Pocket BotanistPlant guide
Macadamia nut.
Macadamia integrifolia
Pronounced mak-uh-DAY-mee-uh in-teg-ri-FOH-lee-uh
Also known as Bauplenut, Bush Nut, Macadamia, Macadamia Tree, Macadamia nut, Bauple nut, Queensland nut, Nut oak, Nut Oak, Queensland Nut Tree, Queenslandnut
The Macadamia is a beautiful evergreen tree prized for its delicious, creamy nuts. It thrives in warm, tropical climates and makes a lovely addition to a large garden. You will enjoy its glossy foliage and fragrant, pendulous flower spikes.
At a glance
- Care level
- Moderate
- Plant type
- Evergreen tree
- Light
- Full sun
- Indoor light
- Direct sun
- Water
- Every 7 to 14 days
- Mature size
- 10 to 15 meters
- Growth rate
- Medium
Care
Plant your tree in a spot with deep, well-draining soil and plenty of sunshine. Keep an eye out for yellowing leaves, which often signal a need for iron or magnesium. Protect young trees from strong winds to prevent branch breakage.
- Watering
- Keep the soil consistently moist but never waterlogged.
- Feeding
- Apply a low-phosphorus fertilizer during the active growing season.
- Pruning
- Prune lightly after harvest to maintain shape and encourage airflow.
- Repotting
- Repot only when the tree is young, as established trees prefer to stay in the ground.
- Soil
- Deep, fertile, well-draining soil
- Soil pH
- 5.0 to 6.5
Safety
- Pets
- This plant is considered non-toxic to cats and dogs, though ingesting the nuts can cause digestive upset.
How to identify it
- Glossy, dark green leathery leaves
- Whorled leaf arrangement on branches
- Long, pendulous racemes of flowers
- Hard, woody spherical fruit shells
Science
- Family
- Proteaceae
- Genus
- Macadamia
- Order
- Proteales
- Class
- Magnoliopsida
Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.
Is your macadamia nut looking unwell?
This page is a general guide. Pocket Botanist diagnoses problems from a photo of your actual plant, works out watering for your light and conditions, and reminds you when care is due.
This guide was generated with AI and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.