Cascalote is a charming desert tree that flowers in the winter and has unusual, distinctive thorns. Here’s everything you need to know about planting and caring for this Mexican native.
Cascalote (Tara cacalaco) is a small mostly evergreen tree native to Mexico. It has the unusual habit of blooming in the winter when little else does. Its bright green leaves are fern-like and provide pleasant dappled shade.
Slightly fragrant flowers are yellow with a splash of bright orange. Candelabra-like flower spikes adorn the ends of branches, and attractive reddish-brown seed pods follow.
One particularly notable feature is cascalote’s thorns which are the size and color of Hershey’s kisses. Some people find these a “cool” feature, but clearly a tree with huge thorns is not ideal for every landscape situation.
This tree may look lacy and delicate, but it’s a tough desert plant that thrives in full sun and can even withstand reflected heat. It’s cold hardy down to 20℉ but can experience some cosmetic damage at around 25℉.
Since cascalote blooms in the winter, it’s a perfect tree for snowbirds or anyone who loves to spend time in their yard in the winter. (I would think that would be almost everyone.)
Cascalote is a low-maintenance tree. It needs minimal irrigation and produces minimal litter, however, it does need some regular pruning.
When in bloom, cascalote attracts hummingbirds, butterflies, bees, and other nectar-seeking insects.
Why I Like This Plant
- Charming small evergreen tree that thrives in the desert
- Vibrant yellow flowers and colorful seed pods
- Blooms in the winter, when there is little else blooming
- Flowers attract butterflies, hummingbirds, and bees
- Low maintenance, low water, low litter
Things to Watch Out For
Besides cascalote’s thorns, there are a few other things to be aware of if you have your heart set on one of these trees.
They can be hard to find. When I went shopping for one, there was only one nursery in all of Tucson that carried them.
If left to its own devices, cascalote will grow as a shrub rather than a tree. You can expect to have to prune and especially remove suckers to keep it in the tree-like shape you desire.
Cascalote is toxic and moderately allergenic. Plants in the genus Caesalpinia are often toxic due to their high levels of tannins.
The University of Arizona lists it as poisonous, and the ASPCA lists a related species as toxic to dogs, horses, and cats. I would err on the side of caution and assume it is toxic to both humans and pets.
Optimal Growing Conditions
If you’re thinking of adding a cascalote to your garden, you need to find a suitable place that will keep your plant healthy and looking good… while minimizing maintenance for you.
Here are the key factors to keep in mind.
Temperature
Cascalote should be grown in USDA Hardiness Zones 9-11. It’s cold-hardy down to 20℉. And while it may show some signs of cold damage below 25℉, it will have no problem bouncing back in the spring.
Sun Exposure
Cascalote thrives in full sun or the reflected heat from an east-facing wall. While it can be grown in part shade, it may get leggy and have fewer flowers.
Size and Growth Rate
Cascalote is considered a moderate-to-fast grower that will grow faster if given supplemental water. This tree stays small and, when mature, will only reach a size of 15 feet tall and wide.
Soil
Cascalote is not particular about soil. It grows equally well in poor, rocky soil as it does in clay soil, provided it’s well-draining.
Pests
Sometimes psyllids can infest cascalote in the spring. These are tiny sucking insects that cause the tree to lose its leaves. This is an amazing adaptation, since the tree readily grows new leaves and the psyllids don’t return in the summer because it’s too hot for them.
If you notice small white dots or a sticky residue on the leaves, hosing them off with a strong jet of water can be helpful.
Other Location Considerations
While this is often listed as a pool-friendly plant, because it is low litter, it is not “no litter”. The leaves are small and insubstantial, but you probably won’t want the flowers and seed pods in your pool.
Additionally, unless you have the thornless variety, this is not a plant you want to have near foot traffic or where children or pets will be playing.
