Wild Cashew Plant Care

Wild Cashew (Semecarpus obovatus) belongs to the Anacardiaceae family within the Semecarpus genus. Wild Cashew is native to Sri Lanka. Wild Cashew is also known as Marañón de Costa Rica, Cayo.

Wild Cashew displays a medium-sized tree growth habit, reaching up to 30 ft tall with a spread of approximately 20 ft. Wild Cashew produces small greenish-yellow flowers in clusters.

Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Wild 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.

Wild Cashew thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Semecarpus obovatus tolerates temperatures of 60–85°F. Wild Cashew prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

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

Feed Wild Cashew 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 sandy loam with added organic matter. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Wild 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.

Wild 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 Wild 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.

Wild 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.

Wild Cashew can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to burmese marking nut plant care, which shares the same genus.

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

Wild Cashew is susceptible to aphids, scale insects, mites. 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 Cashew grows outdoors in USDA Zone 11a – 12b. It survives winters down to planting zone 11a. Wild Cashew is native to Sri Lanka. In cooler regions, grow Wild Cashew as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.