Skip to content
🍓 Fruit hard

Growing Cacao in Recife

🇧🇷 Zone 13 Planting Guide · Tropical monsoon climate

USDA Zone 13 365 frost-free days 1095-1825 days to harvest

Quick Answer: Growing Cacao in Recife

Yes, you can grow Cacao in Recife, BR! Plant during Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec for best results. Recife is in USDA Zone 13 with a Tropical monsoon climate, offering 365 frost-free days per year. The difficulty level is hard, and Cacao takes 1095-1825 days to harvest. Cacao needs partial shade ok and frequent watering.

Climate Match Analysis

Good Match Recife + Cacao

Recife's temperatures (22°C to 30°C) are within the tolerable range for Cacao (18°C to 35°C), though not always in the optimal zone (24°C to 30°C). Plant during recommended months for best results.

Cacao tolerates 18°C to 35°C
Optimal: 24°C - 30°C
Recife range 22°C to 30°C

Recife Climate Data

USDA Zone
13
Frost-Free
365days
Winter Low
22°C
Summer High
30°C
Rainfall
2417mm/yr
Climate
Am
Tropical monsoon

Cacao Planting Calendar for Recife

Green months show the best time to plant Cacao in Recife

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Plant Cacao Not recommended

Cacao Growing Requirements

☀️

Sunlight

Partial Shade OK

2-4 hours direct sunlight

💧

Water

Frequent

Keep soil consistently moist

📅

Days to Harvest

1095-1825

From planting to first harvest

📊

Difficulty

hard

For experienced growers

💡 Growing Tips for Cacao

Needs constant warmth, humidity, and shade. Only viable in true tropical climates. Wait until soil warms to at least 24°C before transplanting outdoors — cold soil stunts growth and can invite root rot. Consistent moisture is critical. Mulch with straw or compost to retain soil moisture and keep roots cool during hot weather.

Frost tolerance: Cacao is NOT frost tolerant — wait until after the last frost in Recife.

How to Grow Cacao in Recife

Recife, BR is in USDA Hardiness Zone 13 with a Tropical monsoon climate (Köppen Am). With winter lows of 22°C and summer highs of 30°C, the growing season spans approximately 365 frost-free days. Cacao requires more experience to grow successfully in this climate.

Cacao thrives in temperatures between 24°C and 30°C, requiring partial shade ok and frequent watering. In Recife, the best months to plant Cacao are January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December. Cacao is not frost tolerant, so it's important to wait until after the last spring frost before transplanting outdoors. Expect to harvest in approximately 1095-1825 days after planting.

Recife receives 2417mm of annual rainfall, which provides good natural moisture for Cacao. Monitor soil moisture and water as needed.

Other Plants That Grow in Recife

More plants you can grow alongside Cacao in Recife

Keep Exploring

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I grow cacao in Recife?

Yes! Cacao can be successfully grown in Recife, BR. Recife is in USDA Hardiness Zone 13 with a Tropical monsoon climate. The difficulty level for growing Cacao here is rated "hard". The best months to plant are January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December.

When should I plant cacao in Recife?

In Recife, the recommended planting months for Cacao are January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December. Recife has 365 frost-free days per year, with winter lows of 22°C and summer highs of 30°C. Since Cacao is not frost tolerant, make sure to plant after the last frost date.

How long does cacao take to grow in Recife?

Cacao typically takes 1095-1825 days from planting to harvest. In Recife's Tropical monsoon climate with 365 frost-free days, you have plenty of time to grow Cacao to maturity. Needs constant warmth, humidity, and shade. Only viable in true tropical climates. Wait until soil warms to at least 24°C before transplanting outdoors — cold soil stunts growth and can invite root rot. Consistent moisture is critical. Mulch with straw or compost to retain soil moisture and keep roots cool during hot weather.

Can I grow cacao indoors in Recife?

Cacao can potentially be grown indoors in Recife with proper conditions. It requires partial shade ok (2-4 hours of indirect light). Indoor growing extends your season beyond the Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec outdoor planting window. Use containers with good drainage and frequent watering.

What month do I plant cacao in Recife?

Plant Cacao in Recife during January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December. These are the optimal months based on Recife's USDA Zone 13 climate, 365 frost-free days, and temperature range of 22°C to 30°C.

Is cacao hard to grow in Recife?

Cacao is rated "hard" to grow in Recife. This is challenging in this climate. Experienced growers will have the best success with careful attention to temperature and moisture. The climate match for Cacao in Recife is Good.

What grows well with cacao in Recife?

In Recife, you can grow many companion plants alongside Cacao. Good options from the same planting window include Tomato, Basil, Lettuce, Carrot and 2 more. These plants share similar planting months and thrive in Recife's Zone 13 climate.

Does cacao need full sun in Recife?

Cacao requires partial shade ok. Cacao tolerates lower light. In Recife, a spot with filtered or indirect light for 2-4 hours works well.

Last updated: March 2026 · Climate data from NOAA, FAO, USDA

See an error? Report it