Macadamia is a tree, a long-term addition to the landscape. It's hardy across USDA zones 9 through 11 and stands up to deer. Its winter flowers are a moderate draw for honeybees and native bees, even though the nuts are the prize.
Zones
9-11
pH Range
4.5-7
Sun
Full Sun
Days to Maturity
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What Macadamia is
Macadamia grows as a perennial and reaches around 35 feet at maturity. It blooms white in winter. It's also deer-resistant.
How to grow Macadamia
Macadamia grows in USDA zones 9 through 11. Macadamia does best in full sun — at least 6 hours of direct sun a day — and soil from pH 4.5 to 7, on well-drained ground. It needs around 3,500 growing degree days to mature, a growing season of at least 365 frost-free days, and about 0 hours of winter chill to set fruit, which is why climate matters as much as soil.
USDA Zones
9-11
USDA PHZM 2023
Soil pH
4.5 - 7
USDA PLANTS Database
Sun
Full Sun
plant_species_v5.csv
Drainage
well (dry spells)
plant_species_v5.csv
Frost Tolerance
46.4°F
plant_species_v5.csv
GDD Required
3500+
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Mature Height
35 ft
plant_species_v5.csv
Chill Hours
0+
plant_species_v5.csv
Frost-Free Days
365+
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Plant it right
Set macadamia in full sun with well-drained soil. Many fruit trees need a second variety nearby to pollinate — check before you plant just one.
Match the soil
Macadamia prefers pH 4.5 to 7 (USDA PLANTS Database). A quick soil test from your local Extension lab tells you whether to add lime or sulfur to land in band.
Water steadily
Keep the root zone evenly moist through establishment. A 2–3 inch mulch layer holds moisture without waterlogging.
Be patient, then harvest
Prune annually while the tree establishes; fruit trees reward patience with years of harvest. Local Extension guides publish per-cultivar bearing-age tables.
Good to know
One caution for pet owners — macadamia is toxic to dogs (moderate severity). Keep it out of reach, and call ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 in an emergency. (Source: ASPCA.)
Macadamia offers moderate value to bees and other pollinators. (Source: Xerces Society, Pollinator Partnership.)
Where Macadamia thrives
Macadamia is hardy across USDA zones 9 through 11. Zone is only the starting point, though: the soil pH, drainage, and frost dates on your specific land decide how well it actually does.
Zones 9–11·Where Macadamia growsOpen map →
On USDA hardiness-zone overlap, Macadamia can grow in these states:
See if Macadamia will thrive on your land
Zone averages are a start. Your exact soil pH, drainage, sun exposure, and frost dates shape whether macadamia actually takes — we score it against the real conditions at your address.
Three things about your exact spot that zone averages miss:
We read public map data for this spot — soil, climate, flood, and parcel records. How we handle your address.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I grow Macadamia in my zone?
Macadamia grows in USDA hardiness zones 9 through 11 (USDA PHZM 2023). Zone is one factor — soil pH, drainage, and frost dates on your specific parcel also shape whether it takes.
When should you plant Macadamia?
Set macadamia out in early spring or fall while it's dormant, so the roots establish before the heat of summer. Your local last-frost date — which a Growable Ground report pulls for your exact address — sets the precise window.
How much sun does Macadamia need?
Macadamia needs full sun — a spot that catches at least 6 hours of direct summer sun a day. In more shade it still grows, but usually gives a smaller, later crop. The catch is that a yard rarely gets even light everywhere — a fence, the house, or one tall tree can quietly take those hours. A Growable Ground report reads the real sun-hours across your land, canopy and buildings included, so you can pick the brightest bed before you plant.
What soil does Macadamia need?
Macadamia prefers soil pH 4.5 to 7, on well-drained ground (USDA PLANTS Database). Your report scores your parcel's actual soil against that using USDA SSURGO data.
Does Macadamia attract pollinators?
Yes — macadamia's flowers are a solid nectar source for honeybees and native bees (Xerces Society, Pollinator Partnership).
Is Macadamia safe for pets?
Macadamia is toxic to pets (dogs) with moderate severity. Keep it out of reach, and call ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 in an emergency.