Does it need a lot of water?

No, it is highly drought tolerant once established.

Can I grow it in a pot?

It is not well suited for containers due to its massive size.

Plant guide

Marula.

Sclerocarya birrea

Pronounced skler-oh-KAY-ree-ah BIR-ee-ah

Also known as Marula, Morula

Sclerocarya birrea — Photo by Elena_Sherehora (CC BY) via gbif

The marula is a beautiful, medium sized tree native to southern Africa that produces delicious, vitamin rich fruits. It is highly valued for its oil and is a staple in its natural habitat. You will find it thrives best in warm climates with plenty of sun.

At a glance

Care level: Moderate
Plant type: Deciduous tree
Light: Full sun
Indoor light: Direct sun
Water: Every 7 to 14 days
Mature size: 15 to 20 meters
Growth rate: Medium
Hardiness: USDA 10 to 12
Bloom time: Late winter to early spring

Care

Ensure the tree receives full sun and is planted in well draining soil to prevent root rot. Watch for yellowing leaves which may indicate overwatering or poor drainage. It is quite drought tolerant once established but appreciates consistent moisture while young.

Watering: Water deeply but allow the soil to dry out significantly between sessions.
Feeding: Apply a balanced fertilizer during the active growing season.
Pruning: Prune during the dormant season to maintain shape and remove dead branches.
Repotting: Repot only when the tree has clearly outgrown its container.
Soil: Sandy or loamy well draining soil
Soil pH: 6.0 to 7.5
Temperature: 5 to 45°C
Humidity: 10 to 40%
Drought tolerance: High
Lifespan: Perennial, can live for over 100 years.
Fragrance: Light
Deer and rabbits: High

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of drainage holes
Stunted growth despite proper care

Safety

People: The bark and leaves are generally safe, but the seeds should be handled with care.
Children: The large, hard seeds pose a choking hazard to small children if ingested.
Contact allergens: The sap can cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals.
Airborne allergens: Pollen may trigger mild seasonal allergies in some people.
Edibility: The fruit is edible and widely consumed, but the kernels must be processed properly to avoid any potential digestive discomfort.

How to identify it

Grey mottled bark
Compound leaves with oval leaflets
Small yellow flowers
Round yellow fleshy fruit

Height: 7 to 18m
Spread: 5 to 15m
Leaves: green, yellow, deciduous
Flowers: white, pink, 0.5 to 1cm
Fruit: yellow, Late summer to autumn

Problems to watch for

Fruit FlyCommon
Root RotCommon
CaterpillarsUncommon
Scale InsectsUncommon

By symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: seed, cuttings
When to plant: spring
Overwintering: Keep the tree in a frost free environment if you are in a cold climate. It requires a warm, dry winter rest period.
In containers: This tree is not suitable for containers due to its large size and deep root system.

Seed propagation

1. Extract seeds from the hard stone.
2. Soak seeds in warm water for 24 hours.
3. Plant in well draining soil.
4. Keep warm and moist until germination.

Plant in open areas with plenty of space, as this tree grows quite large and does not like competition for sunlight.

Grows well with

Acacia · They share similar environmental needs in savanna ecosystems.

Similar species

Baobab · Both are iconic, large trees of the African savanna.

Science

Family: Anacardiaceae
Genus: Sclerocarya
Order: Sapindales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Southern Africa and the Sahel region.
Conservation: This species is not currently endangered and is widely managed in its native range.

It thrives in open woodlands and savannas, often acting as a pioneer species in disturbed areas.

Value to wildlife: fruit provides food for mammals, nesting site for birds
Pollinators: bees, butterflies
Uses: culinary fruit, oil extraction, shade tree, traditional medicine

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 2/9
Soil reaction: 6/9
Light: 9/9
Temperature: 8/9
Moisture: 2/9
Nutrients: 3/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Does it need a lot of water?: No, it is highly drought tolerant once established.
Can I grow it in a pot?: It is not well suited for containers due to its massive size.

Where the name comes from

Sclerocarya comes from the Greek words for hard and nut, referring to the stone inside the fruit. Birrea is derived from the local name for the tree in Senegal.

Good to know

Marula fruit is rich in vitamin C.
Elephants are known to enjoy eating the fermented fruit.
The oil extracted from the kernels is used in skincare products.
It is a dioecious species, meaning male and female flowers grow on separate trees.

Also in

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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.