Candlenut Tree (Aleurites moluccana) Growing & Care Guide for Gardeners
Article by Dean Ravenscroft, Ph.D. - Updated 31st Jan 2024
- Plant Characteristics: Aleurites moluccana is a large tropical tree known for its broad leaves and clusters of small white flowers. It's most famous for its nuts, which are used for various purposes, from cooking to making lei necklaces in Hawaiian culture.
- Growing & Care: Prefers a sunny location with well-drained soil and ample space to grow. Regular watering and fertilization are beneficial. It's relatively fast-growing and requires pruning to maintain shape and health.
- Tips for New Gardeners: Suitable for gardeners in warmer climates. While care is straightforward, be aware of its size at maturity. The tree's nuts and leaves are toxic if ingested in raw form, so handle with care, especially around children and pets.
- Plant Characteristics: Aleurites moluccana is a large tropical tree known for its broad leaves and clusters of small white flowers. It's most famous for its nuts, which are used for various purposes, from cooking to making lei necklaces in Hawaiian culture.
- Growing & Care: Prefers a sunny location with well-drained soil and ample space to grow. Regular watering and fertilization are beneficial. It's relatively fast-growing and requires pruning to maintain shape and health.
- Tips for New Gardeners: Suitable for gardeners in warmer climates. While care is straightforward, be aware of its size at maturity. The tree's nuts and leaves are toxic if ingested in raw form, so handle with care, especially around children and pets.
Aleurites moluccana, syn, Aleurites moluccanus is the state tree of Hawaii. Some of the common names for this tree include the Candlenut Tree, Kukui Nut, Indian Walnut, Candleberry tree, and Balucant.
Aleurites moluccana is a fast-growing tree that can reach over 10 m (34 feet) in height, and its spread averages 8 m (25 feet). It is a is a member of the Euphorbiaceae family.
kukui nut trees photograph by Forest and Kim Starr; CC.
Candlenut Tree is an evergreen tree that is best grown in USDA hardiness zones 10 to 12. As a native to Hawaii, Australia and other tropical regions, this plant prefers to grow in hot humid areas.
The young tree has leaves and branches that are hairy in texture. From a distance, it looks like the tree is covered in a dusting of flour. The green leaves come in a variety of shapes.
Aleurites moluccana (Kukui, kukui nut) photograph by Forest and Kim Starr.
The small creamy white flowers bloom in the spring into early fall. Candlenut Tree flowers have five petals and form at the branches’ ends. Once the flowers begin to fade, the nuts make their appearance.
Though the flowering tree is beautiful in its own right, it is the nuts that the tree produces that most people are interested in.
The nuts can be roasted and consumed in very small quantities. The more common practice is to grind the roasted nuts and use them in recipes or as a food topper. Charring nuts produces a dye that can be used for traditional Hawaiian tattoos. However, it is perhaps the oil that is extracted from the nut meat that is the true prize as it is often used in soap and varnish production, and can also be used as a fuel.
This ornamental tree will certainly add a note of interest to the landscape.
Aleurites moluccana leaf close up, image by Forest and Kim Starr; CC.
Gardener's HQ Guide to Growing Candlenut Tree / Balucanat
This evergreen tree can grow in a sunny or lightly shaded spot in the garden and it loves to be near water. Full sunlight gives best results.
Ideally grow in a slightly acidic fertile soil. Although the Aleurites moluccana tree can tolerate most soil types it will not thrive in poorer soils.
Ideally grow in a humid area that has a well-drained and medium moisture soil.
Aleurites moluccana trunk and branches photograph by Forest and Kim Starr; CC.
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Aleurites moluccana Growing and Care Guide
- Scientific Name: Aleurites moluccana or Aleurites moluccanus.
- Common Name: Balucanat, Candlenut Tree, Kekuna Tree, Candleberry, Indian Walnut, Kemiri, Varnish tree, and Kukui Nut Tree.
- Growing Zone: USA: 10 to 12.
- Life Cycle / Plant Type: Tree.
Plant Details
- Plant Height (Inches): 420 to 720.
- Plant Spread (Inches): 420 to 600.
- Time of Bloom: Spring.
- Flower Details: White.
- Leaf Foliage: Green.
- Fruit:
- Growth Form: Rounded.
Ideal Growing Conditions
- Best Light Conditions: Partially shady to full sunlight.
- Rate of Growth: Quick.
- Suitable Soil Types: Acidic, Clay, Loamy, Neutral, Sandy, Slightly alkaline, Well drained.
- Soil Moisture: Moist.
Caring Conditions
- Care:
- Level of Maintenance:
- Propagation: Seed.
- How to Prune:
- Pests:
- Diseases:
Further Information
- Can Attract:
- Tolerant of:
- Best Garden Use: Seashore, Specimen.
- Family: Euphorbiaceae.
- Closely Related Species: Spurge.
I hope that you enjoyed this guide on how to grow Aleurites moluccana. You may also enjoy the following Gardener's HQ growing guides: How to grow Ricinus and Euphorbia plants.
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