If you are a chocoholic, learning how to Grow a Cacao Tree in a Pot can be the perfect weekend task to satisfy your chocolate cravings!
Cacao trees can be a little touchy when grown in a non-native environment. However, you can try your hand if you wish to challenge your gardening skills and learn new things on the go. Get the details below on how to grow a Cacao Tree in a Pot and harvest this exotic fruit right in your garden!
Cacao Tree
Native to the Amazon rainforest and Orinoco River basins, cacao trees are evergreen species with oblong leaves that produce cocoa beans, which are processed to make cocoa powder, cocoa solids, cocoa butter, and more. The fruit appears on the tree when it is 5-6 feet tall, and container-grown plants produce 3-4 chocolate pods. The fruit ripens in 5-6 months; after that, once the fruits are 4-8 inches long they can be harvested.
Whereas the Cacao grows to a height of 20-40 feet in its native place, it can grow in pots to 5-7 feet.
Botanical Name: Theobroma cacao
USDA Zone: 11-13
How to Grow Cacao Tree in Pot?
New plants grow from cocoa pods containing clusters of cocoa seeds grow into matured trees in 3-5 years. The process is challenging but worth the effort:
- Get fresh cocoa pods from a local nursery or online stores. Ensure the pods are new and unopened as the gummy seeds inside are prone to rot once the pods crack.
- Cut open the pod with a knife and take out the fleshy white pulp containing the seeds. Remove the seeds by hand and wash them thoroughly in lukewarm water to clean any residue.
- Now, wrap the seeds in a wet paper or towel and store them in a zip packet. Mist the paper/towel with lukewarm water every alternate day to maintain the required moisture. This process will provide the perfect warmth and humidity for the seeds to germinate.
- The seeds will germinate in 5-7 days. Once they do, sow the healthy seedlings with 2-3 true leaves 1/2 inch deep in a well-draining potting mix [one seedling per pot].
- Now, place the plant in a warm, humid spot under the canopy of trees to receive indirect sunlight all day.
- Provide the plant with the proper growing conditions, and you can enjoy matured fruiting in 3-5 years, which can then be dried and crushed to make your favorite snack.
Note: If you’re a novice gardener, get your hands on healthy seedlings to increase the chances of proper plant growth.
Requirements of Growing Cacao Tree in Pot
The warm and humid origin of the plants make them a little picky to grow in pots, but they do grow well in the greenhouse and other suitable conditions:
Light
A chocolate plant thrives in a warm environment where temperatures remain above 60°F. Ideally with higher temperatures during the day and access to good quality light, which includes some direct sunlight. A large, south-facing window, sunroom, greenhouse, or conservatory would be ideal locations. Additionally, the plant can benefit from being outdoors during the summer.
Soil
Cacao needs well-draining, nutrient-rich soil with pH 5-6 to grow ideally. The potting mix should comprise 50% sand, 30% soil, and 20% manure. You can also add a little silt to make the medium more friable. Sandy, loamy soil is the best bet for growing a cacao tree in a pot.
Note: Cacao has long taproots, so get a big pot with 2-3 holes to promote proper drainage.
Water
Use water sprays rather than pouring water directly into your plants. Water sprays will ensure the medium stays moist and well-drained. Keep a close eye on the top layer and let it dry a little between water sprays.
Temperature
Cacao grows best at 65-85 degrees F [18-30 degrees C]. It is easy to maintain in the summer days, but you’d need to bring the plant indoors during the colder months. Place it at a spot with delicate filtered light after getting it in.
Keep the plant away from AC vents or sudden drafts, as temperature fluctuations can affect its growth.
Humidity
The cacao tree prefers high humidity. It needs an 80-100% humid atmosphere to thrive, which is why the spot under the canopy of tall trees is its perfect dwelling place.
Place a humidifier near the plant or make a greenhouse to grow. You can also cover the plant with a plastic bag until it is small enough to fit in. Mist larger plants with lukewarm water every alternate day during extremely dry seasons.
Cacao Tree Care in Pots
Fertilizer
Aerate the topsoil with well-rotten manure once a month to provide the perfect blend of all. You can also use a balanced fertilizer, diluted to 1/4 of its strength, once in 2 months during the growing period.
Note: Feed the plant in its growing season from late spring to fall.
Pests & Diseases
The plant is prone to several pests, including black pods, swollen shoot viruses, board mites, and caterpillars. To keep them at bay, spray neem oil with a soap solution or any organic insecticide regularly.
To keep it safe from most of the potential diseases, avoid overwatering it.
