Troubleshooting
Cupuaçu problems — and how to fix them
Cupuaçu (Theobroma grandiflorum) is generally forgiving once you match its basics, but a few issues come up again and again. Here is what each one looks like, why it happens, and the fix.
Cold injury
Highly frost-tender; damage occurs below about 10-13°C. Keep consistently warm and never expose to cold drafts or frost.
Leaf scorch from sun or dry air
Direct midday sun on young plants and low humidity both brown the large leaves; provide filtered light and high humidity.
Root rot
Waterlogged or poorly drained soil rots the roots; keep evenly moist in a free-draining medium, never sitting in water.
Recalcitrant seed
Seeds lose viability quickly once removed from the pod and must be sown fresh; dried seed fails to germinate.
Prevent cupuaçu problems before they start
Most cupuaçu issues are care-mismatch, not bad luck. Dial in the basics:
Looking for cupuaçu in general rather than its problems? Read the full cupuaçu care guide — light, water, soil and feeding.
Cupuaçu problems — FAQ
Why is my cupuaçu cold injury?
Highly frost-tender; damage occurs below about 10-13°C. Keep consistently warm and never expose to cold drafts or frost.
Why is my cupuaçu leaf scorch from sun or dry air?
Direct midday sun on young plants and low humidity both brown the large leaves; provide filtered light and high humidity.
Why is my cupuaçu root rot?
Waterlogged or poorly drained soil rots the roots; keep evenly moist in a free-draining medium, never sitting in water.
Why is my cupuaçu recalcitrant seed?
Seeds lose viability quickly once removed from the pod and must be sown fresh; dried seed fails to germinate.