Can I grow this in a pot?

It is generally too large for long term container growth.

How do I eat the fruit?

The fruit is typically boiled or roasted before the pulp is consumed.

Plant guide

Safou.

Dacryodes edulis

Pronounced dak-ree-OH-deez ED-yoo-liss

Also known as Dacryodes edulis, African-pear, bush-buttertree, eben tree, African Bush Pear, Bush Butter Tree, Bush Plum

Ube — Photo by Philippe Hornus (CC BY) via iNaturalist

The safou is a tropical fruit tree native to central and western Africa. It produces oily, edible fruits that are often roasted or boiled. This tree thrives in humid, warm environments.

Another photo of Safou — Photo by William Stephens (CC BY) via iNaturalist

At a glance

Care level: Moderate
Plant type: Tropical fruit tree
Light: Full sun to partial shade
Indoor light: Bright indirect
Water: Every 3 to 7 days
Mature size: 10 to 40 meters
Growth rate: Fast
Hardiness: USDA 10 to 12
Bloom time: Late spring to early summer

Care

Keep the soil consistently moist but ensure it drains well to prevent root rot. Watch for yellowing leaves which may indicate poor drainage or nutrient deficiency. Provide plenty of warmth and high humidity to mimic its native tropical habitat.

Watering: Water regularly to keep the soil moist, especially during the active growing season.
Feeding: Apply a balanced fertilizer during the growing season to support fruit production.
Pruning: Prune annually to maintain shape and remove dead or crossing branches.
Repotting: Repot young trees as they outgrow their containers, though mature trees are best planted in the ground.
Soil: Deep, fertile, well-draining soil
Soil pH: 5.5 to 6.5
Temperature: 15 to 35°C
Humidity: 60 to 90%
Drought tolerance: Low
Lifespan: Perennial, can live for several decades.
Fragrance: Light
Deer and rabbits: Moderate

Signs it needs repotting

Roots circling the bottom of the pot
Stunted growth despite regular feeding

Safety

People: The plant is generally non-toxic, though raw consumption of certain parts is not recommended.
Children: The large seeds present a choking hazard for small children.
Contact allergens: No specific skin irritants are known.
Airborne allergens: Pollen may cause mild reactions in sensitive individuals.
Edibility: The fruit pulp is edible but should be prepared properly to avoid digestive discomfort.

How to identify it

Large evergreen pinnate leaves
Elliptic blue or purple fruit
Creamy green pulp when ripe
Resinous bark texture
Small yellow flowers in clusters

Height: 10 to 40m
Spread: 5 to 15m
Leaves: dark green, evergreen
Flowers: yellowish white, 0.5 to 1cm
Fruit: purple, pink, Late summer to autumn

Problems to watch for

Fruit RotCommon
CaterpillarsUncommon
Root RotUncommon
Scale InsectsUncommon

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: seed, cuttings
When to plant: spring, early rainy season
Overwintering: Keep in a frost free environment with consistent warmth and high humidity.
In containers: Not suitable for long term container growth due to its massive size.

Seed

1. Clean the seeds of all pulp.
2. Plant in moist, well draining soil.
3. Keep in a warm, shaded area until germination.

Plant this tree as a canopy layer to protect smaller shade loving crops in a tropical food forest.

Grows well with

Cocoa · It provides necessary shade for young cocoa trees.
Coffee · It serves as an effective overstory tree in agroforestry systems.

Similar species

Canarium · It shares similar ecological requirements and fruit utility.

Science

Family: Burseraceae
Genus: Pachylobus
Order: Sapindales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Tropical West and Central Africa
Conservation: This species is widely cultivated and not currently threatened in the wild.

It thrives in humid tropical rainforest environments with high rainfall.

Value to wildlife: nectar source, fruit provides food for birds and mammals
Pollinators: bees, butterflies
Uses: culinary fruit, oil extraction, timber, medicinal bark

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 1/9
Soil reaction: 6/9
Light: 7/9
Temperature: 9/9
Moisture: 8/9
Nutrients: 6/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Can I grow this in a pot?: It is generally too large for long term container growth.
How do I eat the fruit?: The fruit is typically boiled or roasted before the pulp is consumed.

Where the name comes from

The genus name Pachylobus refers to the thick lobes of the fruit, while edulis correctly identifies it as edible.

Good to know

The fruit is rich in essential fatty acids and amino acids.
The tree is often planted as a shade tree in cocoa plantations.
It is known by many names including Safou and Atanga.
The wood is quite hard and used for tool handles.

Keep your safou growing

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This guide was generated with AI on September 26, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.