Cacao Theobroma cacao
Cacao (Theobroma cacao) is an evergreen perennial tree in the Malvaceae family, native to Upper Amazon rainforest understorey (South America). It grows 4–8 m (13–26 ft) tall and 4–6 m (13–20 ft) wide, wants part sun to part shade and high water, and is hardy to about 10 °C (50 °F). Space plants about 3.5 m (11 ft) apart.
Plan Cacao in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Cacao at a glance
| Type | Perennial tree, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Malvaceae |
| Mature height | 4–8 m (13–26 ft) |
| Mature spread | 4–6 m (13–20 ft) |
| Spacing | 3.5 m (11 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Part sun to part shade, at least 3 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | High; drought tolerance none, waterlogging tolerance low |
| Soil pH | 5–7.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About 10 °C (50 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 12) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 35 °C (95 °F) |
| Flowering | from about March for 21–43 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | None |
| Pollinator value | Low |
| Edible | Yes: seeds (cocoa, after fermenting), fruit pulp |
| Native to | Upper Amazon rainforest understorey (South America) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇧🇷 Brazil, 🇵🇪 Peru, 🇲🇽 Mexico, 🇨🇴 Colombia |
Is Cacao toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: moderately toxic
- Dogs: severely toxic
- Parts: seeds, cocoa products
Theobromine in the beans and cocoa products is poisonous to dogs and cats; the fresh pulp is eaten by people.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Cacao
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like part sun to part shade and high water.
See Cacao in a botanical garden
It grows in these sample gardens, which you can walk through in 3D:
- The Huntington (1 plants)
- UC Botanical Garden, Berkeley (1 plants)
- Gardens by the Bay (2 plants)
- Brooklyn Botanic Garden (1 plants)
- China National Botanical Garden (2 plants)
- Missouri Botanical Garden (2 plants)
- Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro (4 plants)
- Denver Botanic Gardens (2 plants)
- New York Botanical Garden (2 plants)
- Jardin botanique de Montréal (1 plants)
- Kew: glasshouses and rock garden (3 plants)
Questions about Cacao
- How far apart should I plant Cacao?
- About 3.5 m (11 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 4–6 m (13–20 ft).
- Does Cacao need full sun?
- Part sun to part shade: at least 3 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Cacao need?
- High water. Drought tolerance is none and waterlogging tolerance low.
- How cold-hardy is Cacao?
- It tolerates about 10 °C (50 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 12.
- When does Cacao flower?
- From about March for 21–43 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Cacao poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is moderately toxic; for dogs severely toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Theobromine in the beans and cocoa products is poisonous to dogs and cats; the fresh pulp is eaten by people.
- What grows well with Cacao?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Cacao. Group it with plants that like the same sun (part sun to part shade) and water (high).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- Kew Gardens: Palm House, Temperate House, Rock Garden and Mediterranean Garden, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- CABI Invasive Species Compendium, CABI
- ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, ASPCA
Notes and assumptions
- Tropical: outdoors only in frost-free climates; in temperate gardens grow it under heated glass (as in the Kew Palm House).
- Flowers grow straight from the trunk (cauliflory) and are pollinated by tiny midges; pods take 5–6 months to ripen.
- Typical garden-form values; cultivars and local conditions differ.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Okra Abelmoschus esculentus
- Hollyhock Alcea rosea
- Tropical hibiscus Hibiscus rosa-sinensis
- Rose of Sharon Hibiscus syriacus
- Small-leaved lime (linden) Tilia cordata
- Durian Durio zibethinus
- Red silk-cotton tree (kapok) Bombax ceiba
- African baobab Adansonia digitata