About Madre de Cacao
One of the most ubiquitous trees in the Philippine landscape, Madre de Cacao bursts into masses of pink-lavender blossoms during the dry season when it drops its leaves. A fast-growing, nitrogen-fixing tree, it is used as a living fence, shade tree, and natural insecticide throughout rural and urban Philippines. Its name means 'mother of cacao' because it was traditionally used to shade cacao plantations. Madre de Cacao belongs to the Fabaceae family and originates from Central America and Mexico. Introduced to the Philippines during the Spanish colonial period and now thoroughly naturalized across the archipelago..
Kakawate is everywhere in the Philippines — along provincial roads, as living fences in rural barangays, and in urban vacant lots. Filipino farmers use the leaves as natural insecticide by soaking them in water and spraying on crops. The leaves also serve as excellent animal fodder and green manure. During the dry season (February-April), entire hillsides turn pink with Kakawate blossoms, a stunning sight in provinces like Batangas, Laguna, and Cebu. The wood makes excellent charcoal, an important rural livelihood.
Also known as: Gliricidia.
Popular Varieties
- Gliricidia sepium (standard variety with pink-lavender flowers)
- Gliricidia sepium 'Alba' (white-flowered form, less common)
How to Plant Madre de Cacao in the Philippines
Madre de Cacao can be propagated through stem cuttings, seeds, living fence posts. The recommended method is large hardwood stem cuttings planted directly as fence posts.
Propagation Steps
- Step 1: Cut mature branches 1.5-2 meters long and 5-8 cm in diameter.
- Step 2: Let cut ends dry in shade for 2-3 days.
- Step 3: Plant directly into the ground, burying 30-40 cm deep.
- Step 4: No rooting hormone needed — this tree roots aggressively from cuttings.
- Step 5: Water occasionally during the first dry month.
- Step 6: Cuttings will sprout leaves in 2-4 weeks and establish quickly.
Care Guide
Sunlight
Full sun (requires full sun for prolific flowering). Position your madre de cacao where it receives the right amount of light for healthy growth in Philippine conditions.
Water
Extremely drought-tolerant once established. Minimal supplemental watering needed even during El Nino dry spells. Adjust frequency during the Philippine rainy season when humidity is higher and soil stays moist longer.
Temperature & Humidity
Ideal temperature range: 25-38°C (extremely heat-tolerant; thrives in the hottest Philippine provinces). Tolerates low to high humidity — highly adaptable The warm, humid Philippine climate is well-suited for growing madre de cacao outdoors or indoors.
Fertilizer
None needed — as a legume, it fixes atmospheric nitrogen into the soil and actually fertilizes surrounding plants.
Pruning
Pollard or coppice regularly for livestock fodder and to maintain desired size. Responds vigorously to pruning. Cut branches can be used as new plantings.
Toxicity & Safety
Leaves and bark are toxic to rodents (the name 'Gliricidia' means 'rodent killer'). Mildly toxic to dogs and cats if ingested in large quantities. Flowers are reportedly edible and used in some regional Filipino dishes.
Common Problems & Solutions
Excessive self-seeding
Cause: Prolific seed production and easy germination
Solution: Remove seed pods before they mature and scatter if you want to control spread.
Leaf-eating caterpillars
Cause: Various moth larvae feed on the foliage
Solution: Usually not a concern as the tree regrows foliage quickly. For heavy infestations, handpick caterpillars or spray Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt).
Too vigorous / taking over garden
Cause: This tree grows very fast, especially in fertile soil
Solution: Prune aggressively — it can be coppiced to the ground and will regrow. Use the cuttings as mulch or natural insecticide.
Termite damage to trunk
Cause: Termites occasionally attack older trunks
Solution: Remove affected portions. The tree's natural compounds are actually insecticidal, so healthy trees usually resist well.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you care for Madre de Cacao in the Philippines?
Madre de Cacao needs full sun (requires full sun for prolific flowering). Water extremely drought-tolerant once established. minimal supplemental watering needed even during el nino dry spells.. Feed with none needed — as a legume, it fixes atmospheric nitrogen into the soil and actually fertilizes surrounding plants.. The Philippine climate with temperatures of 25-38°C (extremely heat-tolerant; thrives in the hottest Philippine provinces) works well for this plant.
How do you propagate Madre de Cacao?
The recommended method is large hardwood stem cuttings planted directly as fence posts. Cut mature branches 1.5-2 meters long and 5-8 cm in diameter. Let cut ends dry in shade for 2-3 days.
Is Madre de Cacao toxic to pets or children?
Leaves and bark are toxic to rodents (the name 'Gliricidia' means 'rodent killer'). Mildly toxic to dogs and cats if ingested in large quantities. Flowers are reportedly edible and used in some regional Filipino dishes.
Can Madre de Cacao grow in containers in the Philippines?
Madre de Cacao is best grown in the ground or very large containers. It needs ample root space to reach its potential. In smaller urban spaces, choose dwarf varieties when available.
What are common problems when growing Madre de Cacao?
Common issues include: Excessive self-seeding (caused by prolific seed production and easy germination — remove seed pods before they mature and scatter if you want to control spread); Leaf-eating caterpillars (caused by various moth larvae feed on the foliage — usually not a concern as the tree regrows foliage quickly. for heavy infestations, handpick caterpillars or spray bacillus thuringiensis (bt)); Too vigorous / taking over garden (caused by this tree grows very fast, especially in fertile soil — prune aggressively — it can be coppiced to the ground and will regrow. use the cuttings as mulch or natural insecticide).
Growing madre de cacao in Manila? Tag us @urbangoesgreen on TikTok and show us your garden!