The cocoa plant is quite demanding, not only in terms of light requirements or the prevailing temperature, but also the right watering and fertilizing. If you dare to take care of it, you will get a stately houseplant.

A cocoa plant needs to be as warm as possible

The ideal location

In its Brazilian homeland, the cocoa plant grows in semi-shade, but naturally gets much more light there than in a living room at home. The dark corner of the room is therefore not an ideal location for this exotic plant. A bright, friendly and year-round heated conservatory is much better. The temperature there should be constantly above 20 °C. Around 24 °C is ideal, up to 30 °C is possible.

In order to thrive, the cocoa plant also needs a fairly high level of humidity of around 75 to 90 percent. If the humidity is below 70 percent, then it is too dry for the cocoa plant. Foliar spraying is not a good way to keep the humidity constant, as it puts the delicate leaves of your cacao plant at risk of mold.

Plant and repot

The cocoa plant makes fewer demands on the soil than on its location. Just mix ordinary potting soil with some sand. However, the plant pot should be as deep as possible, because the cocoa plant develops a quite long taproot.

Water and fertilize the cocoa plant

Water your cacao plant regularly, it is very thirsty. From the first growth spurt in spring, give it fertilizer regularly, about every 7 to 14 days. Only after the second boost in late summer do you reduce the fertilization a little.

The cocoa plant in winter

In its homeland, the cocoa plant knows no seasons, and therefore no winter. It doesn't really need a hibernation, but it needs a different type of care. Reduce the watering and fertilizing a little, but without doing without it completely. But leave the cocoa plant in its original place.

The essentials in brief:

  • Location: bright to semi-shady and warm
  • ideal temperature: 24 °C
  • high humidity of at least 70%, preferably up to 90%
  • DO NOT put outside in summer
  • choose a high plant pot because of the long taproot
  • water regularly
  • fertilize all year round

tips

If you cannot provide a cocoa plant with the necessary living conditions, then refrain from buying it.

Category:

Vegetable garden