Ceratonia siliqua (Carob Tree) is a flowering tree that is native to the Mediterranean and the Middle East. Carob trees have a wide range of uses but are most known for its ability to substitute chocolate. It is grown commercially for its seed pods, wood and for its ornamental value. Carob trees are drought tolerant, cold hardy to -5°C / 23°F and grow well in a range of different soils.
Ceratonia siliqua is the ideal tree for any sustainable backyard.
Other common names include the Locust Bean, St John’s Bread, and Locust Tree.
Carob trees have been recorded as far back as the Roman Empire. During this period, the Romans used Carob seeds to balance out the weights of precious stones and gold. The solidus, a coin made of pure gold weighed a total of 24 Carob seeds or roughly 4.5 grams. Which is where term 24 ‘carat’ came from when describing an alloy as being 100% pure gold.
One of the main uses of carob in modern times is as a substitute for chocolate in dog treats. Chocolate contains theobromine which is toxic to dogs whereas carob doesn’t.
Growth
Ceratonia siliqua is a hardy, versatile tree that grows to a height of around 15 metres (49 feet). The trees grow in a range of climates but thrive in dry, hot conditions. It can be fast growing and will often produce their prized seed pods in three to five years. Carob trees are drought hardy but will produce higher yields when grown in locations that receive 500 millimetres (19.7 inches) of rainfall per year. They are also frost tolerant and can succeed as an ornamental where temperatures drop as low as -5°C / 23°F.
Seeds germinate easily during spring and autumn of most climates after being soaked in water. During flowering and fruiting periods, trees do best when a high nitrogen fertiliser is added regularly. Carob trees are often grown in pots in temperate regions until after their second winter.
We ran our own test on the cold hardiness of the Carob tree. A tray of three month old seedlings were left outside, uncovered throughout the entire Melbourne winter of 2020. They were watered regularly but given no protection from the wind, rain or frost. The worst temperature we had was -2°C / 28°F in our area. One of the pictures included here is of those seedlings in the Spring after. – The Seed Vine 🙂
Note: Germination instructions can be found in the ‘Germination Instructions Tab’ below. Upon purchase you will receive these detailed instructions via email so that you have a permanent record.
FAMILY:
Fabaceae
CLIMATE:
Cold, Temperate, Mediterranean, Sub-Tropical, Tropical
TEMPERATURE RANGE:
-5 to 40°C / 23 to 104°F
SOIL TYPE:
Soil must be well draining.
LOCATION:
Full Sun – Part Shade
HEIGHT:
Up to 15 metres (49 feet)
WIDTH:
Up to 3 metres (10 feet)
pH:
5.0-7.0
GROWTH TYPE:
Evergreen
WATER REQUIREMENTS:
Light – Medium
POLLINATION:
Flies, Bees and Wasps.
MATURITY:
3-5 years
GERMINATION RATES:
70-85%
GERMINATION TIME:
2-4 weeks
GERMINATION DIFFICULTY:
Medium
SEEDS PER GRAM:
Approximately 8
MEDICINAL QUALITIES:
Yes
WEED POTENTIAL:
No
FACTS ABOUT CERATONIA SILIQUA (Carob Tree)
Portugal produced as much 30% of the world’s carob in 2017.
A flour made from the seedpods is used in the cosmetic industry to make face-packs.
Carob trees are often grown as a shade tree in commercial field crops such as coffee and chilli plants.
