Cupuaçu Theobroma grandiflorum
Cupuaçu (Theobroma grandiflorum) is an evergreen perennial fruit plant in the Malvaceae family, native to Eastern Amazonia (Pará and Maranhão, Brazil). It grows 5–15 m (16–49 ft) tall and 4–8 m (13–26 ft) wide, wants part sun to part shade and high water, and is hardy to about 10 °C (50 °F). Space plants about 6 m (20 ft) apart.
Plan Cupuaçu in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Cupuaçu at a glance
| Type | Perennial fruit plant, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Malvaceae |
| Mature height | 5–15 m (16–49 ft) |
| Mature spread | 4–8 m (13–26 ft) |
| Spacing | 6 m (20 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Part sun to part shade, at least 4 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | High; drought tolerance none, waterlogging tolerance low |
| Soil pH | 4.5–6.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About 10 °C (50 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 12) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 36 °C (97 °F) |
| Flowering | from about August for 9–13 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | None |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Yes: fruit pulp, seeds (cupulate) |
| Native to | Eastern Amazonia (Pará and Maranhão, Brazil) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇧🇷 Brazil, 🇵🇪 Peru, 🇨🇴 Colombia |
Is Cupuaçu toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Not poisonous; the seeds contain small amounts of theacrine rather than much caffeine.
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 Cupuaçu
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like part sun to part shade and high water.
Questions about Cupuaçu
- How far apart should I plant Cupuaçu?
- About 6 m (20 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 4–8 m (13–26 ft).
- Does Cupuaçu need full sun?
- Part sun to part shade: at least 4 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Cupuaçu need?
- High water. Drought tolerance is none and waterlogging tolerance low.
- How cold-hardy is Cupuaçu?
- It tolerates about 10 °C (50 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 12.
- When does Cupuaçu flower?
- From about August for 9–13 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Cupuaçu poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Not poisonous; the seeds contain small amounts of theacrine rather than much caffeine.
- What grows well with Cupuaçu?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Cupuaçu. 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).
- Flora e Funga do Brasil, Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro (REFLORA)
- Fruits of Warm Climates (Morton, 1987), Purdue University NewCROP
- GRIN-Global Taxonomy, USDA ARS
Notes and assumptions
- A cacao relative with dark red flowers on the branches and brown fruit up to 25 cm long; the creamy, pineapple-chocolate pulp is a favourite juice and sweet in Belém. Grown under shade trees in agroforests.
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
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- Hollyhock Alcea rosea
- Tropical hibiscus Hibiscus rosa-sinensis
- Rose of Sharon Hibiscus syriacus
- Small-leaved lime (linden) Tilia cordata
- Cacao Theobroma cacao
- Durian Durio zibethinus
- Red silk-cotton tree (kapok) Bombax ceiba