Wild Cacao Plant Care

Wild Cacao (Herrania mariae) belongs to the Malvaceae family within the Herrania genus. Wild Cacao is native to Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and northern Brazil in tropical South America.

Wild Cacao displays a small to medium-sized tree growth habit, reaching up to 15 ft tall with a spread of approximately 10 ft. Wild Cacao produces showy, colorful flowers in shades of pink, purple, or white.

Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Wild Cacao every 7–10 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.

Wild Cacao thrives in partial shade to full sun.

Herrania mariae tolerates temperatures of 65–80°F. Wild Cacao prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.

Rich, well-draining soil with added organic matter like compost or peat moss. Good drainage is essential for Wild Cacao to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Wild Cacao every 6 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 partial shade to full sun and rich, well-draining soil with added organic matter like compost or peat moss. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Wild Cacao 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.

Wild Cacao can spread to about 10 ft (3 m) and reach about 15 ft (5 m) tall. Space plants about 10 ft (3 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 Wild Cacao 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.

Wild Cacao 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.

Wild Cacao can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to herrania balaensis plant care, which shares the same genus.

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

Wild Cacao is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, scale insects. 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.

Wild Cacao grows outdoors in USDA Zone 11a – 12b. It survives winters down to planting zone 11a. Wild Cacao is native to Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and northern Brazil in tropical South America. In cooler regions, grow Wild Cacao as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.