Q&A for How to Grow Cashews

Like most nuts and seeds, they’re good for you in moderation. Roasted and salted cashews may contain high levels of added fat and sodium, which aren’t good for you if you eat too much of them. Additionally, cashews naturally contain chemicals called phytates that can make it harder for you to absorb certain vitamins and minerals. You can offset those effects by soaking the cashews overnight before eating them or adding them to your food. Don’t eat cashews if you’re allergic to other types of tree nuts (such as almonds, pecans, or pistachios).

Only in areas with tropical climates, like southern Florida, Puerto Rico, and Hawaii. Most of the continental U.S. gets too cold in the winter for cashews to survive.

In a warm, tropical climate with well-draining, sandy soil, cashews are pretty easy to grow. They’ll need fertilizer during the growing season (when they’re flowering and growing nuts), and you’ll need to water them occasionally during dry periods to keep the soil from drying out.

Sure, as long as it’s humid, warm or sunny, you can grow cashews. (If grown correctly.)

You can start cashew seeds in a large vase or pot to germinate. However, cashew trees naturally grow quite large, up to 10–12 meters (30–40 feet), so growing one as a dwarf in a container is challenging. While careful pruning and container management might keep it smaller, it typically won’t fruit as well or as reliably as a tree planted in the ground, as cashews need ample space for roots and good sunlight. If grown well, a cashew tree usually takes 3 to 5 years to start fruiting, though fruiting may be delayed or reduced in a pot. For best results, you should transplant it to open soil once the seedling is strong enough.

Yes. The climate in many parts of the country, especially coastal and lowland areas, is suitable for cultivation. Cashew trees prefer warm temperatures (25–35°C), well-drained sandy or loamy soils, and 1,000–2,000 mm of annual rainfall with a distinct dry season for flowering. They typically start producing nuts in 3–5 years and thrive in moderate humidity with protection from strong winds. Coastal regions like Kilifi and Kwale already have established cashew farming.

Yes, you can successfully grow cashews in Tamil Nadu. The region's warm climate, moderate rainfall, and distinct dry season are ideal for cultivation. Red soil is suitable, provided it is well-drained, as cashews do not tolerate waterlogging. Adding organic matter can further enhance soil fertility and moisture retention.

Yes, you can grow cashew trees in parts of Texas, particularly in southern and coastal areas with warm, frost-free climates. Cashews thrive with warm temperatures (ideally above 25°C / 77°F), frost-free conditions, well-drained soil, and a distinct dry season for flowering. While they can succeed in places like South Texas, colder or northern parts of the state may struggle due to frost. For better success, consider starting them in pots and moving them indoors during winter.

The cashew tree sprouts from the seed found within the hard cashew nut shell; when planted, this seed germinates underground and grows into a new tree. Regarding worms, certain insects or larvae can infest cashew nuts, particularly if they are stored improperly or left on the ground. For instance, pests like the cashew nut borer lay eggs inside, with their larvae feeding on the kernel. You can prevent this by ensuring proper harvesting, drying, and storage.

In Northern Iraq, the best time to plant cashew seeds or seedlings is early spring, typically from March to April, after the last frost. This allows the young plants to establish before the hot summer. Given that cashews prefer warm, frost-free environments, you will need to protect young plants from frost during colder winters, especially in their first 2-3 years. Consider planting them in a sheltered spot or in large containers that can be moved indoors.

Yes, cashews can grow in zone 10 as they thrive in warm climates, ideally where temperatures do not drop below 50°F.

Cashews can take 4 days to 3 weeks to germinate, depending on the conditions and type.

It doesn't really matter which way the seed is planted. It should still germinate and grow healthily.

Not really. Cashew is a tropical tree that does not support freezing temperatures.

As long as it’s humid and warm, yes, you should be able to grow cashews just fine.

Yes, since Uganda has a warm, tropical climate, cashews should grow just fine.

Yes, since Malawi is typically a humid and tropical climate, you should be able to grow healthy cashews.

Botswana is typically scorching hot and dry and cashews grow best in a tropical climate. You could try, but it might be extremely difficult, if not impossible.

Cashew trees are expected to start growing nuts in 2-3 years, but after that, they can grow up to 30-50 years of age.

Yes, you can grow them in a pot or a bucket. Larger pots or buckets (10-20 gallons) will most likely work better.

Cashews grow best in hot, wet climates. When growing cashews, make sure the temperature doesn’t drop anywhere below 50°F, or 10°C.

Depending on the area of South Africa, yes. According to the Agricultural Department of the National Development Agency, cashew trees grow best along the western coast, in areas such as Empangeni and Hluhluwe. Interior areas, such as Hoedspruit and Malelane are also ideal areas for optimal growth.

Cashews are a high value confectionery nut, and the most nuts found in the market are imported from Kenya, South Africa, or Tanzania as there are no serious cashew nut processors or growers in Uganda.

Unfortunately, cashews are not cultivated in Pakistan, though it is being successfully cultivated in other regions akin to our warm areas.

The cashew seeds are approximately seven dollars when you buy them on Amazon. Depending on where you buy them from, the price may be a bit more or less than that.

The cashew is technically not a nut; it is a seed harvested from the cashew apple, the fruit produced by cashew trees. Unlike many other nuts and seeds, the cashew grows outside the fruit instead of inside, within a kidney-shaped drupe that hangs at the end of the cashew apple's base