If you like eating cashew nuts, you might consider planting your own tree in the garden. However, the prospects for rich harvests in Germany are rather poor. Cashew trees need a tropical climate all year round to thrive.

Cashew trees need a tropical climate

The home of the cashew tree is Brazil. Today it is also cultivated in other tropical countries such as India, Thailand and Africa. In a good climate, the trees reach a height of 15 meters, although they rarely come close to the tallest cashew tree in the world.

The prevailing temperatures in Germany, especially in winter, are far too low for the tree. There is also a lack of the necessary high humidity.

If you have a heated greenhouse, you can try it there. The cashew tree will not grow very tall in it, but it cannot be ruled out that it will produce some fruit.

This is what you need to plant a cashew tree

  • Untreated kernels
  • Normal garden soil
  • Protected location
  • Deep, loose soil

Obtain fresh seeds for sowing

Cashew nuts from the store are not suitable for growing a cashew tree. The kernels are pre-treated because of their slight toxicity and no longer germinate.

You receive fresh seeds from the countries of origin. Get multiple cores.

Cashew nuts germinate very irregularly. You therefore need a lot of seeds if you want to grow a cashew tree in Germany.

Sow cashew nuts

Prepare larger pots with garden soil and plant at least three cores per pot.

Keep the pots warm and keep the soil moist. Gardening experts advise placing the pots in freezer bags.

After germination, place plants outdoors or in a greenhouse.

Protected location

The quality of the soil is not as important as a sheltered location where the temperatures do not fall below ten degrees.

When planting outdoors, you need to provide good winter protection in winter, which at the same time increases the humidity.

tips and tricks

The shell of the cashew fruit contains the toxic oil cardol, which causes severe irritation on skin contact. Therefore, only touch raw fruit with gloves and roast the pits before you eat them.

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