Amapa cashew Plant Care

Anacardium amapaense J.D.Mitch.

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

Anacardium amapaense is a striking plant known for its unique heart-shaped leaves with vibrant green coloration and red veins, making it a standout in any collection. Native to the rainforests of Brazil, this plant is popular among enthusiasts for its ornamental appeal and easy care requirements.

🌳Trees🌿Shrubs
Water

Every 7–14 days

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Temp

60–85°F

Humidity

40–70%

At a glance

How do you care for Amapa cashew?

Plant Amapa cashew in full sun to partial shade (USDA zones 11a–12b) and water a young tree every 7–14 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 60–85°F (16–29°C). Fertilize it every 8 months during the growing season. It is reported as toxic to pets, so keep it out of reach of pets.

What Is the Amapa cashew?

Amapa cashew (Anacardium amapaense) belongs to the Anacardiaceae family within the Anacardium genus. Amapa cashew is native to Brazil.

Amapa cashew displays a tall, spreading tree growth habit, reaching up to 30 ft tall with a spread of approximately 20 ft. Amapa cashew produces small yellow or greenish flowers in clusters.

Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Amapa cashew?

Water a young or newly planted Amapa cashew every 7–14 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established trees mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Watering Frequency

Every 7–14 days

Until established; then in dry spells

What Light Does the Amapa cashew Need?

Amapa cashew thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Light Requirement

Full sun to partial shade

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Amapa cashew Prefer?

Anacardium amapaense tolerates temperatures of 60–85°F. Amapa cashew prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Temperature

60–85°F

Humidity

40–70%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Amapa cashew?

Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Amapa cashew to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

How Often Should You Fertilize a Amapa cashew?

Feed Amapa cashew every 8 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established trees in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

Fertilizing

Every 8 months

During the growing season

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Where Should You Plant a Amapa cashew?

Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Amapa cashew is suited to USDA Zone 11a – 12b.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped trees in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

How Far Apart Should You Plant a Amapa cashew?

Amapa cashew can spread to about 20 ft (6.1 m) and reach about 30 ft (9 m) tall. Space plants about 20 ft (6.1 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the tree spacing calculator.

How Do You Prune a Amapa cashew?

Prune Amapa cashew while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the tree in one year.

How Do You Care for a Amapa cashew in Winter?

Amapa cashew is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 11). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

How Do You Propagate a Amapa cashew?

Amapa cashew can be propagated through seeds, air-layering, grafting. Similar propagation techniques also apply to west indian cashew plant care, which shares the same genus.

Is the Amapa cashew Toxic to Pets and Children?

Toxic (caution)

Reported as toxic in our plant data. Not verified by the ASPCA.

Toxic sap can cause skin irritation, seeds are toxic if ingested

This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

What Pests and Diseases Affect the Amapa cashew?

Amapa cashew is susceptible to scale insects, mites, caterpillars. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Amapa cashew Need?

Amapa cashew grows outdoors in USDA Zone 11a – 12b. It survives winters down to planting zone 11a. Amapa cashew is native to Brazil. In cooler regions, grow Amapa cashew as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 11a – 12b

Keep exploring plants

Amapa cashew is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.

It belongs to the Anacardium genus — compare its care with other Anacardium species on PlantoScan.

Anacardium is part of the Anacardiaceae plant family — browse all Anacardiaceae genera and species.

Amapa cashew thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.

Related Plant Care Guides

Closely related plants with similar care requirements:

Sources

  • Scientific name & taxonomy: Anacardium amapaense J.D.Mitch., family Anacardiaceae (first published in Brittonia 44: 331 (1992)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Amapa cashew is reported as toxic to pets in our plant data (not verified by the ASPCA), so treat it with caution. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
  • Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 11a – 12b, estimated from the plant's typical growing conditions.
  • Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.

Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.

PlantoScan app icon

Identify Plants Like the
Amapa cashew Instantly

Scan any plant with your phone camera and get instant ID, care tips, water and fertilizer reminders, and health checks — all in one app.

Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play

Free

to download

iOS & Android

platforms

Light & dark

mode

100,000+

species