How far apart should I plant Safou (African pear, ube, bush butter)?

About 8 m (26 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 6–10 m (20–33 ft).

Does Safou (African pear, ube, bush butter) need full sun?

Full sun: at least 5 hours of direct sun a day.

How much water does Safou (African pear, ube, bush butter) need?

High water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance low.

How cold-hardy is Safou (African pear, ube, bush butter)?

It tolerates about 12 °C (54 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 12.

When does Safou (African pear, ube, bush butter) flower?

From about January for 4–9 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).

Is Safou (African pear, ube, bush butter) 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 Safou (African pear, ube, bush butter)?

There is no well-documented companion pairing for Safou (African pear, ube, bush butter). Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (high).

Safou (African pear, ube, bush butter) Pachylobus edulis

Safou (African pear, ube, bush butter) (Pachylobus edulis) is an evergreen perennial fruit plant in the Burseraceae family, native to Central Africa and the Gulf of Guinea (Nigeria to Angola and Uganda; syn. Dacryodes edulis). It grows 8–20 m (26–66 ft) tall and 6–10 m (20–33 ft) wide, wants full sun and high water, and is hardy to about 12 °C (54 °F). Space plants about 8 m (26 ft) apart.

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Safou (African pear, ube, bush butter) at a glance

Type	Perennial fruit plant, evergreen
Family	Burseraceae
Mature height	8–20 m (26–66 ft)
Mature spread	6–10 m (20–33 ft)
Spacing	8 m (26 ft) centre to centre
Sun	Full sun, at least 5 h of direct sun a day
Water	High; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance low
Soil pH	4.5–6.5
Cold hardiness	About 12 °C (54 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 12)
Heat stress	Likely above about 36 °C (97 °F)
Flowering	from about January for 4–9 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones)
Wind tolerance	Low
Pollinator value	Moderate
Edible	Yes: fruit (softened in hot water or roasted; buttery flesh)
Native to	Central Africa and the Gulf of Guinea (Nigeria to Angola and Uganda; syn. Dacryodes edulis)
Common in gardens of	🇳🇬 Nigeria

Is Safou (African pear, ube, bush butter) 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 Safou (African pear, ube, bush butter)

No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and high water.

Questions about Safou (African pear, ube, bush butter)

How far apart should I plant Safou (African pear, ube, bush butter)?: About 8 m (26 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 6–10 m (20–33 ft).
Does Safou (African pear, ube, bush butter) need full sun?: Full sun: at least 5 hours of direct sun a day.
How much water does Safou (African pear, ube, bush butter) need?: High water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance low.
How cold-hardy is Safou (African pear, ube, bush butter)?: It tolerates about 12 °C (54 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 12.
When does Safou (African pear, ube, bush butter) flower?: From about January for 4–9 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
Is Safou (African pear, ube, bush butter) 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 Safou (African pear, ube, bush butter)?: There is no well-documented companion pairing for Safou (African pear, ube, bush butter). Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) 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
Lost Crops of Africa, vol. I Grains (1996), II Vegetables (2006), III Fruits (2008), National Research Council, National Academies Press, Washington DC
Agroforestree Database: a tree reference and selection guide, World Agroforestry (CIFOR-ICRAF), Nairobi

Notes and assumptions

Tropical: needs warm nights all year; in a frosty climate grow it under glass or as a summer container plant.
A dense evergreen tree of Cameroon, Congo and Nigerian compounds. The violet-skinned fruits have pale green, oily flesh that softens to a butter when warmed. Separate male and female trees are common in seedlings; grafted trees are now spread by agroforestry programmes. Moved from Dacryodes to Pachylobus in recent Kew treatment.

Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.

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