PlantFiles: Smoothshell Macadamia Nut Tree, Queensland Nut
Macadamia integrifolia

I am in a subtropical climate in Mexico. I bought some small macadamia nut trees and they are growing well. I planted a large lot of seeds (nuts) about a month ago and they are now sprouting. The new leaves are purple-tinged, very pretty. This plant seems very tough. The leaves look like holly. The roots are long relative to the size of the plant so they are probably quite drought-tolerant and good for erosion control.

I have not grown this plant.

It may be propagated also by softwood cuttings, grafting and seed. Seed propagated trees may take 8 to 12 years to bear a crop with the quality of the nuts being variable.

Very attractive and relatively common landscape tree here in Southern California. New leaf growth is especially nice. Usually only good crop of nuts near the coast. inland less so. Very tolerant of high and low water situations.

This isn´t a common plant in Rio de Janeiro either, though the climate here is apropriate to grow this. The nuts (fried, cooked, or covered with sugar) are delicious and nutricious. Not to mention that this is a lovely plant with a beautiful foliage.

We can't grow them in Tennessee, but this Australian native (imported to Hawaii in the late 1800s) is a nice tropical ornamental tree prized for its delicious nuts.