Cupuacu.

At a glance

Care level

Moderate

Plant type

Evergreen tree

Light

Partial shade to full sun

Indoor light

Bright indirect

Water

Every 2 to 4 days

Mature size

15 to 20 meters

Growth rate

Medium

Hardiness

USDA 10 to 12

Bloom time

Mainly in the dry season (about July to December in the native range)

Care

Keep the soil consistently moist and protect the tree from strong winds and direct, harsh sun. Watch for yellowing leaves which often signal poor drainage or nutrient deficiency. Maintain high humidity levels to mimic its native Amazonian habitat.

Watering

Keep the soil evenly moist but never waterlogged.

Feeding

Apply a balanced organic fertilizer during the active growing season.

Pruning

Prune lightly to remove dead wood and maintain a manageable shape.

Repotting

Repot young trees when they become root bound in their containers.

Soil

Deep, well-draining, nutrient-rich loam

Soil pH

5.0 to 6.5

Temperature

15 to 35°C

Humidity

70 to 95%

Drought tolerance

Low

Lifespan

Long lived perennial, often exceeding 30 years.

Fragrance

Strong

Deer and rabbits

Moderate

Safety

People

The plant is not considered toxic to humans.

Children

The large, heavy fruits can pose a falling hazard if they drop near children.

Contact allergens

The fuzzy coating on the fruit can cause mild skin irritation in some people.

Airborne allergens

There are no notable respiratory allergens associated with this tree.

Edibility

The pulp is delicious, but the seeds must be processed before consumption to remove bitter compounds.

How to identify it

• Large, oblong, leathery dark green leaves
• Brown, fuzzy, football shaped fruit
• Dark red, five petaled flowers on branches
• Dense, spreading canopy structure

Height

5 to 15m

Spread

3 to 6m

Leaves

dark green, evergreen

Flowers

dark red, maroon, 2 to 4cm

Fruit

brown, tan, Year round with peaks

Problems to watch for

• PhytophthoraCommon
• Root RotCommon
• Witches BroomCommon
• AnthracnoseUncommon
• CaterpillarsUncommon
• Leaf SpotUncommon
• Scale InsectsUncommon
• Sooty MoldRare

Growing it

Propagation

seed, cuttings, grafting

When to plant

spring, summer

Overwintering

Keep the plant in a warm, frost free environment at all times. Ensure high humidity levels are maintained during the winter months.

In containers

It is generally too large for long term container growth unless heavily pruned.

Plant in a multi-layered food forest to mimic its natural rainforest habitat.

Grows well with

• Banana · Provides necessary shade for young trees.
• Açaí palm · Thrives in the same high humidity and soil conditions.

Similar species

• Cacao · It is the most famous relative in the same genus.

Science

Family

Malvaceae

Genus

Theobroma

Order

Malvales

Class

Magnoliopsida

Native range

Amazon basin of South America.

Conservation

It is widely cultivated in the Amazon and is not currently threatened in the wild.

It grows as an understory tree in tropical rainforests, relying on specialized insects for pollination.

Value to wildlife

nectar source, habitat for canopy insects

Pollinators

bees, beetles

Uses

culinary fruit pulp, cosmetic butter production, ornamental shade tree

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Does it need full sun?

No, it prefers partial shade and protection from harsh direct sunlight.

How do I know when to harvest?

The fruit is ready when it falls naturally from the tree.

Where the name comes from

The name Theobroma comes from Greek meaning food of the gods, while grandiflorum refers to its large flowers.

Good to know

• The fruit pulp is often used to make juices and ice cream.
• Cupuaçu butter is a popular ingredient in moisturizing skin lotions.
• The tree is a member of the Malvaceae family.
• It thrives in the deep shade of the rainforest understory.