Shea Butter Tree Plant Care

Shea Butter Tree (Vitellaria paradoxa) belongs to the Sapotaceae family within the Vitellaria genus. Shea Butter Tree is native to Africa. Shea Butter Tree is also known as Shea Tree, Bambuk.

Shea Butter Tree displays a tall, spreading tree growth habit, reaching up to 50 ft tall with a spread of approximately 30 ft. Shea Butter Tree produces small, greenish-yellow flowers in clusters.

Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Shea Butter Tree 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.

Shea Butter Tree thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Vitellaria paradoxa tolerates temperatures of 65–85°F. Shea Butter Tree prefers humidity levels of 50–80%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.

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

Feed Shea Butter Tree 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 organic matter. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Shea Butter Tree 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.

Shea Butter Tree 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 Shea Butter Tree 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.

Shea Butter Tree 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.

Shea Butter Tree can be propagated through seeds, air layering. Similar propagation techniques also apply to nilotica shea butter tree plant care, which shares the same genus.

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

Shea Butter Tree is susceptible to mealybugs, scale insects, spider 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.

Shea Butter Tree grows outdoors in USDA Zone 10b – 12b. It survives winters down to planting zone 10b. Shea Butter Tree is native to Africa. In cooler regions, grow Shea Butter Tree as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.