Carob — Growing reference
| Scientific name | Ceratonia siliqua |
|---|---|
| Seed germination (days) | 14–30 |
| Soil temperature for germination (°C) | 18.3–29.4 |
| First harvest or flowering (days) | 2555–4380 |
| Measured from | Transplant |
| Plant spacing (cm) | 457.2–914.4 |
| Mature height (cm) | 365.8–914.4 |
| Mature spread (cm) | 365.8–914.4 |
| USDA hardiness zones | 9–11 |
| Light | Full sun |
| Water | Low |
| Sowing method | Transplant |
Growing directions
Carob is a slow-growing evergreen legume tree that fixes atmospheric nitrogen and thrives in dry, rocky, alkaline soils where few other fruits survive; it is exceptionally drought-tolerant once established. Trees are dioecious — plant one male for every 8–10 female trees, or choose hermaphroditic cultivars such as Santa Fe and Clifford that produce fruit without a separate male. The long, dark-brown seed pods ripen in late summer and fall and are left on the tree to dry and sweeten; they are harvested when fully brown, dry, and the seeds rattle inside. Carob pods are sweet and chocolatey and used ground as a cocoa substitute or in stock feed.
Source and local conditions
Typical planning ranges from OpenPlantDB (CC0). Cultivar, climate, season and growing method can change these values. Confirm the seed label and local guidance before planting.
Source & verification
OpenPlantDB · CC0