Cashew Anacardium occidentale
Cashew (Anacardium occidentale) is an evergreen perennial fruit plant in the Anacardiaceae family, native to North-east Brazil. It grows 6–12 m (20–39 ft) tall and 8–12 m (26–39 ft) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about 5 °C (41 °F). Space plants about 8 m (26 ft) apart.
Plan Cashew in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Cashew at a glance
| Type | Perennial fruit plant, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Anacardiaceae |
| Mature height | 6–12 m (20–39 ft) |
| Mature spread | 8–12 m (26–39 ft) |
| Spacing | 8 m (26 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 8 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance high, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 4.5–6.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About 5 °C (41 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 11) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 42 °C (108 °F) |
| Flowering | about 156–209 weeks after planting, for 9–13 weeks |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Yes: nut (after roasting), cashew apple |
| Native to | North-east Brazil |
| Common in gardens of | 🇮🇳 India, 🇻🇳 Vietnam, 🇧🇷 Brazil, 🇳🇬 Nigeria, 🇰🇪 Kenya, 🇹🇭 Thailand, 🇮🇩 Indonesia, 🇵🇭 Philippines, 🇲🇽 Mexico, 🇨🇴 Colombia |
Is Cashew toxic?
- People: moderately toxic
- Cats: moderately toxic
- Dogs: moderately toxic
- Parts: raw nut shell, shell oil
The shell around the nut holds anacardic acid and cardol (relatives of poison-ivy oil) that blister skin; nuts are roasted or steamed before shelling.
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 Cashew
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and low water.
Questions about Cashew
- How far apart should I plant Cashew?
- About 8 m (26 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 8–12 m (26–39 ft).
- Does Cashew need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 8 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Cashew need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is high and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Cashew?
- It tolerates about 5 °C (41 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 11.
- When does Cashew flower?
- About 156–209 weeks after planting, for 9–13 weeks.
- Is Cashew poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is moderately toxic; for dogs moderately toxic; for people moderately toxic. The shell around the nut holds anacardic acid and cardol (relatives of poison-ivy oil) that blister skin; nuts are roasted or steamed before shelling.
- What grows well with Cashew?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Cashew. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (low).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- EcoCrop crop environmental requirements, FAO
- GRIN-Global Taxonomy, USDA ARS
- UF/IFAS Extension tropical and subtropical fruit and landscape publications, University of Florida
Notes and assumptions
- The nut hangs below a juicy, bell-shaped “cashew apple” (the swollen stalk); a dry-tropics orchard tree.
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
- Mango (dwarf) Mangifera indica
- Peruvian pepper tree Schinus molle
- Smoke tree Cotinus coggygria
- Mastic tree (lentisk) Pistacia lentiscus
- Pistachio Pistacia vera
- Sicilian sumac (spice sumac) Rhus coriaria
- Ambarella (June plum) Spondias dulcis
- Jocote (red mombin, ciruela) Spondias purpurea