Cocoa (Chocolate tree): an evergreen plant

Any gardener can grow a cocoa tree at home. Knowing what the chocolate tree and its beans look like helps. It is important to learn where the tree grows and how to care for it indoors.

The cocoa tree, or chocolate tree, is an evergreen in the Theobroma group. Scientists used to think it was part of the Sterculiaceae family. Now, they classify it as part of the mallow family. Other plants in this family include balsa, jute, durian, hibiscus, hollyhock, cotton, and linden.

Cocoa trees come from the subequatorial parts of South America. People now grow them in the northern and southern tropics. They are mainly grown to supply the candy industry. Because of where they come from, these trees cannot grow in Russia or other cold places.

In the past, Venezuela and Ecuador grew most of the chocolate trees. Then, many years ago, northern Brazil became the top producer. Now, those areas are not as important.

About 70% of the world's cocoa now comes from Africa. Ghana, Cameroon, Nigeria, and Côte d'Ivoire in Africa are major producers. Cocoa is also grown in Vietnam, Indonesia, and Malaysia, but not as much.