Marula Sclerocarya birrea
Marula (Sclerocarya birrea) is a deciduous perennial fruit plant in the Anacardiaceae family, native to Woodland and savanna of tropical and southern Africa (Senegal and Ethiopia to KwaZulu-Natal). It grows 9–18 m (30–59 ft) tall and 8–14 m (26–46 ft) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about -2 °C (28 °F). Space plants about 10 m (33 ft) apart.
Plan Marula in your garden →
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Marula at a glance
| Type | Perennial fruit plant, deciduous |
|---|---|
| Family | Anacardiaceae |
| Mature height | 9–18 m (30–59 ft) |
| Mature spread | 8–14 m (26–46 ft) |
| Spacing | 10 m (33 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 7 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance high, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 5.5–8 |
| Cold hardiness | About -2 °C (28 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 9) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 44 °C (111 °F) |
| Flowering | from about March for 3–6 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Yes: ripe fruit (juicy, tart; juice, jelly, beer, liqueur), nut kernels (oil) |
| Native to | Woodland and savanna of tropical and southern Africa (Senegal and Ethiopia to KwaZulu-Natal) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇿🇦 South Africa, 🇰🇪 Kenya |
Is Marula toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Not poisonous.
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 Marula
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and low water.
Questions about Marula
- How far apart should I plant Marula?
- About 10 m (33 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 8–14 m (26–46 ft).
- Does Marula need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 7 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Marula need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is high and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Marula?
- It tolerates about -2 °C (28 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 9.
- When does Marula flower?
- From about March for 3–6 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Marula 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.
- What grows well with Marula?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Marula. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (low).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- Lost Crops of Africa, vol. I Grains (1996), II Vegetables (2006), III Fruits (2008), National Research Council, National Academies Press, Washington DC
- PlantZAfrica, South African National Biodiversity Institute
Notes and assumptions
- A savanna plant of hot summers and a long dry season; it wants sharp drainage and resents cold, wet winters.
- Separate male and female trees; only females fruit. Plum-sized fruit fall green and ripen yellow on the ground in late summer; they flavour Amarula cream liqueur and marula oil comes from the nuts. The tale that elephants get drunk on fermented fallen fruit is folklore (grade D): a 2006 study found an elephant could not eat enough to become drunk.
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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- Peruvian pepper tree Schinus molle
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- Pistachio Pistacia vera
- Sicilian sumac (spice sumac) Rhus coriaria
- Cashew Anacardium occidentale
- Ambarella (June plum) Spondias dulcis