Cashew Tree Care Tips: How to Grow a Cashew Tree

A cashew tree (*Anacardium occidentale*) is an evergreen tree and nut tree belonging to the *Anacardiaceae* family. It is native to northeastern Brazil and southeastern Venezuela in South America. Portuguese colonists named the cashew tree “caju” when they found it and started exporting it in the sixteenth century. The English name for the cashew tree derives from this name. Cashew trees now grow in other tropical and warm climates around the world, including India, Africa, Southeast Asia. The fruit of the cashew tree (known in Central America as “marañón”) grows from the flowers’ pedicels. Cashew fruits are commonly called cashew apples and are commonly used in jams and jellies, though they are technically an accessory fruit rather than a true fruit. Mature trees also produce cashew seeds, which are actually the tree’s distinctive cashew nuts. The cashew nut is high in calcium, vitamin C, and carbohydrates. Cashew nuts belong to the same family as the pistachio nut and are useful for making creamy nut butter . Taking care of a cashew tree is easy if you know some simple growers’ tips. 1. __Grow your cashew tree in a warm climate__. Cashew trees grow best in USDA [hardiness zones](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/guide-to-planting-zones) ten and eleven. 2. __Sow seeds or plant a young tree__. Choose fresh cashew seeds to sow for germination. Growing from seeds is a slower process and it may take up to five years for your cashew tree to yield fruit. For a faster growing process, buy a potted cashew tree from a garden center. 3. __Expose your cashew tree to full sun__. Provide at least six hours of daily direct sunlight for maximum growth of these fruit trees. Cashew trees that get too much shade tend to produce fewer cashew seeds. 4. __Use sandy soil__. Cashew trees thrive in sandy soils with a moderate pH level of approximately six. Avoid clay soils and dense soils as these retain too much water. Cashew trees do best in well-draining soil. 5. __Water your tree according to the season__. Water your tree deeply in the summer and sparingly in the winter. Allow the soil to dry completely between periods of watering, as overwatering can destroy cashew trees. 6. __Fertilize your cashew tree__. Use a phosphorus-rich fertilizer every other month during the growing season. Add a layer of compost or organic mulch for an extra nutrient boost. 7. __Be aware of pest issues__. Borer pests are some of the most common pests to afflict the cashew tree. A swollen stem is one indication that your cashew tree has borers, which can start as early as the seedling stage. Prune infested branches or use a bark spray to resolve borer problems. 8. __Take care when handling raw cashews and cashew nutshells__. Cashew trees belong to the same family as poison ivy and the shell liquid of cashew seeds is a type of caustic oil that can cause skin irritation or allergic reactions when improperly handled. Use thick gardening gloves to protect your hands. Grow your own garden with Ron Finley, the self-described "Gangster Gardener." Get the [MasterClass Annual Membership](https://www.masterclass.com/) and learn how to cultivate fresh herbs and vegetables, keep your house plants alive, and use compost to make your community - and the world - a better place. Cashew trees bear cashew nuts, which are excellent for making your own cashew butter at home. Learn how to grow a cashew tree for nutritional and ornamental purposes.