Kakawate (Gliricidia sepium)

About Kakawate

Kakawate is a fast-growing, nitrogen-fixing tree that most Filipinos know from provincial fence lines and farm boundaries. Its scientific name is Gliricidia sepium, and it belongs to the Fabaceae, the same big family as beans and peas. You can spot it easily when it flowers, since the bare branches fill up with soft pink and lavender pea-shaped blooms before the leaves come back for the season.

In English, kakawate is called Madre de Cacao, which means "Mother of Cocoa." The name goes back to the old days when the tree was planted to shade young cacao seedlings. Some people also call it quickstick, a fitting name because a cut branch pushed into the soil will often root and grow into a new tree. In the provinces, kakawate is woven into daily life. Farmers use it to mark property lines, prop up climbing crops, feed goats and cattle, and fertilize their fields with the chopped leaves.

This same tree is also listed under its Spanish name, madre de cacao, in our directory. If you searched for one name and landed here, you are looking at the same plant. You can read the companion entry at madre de cacao.

Related Names

• Kakawate (Filipino, most common)
• Madre de Cacao / Madre Cacao (Spanish)
• Mother of Cocoa (English)
• Quickstick (English)
• Gliricidia sepium (scientific name)

How to Plant Kakawate in the Philippines

Kakawate is famously easy to start. The classic provincial way is to plant a branch cutting or stake, which roots quickly and grows into a tree within months. You can also grow it from seed if you want more plants at once, though seedlings take a little longer to get going. Both methods work well in our climate.

Propagation Steps

1. Step 1: Choose your method. For fast results, cut a straight, mature branch about 1 to 2 meters long and as thick as your wrist. For a slower start, collect dry seed pods.
2. Step 2: For cuttings, let the fresh cut branch dry in the shade for 2 to 3 days so the wound heals slightly before planting.
3. Step 3: Bury the bottom third of the branch cutting or stake firmly into loose, well-draining soil. For seeds, sow them about 2 cm deep in moist potting mix.
4. Step 4: Water lightly after planting and keep the soil just moist. Cuttings root best at the start of the rainy season.
5. Step 5: Watch for new leaves within a few weeks on cuttings. Space plants about 1 meter apart if you are building a living fence.

Care Guide

Sunlight

Give kakawate full sun. It is a true sun-lover and grows fastest and flowers best in a bright, open spot. Young plants in pots can take a bit of light shade, but for a strong tree, plant it where it gets sun most of the day.

Water

Kakawate is low to moderate on water and very drought tolerant once established. During the first few weeks after planting, keep the soil just moist so the roots settle in. After that, natural rainfall is usually enough. Avoid soggy, waterlogged ground, since the roots prefer to dry out between waterings.

Temperature & Humidity

This is a lowland tropical tree, so the warm and humid Philippine climate suits it perfectly. It thrives in the heat year-round and handles both the dry and rainy seasons without fuss. There is no need to worry about cold, since it does best in the same conditions we live in.

Fertilizer

Kakawate barely needs feeding. As a nitrogen-fixing legume, it pulls its own nitrogen from the air and even enriches the soil around it. In poor ground, a little compost at planting time helps, but heavy fertilizer is a waste on this tree.

Pruning

Prune freely, since kakawate bounces right back. Cut it to keep a fence at the height you want, or lop off branches for fodder and green manure. It regrows quickly after a hard cutting, which is exactly why farmers rely on it. The trimmed leaves and branches never go to waste.

Uses of Kakawate

Few trees earn their keep like kakawate. On a single farm it can serve half a dozen roles, which is why it has stayed a favorite in the provinces for generations.

Living Fence and Fence Posts

This is the use most people know. Plant a row of branch cuttings, and within months you have a green, living fence. The stakes root and grow into sturdy living fence posts that you can string wire between. Unlike wooden posts that rot, kakawate posts stay alive and keep getting stronger.

Organic Fertilizer and Green Manure

Kakawate leaves are rich in nitrogen and break down fast. Farmers chop the fresh leaves and dig them into the soil or spread them as mulch around vegetables and rice. This green manure feeds the crops naturally and cuts down on the need for bought fertilizer.

Animal Fodder

The leaves make good fodder for goats, cattle, and other ruminants. They are high in protein, and animals take to them well. Farmers often cut branches through the dry season when other feed runs short.

Natural Pesticide

Soaked and pounded kakawate leaves have long been used as a homemade pest spray. The leaf extract helps repel insects and ticks, and folk practice uses it on animals and around the garden as a gentle, low-cost pest control.

Traditional Medicine

In Filipino folk medicine, crushed kakawate leaves are applied to the skin for itchiness, rashes, and other skin conditions. It has a long history as a home remedy, though it should always be used with care and never taken internally.

Toxicity & Safety

Kakawate is toxic to rodents and horses, so keep that in mind if you have these animals around. The seeds and bark, when fermented, have even been used as a traditional rat poison, which is where part of the "Gliricidia" name comes from. For humans and for ruminants like goats and cattle, the leaves are considered safe when used normally. Still, treat the leaves as an external remedy only, never eat them, and keep pounded leaf material away from pet horses and rodents.

Common Problems & Solutions

Frequently Asked Questions