MALABAR CHESTNUT
Botanical Name: Pachira glabraDescription
Other Names: Saba Nut
This medium sized fast growing tree is grown in many parts of the world. It is sometimes known as the Saba Nut and is grown mainly for its edible seeds; however it also makes a suitable potted indoor plant or outdoor specimen. The large white flowers are very fragrant, another reason to have it in the garden. Overall, this versatile tree is a handsome landscape addition The seeds can be eaten either raw or roasted. When roasted or fried in oil they taste like chestnuts or cashews, raw they taste like peanuts and keep for months in a cool, dry place. They can also be ground and used as a flour substitute when baking bread. The young leaves and flowers are cooked and delicious eaten as a vegetable. Production starts within a few years. The large, white, self-fertile flowers display spectacular clusters of 10cm cream-white stamens. The fruit is a woody green five-valved pod up to 30cm in length. The capsules that follow burst open when the seeds are ripe. The plant grows well in mild inland parts and coastal areas. The plant will tolerate brief exposure to low temperatures but won't tolerate frost. A frost-free location with some protection from hot, drying winds is the best choice for the plant. It will take full sun to partial shade. Malabar chestnuts are not overly fussy about soil as long as it is well drained. They are semi-deciduous.
Plant Information or Specifications
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Nutrition Fat High (#NutritionFatHigh), Ornamental Fruit Tree (#OrnamentalFruitTree)
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Preferred Climate
Tropical, Subtropical
Learn About Climate Zones
Seedling
Learn About Propagation Methods
Max Height (when in the ground with good conditions)
5-10m
Plants required to Pollinate
1 (Self Pollinating)
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Can it Handle Frosts?
Sometimes
Amount of leaves in Winter?
Some Leaves (Partly Deciduous)
Water Requirements
Moderate Watering
Is it a Dwarf Fruit Tree?
No (Full Size)
Time to Fruit/Flower/Harvest
4-5 Years
Sun or Shade
Full (Sun:80%-100%)
Preferred Soil Type
Poor Drainage (Clay)
Soil pH
Neutral (6.6-7.3pH)
Fruiting/Harvest Months
February, March, April
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Customer Comments on Malabar Chestnut
Tree Information on growing, planting, pruning, maintenance, ripening, taste, pick or bonsai tips. But mainly how to grow a Malabar Chestnut Share Your Advice or ask questions on our Forum
Malabar Chestnut
Mistakenly chopped down, growing back well ,also grown from the seed, which have a nicer flavour than peanuts. Yet to try the flowers or leaves. Growning in partial shade. | Mark - Caboolture, QLD 28-Jul-2013
Malabar Chestnut
Nice for shades on garden, edible fruits are so tasty | Rogelio - Iloilo, PHIL. 02-Aug-2015
Malabar Chestnut
Malabar chestnut will tolerate frost inland from bundaberg qld. We had a few cracker frosts this year and absolutely no damage. The tree is 10 feet tall and is flowering at this time. | Russell Drinkwater - Eidsvold, QLD 06-Sep-2015
Malabar Chestnut
I ate those nuts (fruit of Malabar Chestnut) on the most remote island Rapa in French Polynesia. One of the best tasting nuts I've ever tried. I will plant those trees now in Australia in my own backyard. Hopefully they will grow nicely. | John Cobb - East Hills, NSW 31-Jan-2018
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