Resumo. The aim of this study was to determine the best substrate type and light conditions for the cultivation of seedlings of Tocoyena formosa (Cham. & Schltdl.) K. Schum. Seeds were planted in Styrofoam trays under 70% shading. Three months after emergence, the seedlings were selected and transplanted in 4-L pots, in two types of substrates: 50% dystroferric Red Latosol + 50% sand (TA) and 50% dystroferric Red Latosol + 25% sand + 25% semi-decomposed chicken manure (TACF). After transplanting, the seedlings were placed under three conditions of shading (30, 50 and 70% shade) and full sun (0% shade). After acclimation, the physiologic quality of the seedlings was determined monthly, by analysis of growth and Dickson quality index, for 270 days. The experiment was carried out using a randomized block design in a 2 x 4 x 4 factorial scheme (substrate x shading x age of seedling), with three repetitions of three seedlings. There was greater growth and quality of the seedlings in the substrate soil + sand + chicken manure and under conditions of 30% shade and full sun. It is concluded that for the production of seedlings of Tocoyena formosa, the best conditions are 30% shade and full sun for light and TACF for substrate.