Cascalote:
The Essentials
| Common Name | Cascalote |
| Scientific Name | Tara cacalaco |
| Origin | Mexico |
| Plant Type | Evergreen tree |
| USDA Zones | Zones 9 – 11 |
| Cold Hardiness | To 20℉ |
| Flower Color | Yellow |
| Flower Season | Winter, spring |
| Mature Size | 15’ high x 15’ wide |
| Growth Rate | Moderate to fast |
| Sun Tolerance | Full, part, reflected sun |
| Water Needs | Low |
| Pests & Diseases | Psyllids |
| Cautions | Thorns, toxic, allergenic |
| Wildlife | Attracts butterflies, hummingbirds, bees |
How to Plant
The rule of thumb when planting any shrub or tree in the desert is to dig a hole three times as wide as the root ball but no deeper. Amending the soil is not recommended. Counterintuitively, backfilling with the same native soil you just dug up helps your plant develop a stronger root system.
When to Plant
The best time to plant cascalote is in the fall. This gives your tree three seasons to grow roots and get established before the following summer.
The second best time is in spring, the earlier the better. This still gives your plant time to get established before the intense heat of June arrives.
How to Care for Cascalote
Whether you’ve recently planted a new cascalote or have an existing one in your yard, here’s how to take care of it to keep it healthy and looking its best.
How to Water New Plants
Once you’ve got your cascalote in the ground, watering is your most immediate concern. Here is the recommended watering schedule for new trees planted in the spring or fall.
| Weeks 1 & 2 | Every 3 – 4 days |
| Weeks 3 & 4 | Every 6 – 7 days |
| Weeks 5 & 6 | Every 7 – 10 days |
| Weeks 7 & 8 | Every 10 – 14 days |
After week 8, gradually extend the time between waterings.
How to Water Established Plants
As your tree becomes established, there are two watering factors to consider.
- First is how often to water. This will vary with the seasons.
- Second is how much water to give your shrub with each watering. This depends on the current size of your plant.
To determine the ideal watering schedule for any desert tree, you’ll find everything you need to know, including easy-to-use charts, at How to Water Desert Trees: How Often? How Much?
Should You Fertilize?
While you can fertilize cascalote, you certainly don’t have to. They get all the nutrients they need from native soil. And since they are a member of the legume family (Fabaceae) they fix nitrogen which naturally improves their surrounding soil.
How to Prune
Cascalote does require some regular pruning maintenance but since it’s a small tree, it’s relatively easy to do — but watch out for the thorns!
In the spring, remove any branches that were frost-damaged.
If you are unsure about how to create the shape you want, I strongly urge you to hire a professional. Hiring an arborist (not a so-called “landscaper”) to get your tree off to the right start is an excellent investment that will result in a beautiful tree that will grace your yard for years to come.
Since your cascalote tree will try to revert to its natural shrub-like form, you can expect to see suckers growing at the base that will need to be pruned. This is a straightforward task you can do whenever they appear.
Thornless Alternatives to Cascalote
If you like the sounds of cascalote but are dubious about those thorns, there’s a thornless cultivar available called Cascalote “Smoothie.” (Caesalpinia cacalaco Smoothie®). It has all the same attributes as the parent plant… minus the thorns.
If you can’t find a Smoothie in your local nurseries, Mexican bird of paradise (Caesalpina mexicana) is a great alternative to consider.
Cascalote looks a lot like a Mexican bird of paradise. Both are small, multi-trunk trees with lacy leaves and branches tipped with spikes of yellow flowers. Both are natives of Mexico. Mexican bird of paradise is usually somewhat smaller and blooms nearly all year.
Additionally, Mexican bird of paradise is a relatively common landscape plant that should not be hard to find.
Plant Lover Facts
Cascalote has undergone many scientific name changes. The correct name is now Tara cacalaco but the former name Caesalpinia cacalaco is persistent and still commonly cited.
Other scientific names used in the past that still linger in scientific literature include Caesalpinia mexicana Coulteria mexicana, Russellodendron cacalaco, and Poinciana horrida. Most of these names go back to the 1800s.
Cascalote pods contain tannic and gallic acids. These compounds, which make the seed pods toxic, are used to tan leather in Mexico.
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Author Bio
Deane Alban is the creator of Southwest Gardener. She is a science writer with a bachelor’s degree in botany from the University of South Florida. Gardening is her lifelong passion. She’s been gardening in Tucson for 15 years.
