West Indian cashew Plant Care

West Indian cashew (Anacardium excelsum) belongs to the Anacardiaceae family within the Anacardium genus. West Indian cashew is native to Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela. West Indian cashew is also known as Elephant cashew, Jungle cashew.

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

Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.

Water a young or newly planted West Indian 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.

West Indian cashew thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Anacardium excelsum tolerates temperatures of 60–85°F. West Indian cashew prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

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

Feed West Indian 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.

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

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.

West Indian cashew is suited to USDA Zone 10b – 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.

West Indian 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.

Prune West Indian 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.

West Indian cashew is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 10). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

West Indian cashew can be propagated through seeds, air-layering, grafting. Similar propagation techniques also apply to anacardium curatellifolium plant care, which shares the same genus.

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

West Indian 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.

West Indian cashew grows outdoors in USDA Zone 10b – 12b. It survives winters down to planting zone 10b. West Indian cashew is native to Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela. In cooler regions, grow West Indian cashew as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.