🌰 Carob Tree: Growing Guide
Carob Tree (Ceratonia siliqua) grows best in full sun with little water, and does well at −5 to 45 °C (23–113 °F) in soil with a pH of 6.5–8.5. Space plants about 800 cm (315 in) apart. Expect 365+ days (a perennial — it takes more than a season).
Quick facts
| Scientific name | Ceratonia siliqua |
|---|---|
| Category | Fruit Trees |
| Sunlight | Full sun |
| Watering | Low |
| Plant spacing | 800 cm (315 in) |
| Soil pH | 6.5–8.5 |
| Comfortable temperature | −5 to 45 °C (23–113 °F) |
| Time to maturity | 365+ days (a perennial — it takes more than a season) |
| Sowing depth | 10 cm (3.9 in) |
| Height | 600–1000 cm (236–394 in) |
When to sow, plant and harvest
The calendar below shows the best months in each climate zone. Pick the zone closest to your garden.
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mediterranean | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | ||||||||
| Subtropical | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | ||||||||
| Tropical | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | |||||||||
| Arid / Semi-arid | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest |
- Mediterranean (Greece, Spain, Italy, coastal Turkey): Plant out: Mar · Harvest: Aug–Oct.
- Subtropical (Southern US, N. Africa, Middle East): Plant out: Feb · Harvest: Aug–Oct.
- Tropical (SE Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, Amazon): Harvest: Aug–Oct.
- Arid / Semi-arid (Arabian Peninsula, inland Australia): Plant out: Feb · Harvest: Jul–Sep.
Watering
Water about every 14 days in summer and about every 45 days in winter. Very drought tolerant.
Growing tips
A Greek classic! Powder used as a cocoa substitute. High in fiber. Dried pods.
Good companion plants
These plants grow well alongside it:
Frequently asked questions
Carob Tree: when should I sow and plant it?
Mediterranean (Greece, Spain, Italy, coastal Turkey): Plant out: Mar · Harvest: Aug–Oct. Subtropical (Southern US, N. Africa, Middle East): Plant out: Feb · Harvest: Aug–Oct. Tropical (SE Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, Amazon): Harvest: Aug–Oct.
Carob Tree: how often should I water it?
Water about every 14 days in summer and about every 45 days in winter. Very drought tolerant.
Carob Tree: how far apart should I plant it?
Plant about 800 cm (315 in) apart and sow at a depth of about 10 cm (3.9 in).
Carob Tree: how long does it take to grow?
Plan on 365+ days (a perennial — it takes more than a season).
Carob Tree: which plants grow well with it?
Olive.
Plan your garden
Add Carob Tree to your garden design in the free GardenXPro planner: drag plants onto a 2D plan, preview it in 3D, check companions and get watering reminders.
Open the free planner →