Cacao
Theobroma cacao
- Native to:
- Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guam, Guyana, Palau, Peru, Suriname, Venezuela
Aztec, 1440-1521
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Malvaceae
- Genus:
- Theobroma
- Species:
- Theobroma cacao
- USDA Symbol:
- THCA
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Tree
- Height:
- 1500 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Part Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- jan,feb,mar,apr,may,jun,jul,aug,sep,oct,nov,dec
- Bloom Colors:
- white, pink
- Food Forest:
- Contains edible parts
Wildlife Benefits
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★★★★★ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★★☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
almond moth (Cadra cautella), Cacao moth (Ephestia elutella), Ecdytolopha nr. aurantianum, Indian meal moth (Plodia interpunctella), Mussidia nigrivenella, rice moth (Corcyra cephalonica)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, mammals
- Fragrant:
- Yes
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.0 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- prefers soils with high organic matter
Propagation & Germination
- Germination Time:
- 14–28 days
- Notes:
- Seeds are recalcitrant and must be planted fresh; germination occurs in 2-4 weeks under warm, moist conditions.