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Plant care

Camu Camu (Cacari) care

Myrciaria dubia

Also called Camu Camu, Cacari, Camucamu.

RHS H1aUSDA 10b–12Pet-safeIndoor 2–8 m tall (6–26 ft)

Watering rhythm

2-4days

Every 2–4 days; keep consistently moist to wet

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Light

Bright indirect light (just back from a sunny window)

Soil

Acidic, humus-rich, moisture-retentive loam; tolerates waterlogged, seasonally flooded conditions

Humidity

70–95% RH

Temp

22–35°C

Pet safety

Pet-safe

Mature size

2–8 m tall (6–26 ft)

Care at a glance

Light

In the wild camu camu grows on the bright edge of a forest canopy, not in the canopy and not in the open. Indoors, that translates to within a metre of an unobstructed window, sheer curtain optional. In its native habitat it grows along riverbanks and in flooded forest with variable light — from dappled light under canopy to open riverbank sun. In cultivation, bright filtered light to full morning sun (5–6 hours) is optimal. Protect from harsh, dry afternoon sun, especially in low-humidity environments. Tolerates more shade than most fruiting trees. The fastest test: a hand held at the leaf casts a soft-edged shadow at noon — sharp shadow means too much sun, no shadow means too little light.

Watering

Aim for every 2–4 days; keep consistently moist to wet for camu camu, but treat that as a starting point rather than a rule. A south-facing summer windowsill will dry the pot twice as fast as a north-facing winter room. Lift the pot; if it feels noticeably lighter than it did wet, water it. Uniquely adapted to Amazonian floodplain conditions — tolerates periodic flooding of roots for extended periods. In cultivation, consistently moist to wet soil is required and should never be allowed to dry out. Growing near a water feature, in a bog-like container, or with daily watering is ideal. Unlike most fruit trees, waterlogging is tolerated and even beneficial.

Soil and pot

Camu Camu grows best in acidic, humus-rich, moisture-retentive loam; tolerates waterlogged, seasonally flooded conditions. Requires acidic soil (pH 4.0–6.0) matching its Amazonian floodplain origin. Thrives in organic-matter-rich, moisture-retentive soils. Unlike almost all other cultivated fruit trees, it tolerates and even thrives with periodic waterlogging. Avoid alkaline, sandy, or well-draining soils that dry out quickly. A pot with a working drainage hole is non-negotiable for this species — even free-draining mix will turn soggy in a closed planter. If you love the look of a decorative pot without a hole, use it as a cachepot around an inner nursery pot you can lift out to water.

Humidity and temperature

Camu Camu sits happiest at around 70–95% RH humidity and 22–35°C (72–95°F). Native to the Amazon basin — one of the most humid regions on Earth. Demands consistently high humidity. In drier climates, growing near water, in a humid greenhouse, or with misting systems is necessary. Low humidity causes stress, leaf scorch, and severely reduced fruit production. Not suited to Mediterranean or semi-arid conditions without significant humidity modification. If you keep the room above 22–35°C year-round and avoid placing the plant near a cold draught, a hot radiator, or an air-conditioning vent, you have already handled the two biggest indoor stressors.

Fertilising

Feed camu camu sparingly. Apply a balanced acidic fertiliser (suitable for blueberries or acid-loving tropical plants) monthly during the growing season. Supplement with chelated iron and micronutrients if chlorosis appears on alkaline or low-fertility soils. Organic matter (leaf mould, peat, composted bark) incorporated into soil and as mulch supports the nutrient needs. Avoid high-phosphorus formulas. Skip fertiliser entirely on a stressed, recently-repotted, or actively wilting plant — fertiliser salts make damage worse, not better. Wait for a round of healthy new growth before resuming a feeding rhythm.

Common problems

Below are the issues we see most often on camu camu in the Growli community. Each is annotated with the most common cause so you know where to start.

