Andiroba and genuine mahogany are botanical cousins — both Meliaceae — but differ in ways that matter for outdoor garden use. Andiroba is less known but often the more practical outdoor choice.
The Species Compared
Genuine mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla): classic furniture wood, Janka 800–900 lbf, specific gravity ~0.45–0.55, easy to hand-tool. CITES Appendix II listed since 2003, requiring trade permits and constraining supply. Andiroba (Carapa guianensis): Janka 1,220–1,430 lbf, specific gravity ~0.60–0.65 — about 50% denser and harder. Not CITES-listed. Both share interlocked grain and reddish heartwood but have different durability profiles outdoors.
Rot Resistance, Price, and Verdict
Genuine mahogany: Durability Class II, above-grade outdoor lifespan 15–25 years. Not suitable for ground contact without treatment. Andiroba: Class I–II, better outdoor performance — a mahogany garden bench may need major repair in 15–20 years while andiroba remains sound for 25–35 years. Pricing: genuine mahogany $12–$20/bf for legitimate Swietenia macrophylla (many retailers sell African mahogany/Khaya at $8–$14/bf under the "mahogany" name). Andiroba: $8–$14/bf with fewer trade restrictions. For raised bed framing: andiroba wins. For garden furniture: genuine mahogany is legitimate if responsibly sourced. FSC certification is the most reliable indicator for either. See our outdoor wood selection guide and DIY garden finishing guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is what I buy at the lumber yard actually genuine mahogany?
- Likely not unless you are at a specialty tropical hardwood dealer. "Mahogany" at general lumber yards is typically African mahogany (Khaya) or Philippine mahogany (meranti). Genuine Swietenia commands premium prices.
- Can andiroba replace mahogany in fine furniture?
- For painted or heavily finished work, yes. For grain-showcasing work, andiroba's interlocked grain behaves differently and requires more finishing skill — it is not a drop-in substitute.
- Is either wood safe for raised vegetable beds?
- Yes — both are untreated natural hardwoods with no synthetic preservatives. Natural extractives are not food-safety concerns at lumber concentrations.
- Which is heavier to work with?
- Andiroba — about 50% denser than genuine mahogany. For lifting and cutting large boards solo, this is a meaningful practical difference.
- Why is genuine mahogany so expensive now?
- CITES Appendix II listing in 2003 required trade permits, reducing supply from previously unrestricted sources and tightening availability as demand for certified sustainable wood has grown.