Cashew

Anacardium occidentale

Origin: UF/IFAS: northeastern Brazil

Frost tender

Pet & Human Safety

People: Skin irritant to peoplePets: Not on the ASPCA lists as we read them

Human edibility

Edible

Edible parts

cashew apple (ripe fruit)

Hazardous parts

raw nut shell, sap of wood, leaves and flowers, smoke from burning any part

Preparation

UF/IFAS: take great care handling raw nuts; the shell contains a poisonous caustic oil. Do not burn any part of the tree.

Hazard type

caustic shell oil (vesicant), sap dermatitis

Hazard route

skin contact and inhalation

How complete this information is

The safety information on this page is partial. Where a source covers a point, it is shown; where none does, the page says so.

Toxic to pets

No ASPCA entry found.

No source we checked assesses this plant for pets, so the app makes no pet claim either way.

Look-alike warning

Could be mistaken for Plants that share its name. To tell them apart: Cashew is in the same family as poison ivy, poison sumac and mango; the shell oil is the relevant hazard..

Poison control

If someone has collapsed, cannot be woken, is having a seizure or has trouble breathing, call 911 now. For any other possible poisoning, call Poison Help: 1-800-222-1222.

Emergency number source: U.S. federal law (47 U.S.C. § 251(e)(3)), read 2026-10-07.

Naturalist Lore

Historical Background & Breeding Lore

The history of this plant and its name, and how it was bred, where we have them.

Get the app: coming soon

Care

Hardiness zones: Not checked yet
Water needs: UF/IFAS HS377: trees are drought tolerant, but production is improved if soil moisture is provided during fruit set. Young trees are watered at planting and every other day for the first 7 to 10 days, then 1 to 2 times a week for the first couple of months.
Family: Anacardiaceae (sumac or cashew family)

Soil & Drainage

Pruning & Flush Rhythm

Feeding Schedule

How to prepare the soil, when and what to feed, and how and when to prune where that applies.

Get the app: coming soon