  • Failure to establish in alkaline or dry soils — Camu Camu is highly sensitive to alkaline soils and dry conditions — both will cause rapid decline. Test soil pH and correct to 4.5–6.0 with sulphur before planting. Maintain consistently moist soil and high humidity. This is the most common reason for failure in cultivation outside the Amazon basin.
  • Myrtle rust (Puccinia psidii) — As a Myrtaceae member, Camu Camu is susceptible to Myrtle rust, a globally spreading fungal pathogen causing orange-yellow pustules on young growth. Remove infected material, apply copper or triazole fungicides preventatively, and avoid moving potentially infected plant material between properties.
  • Fruit fly infestation — Ripe fruits are attractive to Anastrepha and Ceratitis fruit flies, causing premature drop and internal rot. In commercial trials, fruit bagging is the most effective control. In gardens, protein-bait traps and prompt harvesting at colour change reduce losses.

Propagation

Seeds are the primary propagation method — sow fresh (viability declines within days of extraction), in acidic, moist substrate at 25–30°C; germination occurs in 3–6 weeks. Seeds should not be dried. Air-layering is used to produce true-to-type, faster-fruiting plants. Stem cuttings have been trialled with moderate success using rooting hormone and high-humidity chambers. Grafting onto related Myrciaria rootstock is being explored commercially in Peru and Brazil. Propagation is the cheapest, most satisfying way to expand a collection — and it doubles as insurance against losing a mature plant to an accident. Take a backup cutting once the parent is established and healthy.

Toxicity to pets

Camu Camu is pet-safe. Myrciaria dubia (Camu Camu) is not individually listed by ASPCA. It belongs to Myrtaceae, a family with no widely documented toxic principles for companion animals. The fruit is consumed by humans and Amazonian wildlife without reported toxicity. Extremely high vitamin C content (up to 3,000 mg/100 g) means large consumption could theoretically cause gastrointestinal upset in pets, but the fruit is not considered toxic. Considered non-toxic. If you keep cats, dogs, or curious children in the house, weigh placement carefully — a high shelf or a hanging planter is enough for casual safety. For severe ingestion incidents, call your local vet and the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (in the US, 888-426-4435).

Pet-safety status is sourced from the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, which catalogues the most-asked-about plants for cats, dogs, and horses.

Camu Camu care — frequently asked questions

What is the common name for Myrciaria dubia?

Myrciaria dubia is most commonly called Camu Camu, but it is also known as Camu Camu, Cacari, Camucamu. The names refer to the same species, so care instructions for Camu Camu apply identically to anything sold as Cacari.

How much light does camu camu need?

Camu Camu grows best in bright indirect light (just back from a sunny window). In its native habitat it grows along riverbanks and in flooded forest with variable light — from dappled light under canopy to open riverbank sun. In cultivation, bright filtered light to full morning sun (5–6 hours) is optimal. Protect from harsh, dry afternoon sun, especially in low-humidity environments. Tolerates more shade than most fruiting trees.

How often should I water camu camu?

Water camu camu every 2–4 days; keep consistently moist to wet. Uniquely adapted to Amazonian floodplain conditions — tolerates periodic flooding of roots for extended periods. In cultivation, consistently moist to wet soil is required and should never be allowed to dry out. Growing near a water feature, in a bog-like container, or with daily watering is ideal. Unlike most fruit trees, waterlogging is tolerated and even beneficial. The finger-test (or lifting the pot to feel its weight) beats a fixed weekly calendar because pot size, light, and season all change how fast the soil dries.

Is camu camu toxic to cats and dogs?

Camu Camu is pet-safe. Myrciaria dubia (Camu Camu) is not individually listed by ASPCA. It belongs to Myrtaceae, a family with no widely documented toxic principles for companion animals. The fruit is consumed by humans and Amazonian wildlife without reported toxicity. Extremely high vitamin C content (up to 3,000 mg/100 g) means large consumption could theoretically cause gastrointestinal upset in pets, but the fruit is not considered toxic. Considered non-toxic.

What USDA hardiness zone does camu camu grow in?

Camu Camu is rated for USDA zone 10b–12 and RHS hardiness H1a. Outside that range, grow it as a container plant that overwinters indoors before the first hard frost.

Camu Camu deep-dive guides

Every aspect of camu camu care, each with its own calibrated guide:

Featured in these plant shortlists

Camu Camu qualifies for 9 curated Growli shortlists — each one filtered objectively from our structured plant-care library, so the selection is consistent and checkable:

Related guides

Camu Camu is also known as Camu Camu, Cacari, and Camucamu.