Macacauba Plant Care

Macacauba (Platymiscium parviflorum) belongs to the Fabaceae family within the Platymiscium genus. Macacauba is native to Central America: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. Macacauba is also known as Hormigo.

Macacauba displays a tall canopy tree growth habit, reaching up to 50 ft tall with a spread of approximately 30 ft. Macacauba produces small clusters of yellow or white flowers.

Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Macacauba 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.

Macacauba thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Platymiscium parviflorum tolerates temperatures of 65–85°F. Macacauba prefers humidity levels of 50–80%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.

Well-draining loamy soil with added organic matter for moisture retention. Good drainage is essential for Macacauba to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Macacauba 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 full sun to partial shade and well-draining loamy soil with added organic matter for moisture retention. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Macacauba is suited to USDA Zone 13b.

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.

Macacauba can spread to about 30 ft (9.1 m) and reach about 50 ft (15 m) tall. Space plants about 30 ft (9.1 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 Macacauba 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.

Macacauba is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 13). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Macacauba can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to macacauba plant care, which shares the same genus.

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Macacauba is susceptible to aphids, leaf miners, 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.

Macacauba grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13b. It survives winters down to planting zone 13b. Macacauba is native to Central America: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. In cooler regions, grow Macacauba as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.