Bring another taste of the tropics to your garden with the Red Cashew Nut Tree. Its colorful cashew apples and distinctive hanging nuts make it a fascinating addition for gardeners who enjoy growing something beyond the familiar.
For anyone with fond memories of cashew fruit back on the island, this tree offers a connection to those flavors—and an opportunity to share them with the next generation.
Cashew Apple & Nut Appearance
The fleshy red cashew apple grows above a kidney-shaped, shell-covered nut. This evergreen tree develops a spreading canopy and attractive green foliage.
Cashew Apple Flavor & Uses
Ripe cashew apples are juicy, with sweetness and astringency that vary between trees. They can be enjoyed fresh or used for juice and preserves.
Important Nut-Handling Information
The attached nut requires specialized processing. Its shell contains caustic oil that can cause severe skin injury. UF/IFAS advises homeowners not to shell, roast, or consume homegrown cashew nuts. Wear gloves when separating the unshelled nut from the apple.
Red Cashew Tree Care
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Sunlight: Full sun.
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Soil: Well-drained soil.
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Watering: Water regularly during establishment; reduce as the tree matures.
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Mulching: Keep mulch away from the trunk.
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Fertilizing: Follow suitable fruit-tree fertilizer guidance and label rates.
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Pruning: Prune selectively after harvest.
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Spacing: Allow 15–20 feet or more from structures and other trees.
Growing Cashew in Florida
Cashew needs a frost-free tropical location. In Palm Bay, it is a challenging specialty tree requiring substantial winter protection—not a dependable choice for an exposed planting site.
Harvest Planning
South Florida trees commonly flower in spring, with cashew apples developing approximately 2½–3 months later. Timing varies, so confirm your tree’s local season before assigning harvest-month filters.
Plan Your Harvest Before You Plant.
Include climate suitability alongside harvest timing when designing your food forest. Record flowering and harvest dates in My Food Forest to build a useful calendar based on your own garden.
Grow what you eat. Eat what you grow.
Quick Growing Information
| Detail |
Information |
| Plant Name |
Red Cashew Nut Tree |
| Botanical Name |
Anacardium occidentale |
| Family |
Anacardiaceae |
| Origin |
Northeastern Brazil |
| Selection |
Red-fruited type; named cultivar unspecified |
| Tree Type |
Tropical evergreen |
| Mature Height |
Approximately 20–35 feet under favorable conditions |
| Fruit Appearance |
Red cashew apple with an attached shell-covered nut |
| Sunlight |
Full sun |
| Soil |
Well-drained |
| Water |
Regular during establishment |
| Pollination |
Pollinator activity supports fruit set; avoid promising guaranteed self-fertility |
| Bearing Age |
Seedlings commonly begin around 3–4 years |
| Harvest Timing |
Approximately 2½–3 months after flowering |
| Harvest Planner Months |
Confirm local observations before assigning |
| Cold Tolerance |
Frost-sensitive |
| Best For |
Frost-free tropical gardens |
| Nut Processing |
Specialized processing required; unsuitable for home shelling or roasting |
FAQ
Am I buying a tree or packaged cashew nuts?
This listing is for a live Red Cashew Nut Tree. Check the selected product option for its container size.
Does “red cashew” identify a specific cultivar?
Here, “red” describes the cashew apple’s color. A named cultivar is not specified unless included in the product options.
Can I grow this tree in Palm Bay?
Cashew requires frost-free conditions. Palm Bay gardeners should consider whether they can provide adequate winter protection before purchasing.
Can I crack and eat the attached nuts?
No. The shells contain caustic oil, and home processing is hazardous. This tree should not be purchased with the expectation of preparing its nuts at home.
Can I include cashew in my food forest?
Consider it only where climate and protection are suitable. Choose the planting location first, then use confirmed local harvest dates in your garden plan.
