How to Grow and Care for a Nutmeg Tree

Nutmeg is usually associated with the aroma that permeates the air during chilly weather. The native habitat of the nutmeg tree, though, is far from the typical North American autumn. It is a tropical evergreen native to the balmy Spice Islands in the South Pacific. With its dark green, glossy, aromatic leaves, and dense, conical crown, the tree makes an attractive specimen in the landscape. Flowers appear on the tree on and off during the year. They are pale yellow and fragrant but small, rather inconspicuous, and open at night.

The tree is the source of not just one spice but two: nutmeg from the seed inside the pear-shaped, yellow-orange fruit, and mace from the aril of the seed. Nutmeg trees require a hot and humid climate. The trees are rare finds; and if you are able to find one for sale, you need to make sure that it’s a female tree to produce fruit. The tree can be planted in the spring or fall.

Nutmeg Tree Care

Here are the main care requirements for growing a nutmeg tree: 

• Select a location with morning sun and afternoon shade.
• Make sure the soil is rich and well-drained and if needed, amend it with organic matter before planting.
• Keep the tree well-watered and the soil consistently moist.
• Apply a slow-release fertilizer on a regular basis.
• Prune the tree to maintain its shape.

Light

Plant your tree in a sunny area that receives some shade throughout the day. Mature trees tolerate full sun, but especially younger trees are susceptible to leaf burn. Morning sun and afternoon shade are best. If your planting location gets afternoon sun, protect a young tree with a 20- to 40-percent shade cloth.

Soil

While nutmeg trees grow in a range of soils, provided they offer good drainage, they prosper in deep, loamy soil rich in organic matter. A slightly acidic soil with a pH between 5.5 and 7.0 is best.

Water

In their native habitat, nutmeg trees grow in damp and moist but not waterlogged soil. If there is not sufficient rainfall to keep the soil consistently moist, water as needed. Nutmeg trees have shallow roots. To prevent them from drying out, place a 2- to 3-inch layer of organic mulch around the base of the tree up to the dripline.

Temperature and Humidity

The nutmeg tree is native to the rain forests of the East Indies in the South Pacific where the climate is warm and humid year-round. It thrives in temperatures between 77 and 86 degrees F. The tree is not frost-tolerant.

Fertilizer

In order to produce fruit, nutmeg trees need regular fertilization. Use a complete slow-release granular fertilizer, ideally a product formulated for fruit and nut trees, and follow the label instructions for amounts and frequency. Additionally, scattering a layer of well-aged manure or compost around the tree once a year will also benefit its growth and improve the soil quality.

Pruning

A young tree is not likely to need much pruning other than removing branches that grow inward. The tree has a pyramidal-shaped, densely leafy crown that becomes more rounded and wide-spreading as the tree ages. The goal of pruning is to maintain that shape. For tall trees, this is a challenge and might require pruning by a certified arborist.

Propagating a Nutmeg Tree

As a home gardener, it is not practical to propagate a nutmeg tree, for several reasons. The seeds must be planted shortly after harvesting because they rapidly lose their viability. It takes about eight years for the nutmeg tree to flower, and it is only at that point that it is possible to determine whether a tree is female and will be fruit-bearing. For that very reason, commercial growers graft trees to speed up fruit production.

Potting and Repotting

The growth rate of a nutmeg tree can vary greatly; some nurseries sell nutmeg trees for container-growing. Choose a heavyweight container that is at least 12 inches in diameter, 14 inches deep, and has large drainage holes. Use an all-purpose potting mix or a potting mix for tropical trees. Keep in mind that a potted nutmeg tree needs even more watering than a tree in the landscape.

Repot the tree when it has outgrown its container into a pot one size larger filled with fresh potting mix.

Overwintering

If you grow the tree below USDA Zone 10, bring the potted plant indoors when nighttime temperatures drop below 55 degrees F. Place it near a south- or west-facing window where it gets direct sun. Keep the soil evenly moist over the winter and ensure the room has adequate high humidity.

Common Pests and Plant Diseases

Nutmeg plants are prone to a range of diseases, including fruit rot, diplodia tip blight, shot hole disease, and other fungal infections. Possible pests include scale insects, which can cause wilting of the leaves.