How to Grow a Cacao Tree

The cacao tree's dried seeds are the basis for cocoa.

The cacao tree is the source of cocoa or chocolate and is also known scientifically as Theobroma cacao. The cacao is a relatively small tree that originated in the shade of larger trees in the regions along the Amazon River. Today the West Africans, notably the Nigerians, Ghanians and farmers along the Ivory coast raise most of the world's supply of cacao trees. The seeds, if harvested fresh, will sprout into new plants as long as the temperature stays around 80 degrees Fahrenheit and there is plenty of humidity and rainfall.

Things You'll Need

• Cacao pod
• Sharp knife
• Peat moss
• Perlite
• 8-oz. peat pot

Instructions

1. Open the fresh cacao pod to expose the seeds covered with the thick, white sweet material.

2. Pull the seeds out of the pod and remove the white layer with a sharp knife, being careful not to damage the seed inside.

3. Fill an 8-oz. peat pot with a mixture of equal parts of dampened peat moss and perlite.

4. Place the still-moist seed into the planting mixture, covering it with an inch of damp soil. Tamp the soil slightly to make sure the seed makes good contact with the surface of the seed.

5. Water the peat pot with about 4 oz. of water and set it in a warm, 80-degree spot out of direct sunlight where it should sprout after a week. Water every day to make sure the soil never dries out.

6. Transplant the seedlings to a shady spot where you should space them about 8 feet apart from other plants.

7. Water every day or as often as necessary to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged.

References

• Delange.org: Cacao Trees, Theobroma Cacao
• Purdue University: Theobroma Cacao L.