Does it need full sun?

Yes, it grows best in full, bright sunlight.

Can I grow it in a pot?

Only when young, as it eventually becomes a very large tree.

Plant guide

Sea almond.

Terminalia catappa

Pronounced ter-mi-NAY-lee-uh kuh-TAP-puh

Also known as Alman Tree, Almond, Almond Tree, Beach Almond, Country Almond, India Almond, Indian Almond, Indian-almond

The sea almond is a large tropical tree known for its wide, horizontal branches and impressive, leathery leaves. It produces edible nuts that taste a bit like almonds and is a common sight along sandy coastlines. You'll love how its foliage turns vibrant shades of red and yellow before dropping.

Another photo of Sea almond — Photo by Karen McCabe (CC BY) via gbif

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Tropical tree
Light: Full sun
Indoor light: Direct sun
Water: Every 3 to 7 days
Mature size: 30 to 40 meters
Growth rate: Fast
Hardiness: USDA 10 to 12
Bloom time: Spring to early summer

Care

This tree thrives in warm, humid environments with plenty of sun. Watch for yellowing leaves, which can indicate the soil is staying too wet or the tree is entering a natural dormancy phase. Ensure the soil drains well to keep the roots happy.

Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist but never waterlogged.
Feeding: Use a balanced fertilizer during the active growing season.
Pruning: Trim back dead or crossing branches once a year to maintain shape.
Repotting: Repot young trees annually until they reach a size that requires a permanent container or ground planting.
Soil: Sandy, well draining soil
Soil pH: 6.0 to 7.5
Temperature: 15 to 35°C
Humidity: 60 to 90%
Drought tolerance: Moderate
Lifespan: Long lived, often over 50 years.
Fragrance: Light
Deer and rabbits: Moderate

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes
Stunted growth despite regular feeding

Safety

People: The plant is not considered toxic, but the hard shells of the fruit can be a choking hazard.
Children: The large, woody fruit shells are hard and can pose a choking risk if left on the ground.
Contact allergens: The sap can cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals.
Airborne allergens: Pollen may trigger mild allergic reactions in some people.
Edibility: The kernel inside the fruit is edible, but the fibrous husk is not meant for consumption.

How to identify it

Large, glossy, leathery obovate leaves
Horizontal, tiered branching pattern
Small, greenish white flower spikes
Fibrous, almond shaped drupe fruits

Height: 15 to 25m
Spread: 10 to 20m
Leaves: green, red, yellow, deciduous
Flowers: white, greenish-white, 0.5 to 1cm
Fruit: green, red, brown, Year round in tropics

Problems to watch for

AphidsCommon
Leaf SpotCommon
Root RotUncommon
Sooty MoldUncommon

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

Check your sea almond from a photo

Pocket Botanist looks at a photo of your plant and tells you what's wrong and what to try first.

Growing it

Propagation: seed, cuttings
When to plant: Spring, Summer
Overwintering: Keep the tree in a warm, frost-free environment during winter. Reduce watering if the tree enters a semi-dormant phase.
In containers: It is suitable for containers only while in its juvenile stage, requiring a very large pot.

Seed propagation

Clean the fruit to remove the fleshy outer layer.
Soak the seed in water for 24 hours.
Plant in well-draining soil at a shallow depth.
Keep warm and moist until germination.

Plant this tree as a canopy layer to provide dappled shade for smaller tropical shrubs.

Grows well with

Coconut Palm · They share similar coastal environmental requirements.
Hibiscus · They thrive in the same warm, tropical conditions.

Similar species

Tropical Almond · It is a smaller relative with similar leaf structure.

Science

Family: Combretaceae
Genus: Terminalia
Order: Myrtales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Tropical Asia, Australia, and the Pacific Islands.
Conservation: This tree is widely naturalized and not of conservation concern.

It is a pioneer species that thrives in sandy, coastal soils and disperses its seeds via ocean currents.

Value to wildlife: nectar source, provides nesting sites
Pollinators: bees, butterflies, moths
Uses: ornamental shade tree, edible nuts, timber, medicinal bark

Through the year

JFMAMJJASOND

Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 6/9
Soil reaction: 7/9
Light: 8/9
Temperature: 9/9
Moisture: 6/9
Nutrients: 5/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Does it need full sun?: Yes, it grows best in full, bright sunlight.
Can I grow it in a pot?: Only when young, as it eventually becomes a very large tree.

Where the name comes from

The genus name Terminalia refers to the leaves appearing at the very ends of the shoots. The species name catappa is derived from its Malay name.

Good to know

It is often called the Indian almond tree.
The seeds are rich in oil and taste similar to almonds.
It is highly salt tolerant and thrives near beaches.
The leaves are used in aquariums to lower water pH.

Keep your sea almond growing

This page is a general guide. Save your plant in Pocket Botanist and you get care reminders timed for this plant, plus a care history that shows what worked.

Get the app

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.