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.