Carob
Ceratonia siliqua · Fabaceae
📷 Eduardo Milla · CC BY-SA 4.0
The gardener's calendar
In autumn, ease off feeding and take the chance to clean up around carob and prepare for winter.
ID card
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Flowering
- Small reddish flowers in clusters, spring-summer
- Mature size
- 8 to 10 m in height × 6 to 8 m in width
- Growth rate
- Moderate to slow
- Hardiness
- Zones 9 to 11 (tolerance down to -5°C)
- Origin
- Mediterranean basin
- Soil type
- Well-draining, calcareous, poor soil tolerated
✓ Taxonomy verifiedSource: AI estimate · hardiness: reliability medium.
Expert tips
The key tip
The carob tree is very heat-loving (minimum 20°C during growth). Plant it in a pot even in warm regions, as ground establishment is slow.
The common mistake
Growing it in the ground in cold or temperate regions: it freezes or stays weak.
The pro's trick
In a pot, repot every 2-3 years in spring with a well-draining mix (potting soil + sand + pumice).
Care
Sunlight
The carob tree demands full sun exposure for optimal growth and good pod production. Install it in a sunny location for at least 6 to 8 hours per day. It tolerates heat and summer drought very well.
Watering
Not water-hungry, the carob tree is satisfied with rainfall once established. During the first two years, water regularly in summer to encourage rooting. Once mature, occasional watering during very hot periods is enough. Let the soil dry between waterings.
Soil
The carob tree tolerates a wide variety of soils and thrives even in calcareous or poor soils. Well-draining soil is essential to prevent root suffocation. Amend lightly at planting, but enrichment is not necessary afterward.
Fertilizing
Fertilizer application is generally not necessary. In very poor soils, an annual application of balanced or organic fertilizer in spring supports growth. Prefer fertilizers without excess nitrogen to encourage fruiting.
Pruning
Pruning is not mandatory. Simply remove dead, diseased, or poorly oriented branches after flowering. A mature carob tree can be slightly rejuvenated in winter. Avoid severe pruning which slows its already slow growth.
Diseases and pests
The carob tree is very resistant to diseases and pests. Excess moisture can promote root fungal issues. In cultivation, few phytosanitary problems are reported. Ensure adequate drainage and good foliage aeration.
Did you know?
The carob tree served as a historical reference for the word 'carat': the ancient regular seeds of this tree were used by goldsmiths to weigh gold and precious stones. Its sweet pods also fed Mediterranean populations for centuries and remain today a raw material for carob gum, used in the food industry.
Where to buy it
Best planted in autumn so the roots settle in before summer, or in early spring once the frost has passed. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, October, November.
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Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.