Macadamia Nut Tree (Macadamia integrifolia)

Believe it or not you can grow your own macadamia nuts in a large pot or in gardens in tropical zones. Macadamia integrifolia, the smooth shelled variety and commercially grown macadamia nut, is native to Australia. It will flower and fruit in a large container by the time it reaches about 3’ feet tall. Long chains of light pink flowers bloom in spring and early summer and are intensely fragrant. After flowering, green round fruit hangs on the tree and the husks darken when they are ready for harvest. Once they are dried, the outer husks crack open to reveal the brown shell of the tasty, white nut. Macadamia nuts are healthy and delicious, and they have a high percentage of heart-healthy, monounsaturated fat. One important note: Macadamia Nut Trees are extremely sensitive to phosphorous, so fertilizer needs to be phosphorous free. These plants are grown by air-layering a branch from the mother tree. Plants grown by air layering will bear nuts sooner.