Shea butter tree
Vitellaria paradoxa · Sapotaceae
The gardener's calendar
In autumn, ease off feeding and take the chance to clean up around shea butter tree and prepare for winter.
ID card
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Flowering
- Spring (April-May)
- Adult size
- 10 to 15 m in height
- Growth
- Slow
- Hardiness
- Non-hardy, tropical to subtropical climate
- Origin
- West and Central Africa
- Soil type
- Well-drained, rich in organic matter
Care
Light Exposure
Place your shea tree in full sun for optimal growth and satisfactory fruit production. Sunny exposure also promotes flowering and fruit development. In temperate continental climates, grow it in a greenhouse or heated conservatory.
Watering
Keep the soil regularly moist during the growing season, but without creating waterlogging. During dry periods, water deeply and allow the soil to dry slightly between waterings. Reduce watering in winter or during dormancy.
Soil
Use fertile substrate rich in organic matter, light and well-drained. A mixture of potting soil, compost and coarse sand works well. Avoid compacted or chalky soils which would cause nutrient deficiencies.
Fertilizing
Apply a balanced fertilizer in spring and summer during the active growth phase. Favor a light formulation to avoid over-stimulating vegetation. In its natural climate, the tree benefits from mineral inputs from rich soil.
Pruning
Pruning is generally not necessary except to remove dead or poorly oriented branches. When grown in pots or greenhouses, you can prune lightly after flowering to maintain a harmonious and compact shape.
Pests and Diseases
In tropical climates, the tree may be subject to leaf fungi in case of excessive humidity. Ensure good ventilation and avoid wetting the foliage. Scale insects may also appear: treat with soapy water if necessary.
Did you know?
The shea tree is one of the most precious plants of West Africa: its fruit produces a fatty pulp rich in unsaturated fatty acids, used for centuries by local populations and now world-famous as shea butter, a key ingredient in cosmetics and cooking. A mature tree can produce 20 to 30 kg of fruit per year and live for several centuries.
Where to buy it
Best planted in autumn so the roots settle in before summer, or in early spring once the frost has passed. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, October, November.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
- Spanish cherryMimusops elengi
- SapodillaManilkara zapota
- Gum bullySideroxylon lanuginosum
- Fig treeFicus carica
- Japanese mapleAcer palmatum
- RosemarySalvia rosmarinus
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.