leathery leaves

Height

15 to 35m

Spread

8 to 15m

Leaves

green, deciduous

Flowers

pink, red, yellow, 5 to 10cm

Fruit

brown, Year round

Problems to watch for

• Root RotCommon
• CaterpillarsUncommon
• Leaf SpotUncommon
• MealybugsUncommon
• Scale InsectsUncommon
• Sooty MoldUncommon
• ChlorosisRare
• Stem BorersRare

Growing it

Propagation

seed, cuttings

When to plant

spring, summer

Plant in a large, open space where the falling fruit will not damage other plants or structures.

Grows well with

• Heliconia · These thrive in the same high humidity and light conditions.

Similar species

• Brazil Nut · Both are large tropical trees in the Lecythidaceae family.

Science

Family

Lecythidaceae

Genus

Couroupita

Order

Ericales

Class

Magnoliopsida

Native range

Tropical South America and the Caribbean.

Conservation

This species is not currently listed as endangered in its native range.

It grows in humid tropical rainforests where it relies on large bees for pollination.

Value to wildlife

nectar source

Pollinators

bees

Uses

ornamental specimen, botanical garden feature

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Can I grow this in a pot?

It is generally too large for container culture unless you have a massive conservatory.

Why does the fruit smell bad?

The pulp contains compounds that produce a strong, fermented odor when exposed to air. Animals such as peccaries eat the fruit and help disperse the seeds.

Where the name comes from

The name Couroupita comes from a local Guianan name, while guianensis refers to the Guiana region.

Good to know

• The flowers are highly fragrant, especially at night.
• It is often planted near Buddhist temples in Asia.
• The tree is native to the rainforests of South America.
• The flowers have a complex structure that requires large bees for pollination.