Cacao tree (Theobroma cacao) - young plant

• A young live, rooted plant
• Tropical tree to grow in a pot, indoors or in a greenhouse
• Packaging suited to live plants

This is its most striking feature. The cacao tree is cauliflorous: its flowers do not appear at the ends of the shoots, but directly on the trunk and large branches, in small clusters clinging to the bark. The pods then develop in the same place, giving the impression of a trunk laden with fruit.

These tiny, scentless flowers are pollinated by small midges of the genus Forcipomyia. It is a remarkably inefficient form of pollination: out of hundreds of flowers, only a few produce a pod.

Its genus name, Theobroma, literally means food of the gods, a name given by Linnaeus.

The cacao tree is demanding, and you should know this before you start. It needs three things at all times: warmth, humid air, and no direct sun.

It is an understorey tree: in full light, its leaves scorch. Keep it above 18 °C, never below 15 °C, in a rich substrate that does not dry out, and raise the humidity around it, by misting or by standing it on a bed of damp clay pebbles.

A heated conservatory, a tropical greenhouse or a bright bathroom suits it better than a dry living room.

Will it produce pods at home?
It is very unlikely in our climate, and would take years of sustained tropical conditions. Here it is grown for the tree itself, its foliage and its botanical curiosity.

Why are its leaves turning brown at the edges?
Almost always because of a lack of air humidity, or a cold draught. This is the first symptom to watch for.

Can it live in a flat?
Yes, in a warm, bright room without direct sun, provided you look after the humidity. Dry air from heating is its main enemy.

How fast does it grow?
Slowly in the first years, then more steadily if its conditions are met.

Also worth exploring: our rare plants and our edible plants.