Intermediate
skill rating
Online Garden Tools
Useful videos
Ceratonia siliqua (Carob)
1 hour care
per year
per year
15m
Max height
Max height
15m
Max spread
Max spread
20-50 years
To maturity
To maturity
Plant details
Botanical name
Ceratonia siliqua
Other names
Carob, St John's bread, Locust bean, Chocar, Egyptian fig, Carat, Algoroba bean, Algorroba bean, European locust tree, Karoub, Tragaso
Genus
Ceratonia Ceratonia
Species
C. siliqua - C. siliqua is a tender, spreading, evergreen tree with pinnate leaves divided into broadly ovate, glossy, mid- to dark green leaflets and catkin-like racemes of pale yellow flowers turning orange-red when mature. On female trees, flowers are followed by elongated, curved, dark brown pods containing edible seeds.
Ceratonia siliqua is: Evergreen
Habit
Spreading
Flower
Red, Yellow in Summer; Yellow, Red in Autumn
Foliage
Dark-green in All seasons
How to care
Watch out for
General care
Pruning
Pruning group 1.
Propagation
Treat seed with hot water followed by soaking for three days prior to sowing. Sow at 22-26C
Propagation methods
Seed
Sign up for your FREE ACCOUNT today or login to receive detailed monthly care instructions
Where to grow
Ceratonia siliqua (Carob) will reach a height of 15m and a spread of 15m after 20-50 years.
Suggested uses
Sub-Tropical, Specimen tree, Architectural
Cultivation
Grown in poor to moderately fertile, well-drained soil in sun with shelter from early morning sun, frost, and cold, drying winds. Will not tolerate heavy clay. Tolerates drought and coastal conditions. Male flowers have an unpleasant scent. In areas with cold, harsh winters, grow in a container and overwinter indoors.
Soil type
Chalky, Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Full Sun
Aspect
South, East, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
Companion plants
We do not currently have companion plants added for this plant.
Botanical name
Ceratonia siliqua
Other names
Carob, St John's bread, Locust bean, Chocar, Egyptian fig, Carat, Algoroba bean, Algorroba bean, European locust tree, Karoub, Tragaso
Genus
Ceratonia Ceratonia
Species
C. siliqua - C. siliqua is a tender, spreading, evergreen tree with pinnate leaves divided into broadly ovate, glossy, mid- to dark green leaflets and catkin-like racemes of pale yellow flowers turning orange-red when mature. On female trees, flowers are followed by elongated, curved, dark brown pods containing edible seeds.
Native to
Mediterranean
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Spreading
Create your free Shoot garden
Create your free SHOOT garden and make a record of the plants in your garden.
Add your own photos, notes, get monthly email reminders on how to care for your plants, and connect with other gardeners. Get started now.
Colour
Flower
Red, Yellow in Summer; Yellow, Red in Autumn
Foliage
Dark-green in All seasons
General care
Pruning
Pruning group 1.
Propagation
Treat seed with hot water followed by soaking for three days prior to sowing. Sow at 22-26C
Propagation methods
Seed
Monthly care advice
Get access to monthly care advice
Create a free SHOOT account and get instant access to expert care advice for this and other plants in your garden.
You'll also receive handy monthly email reminders of what needs doing. Create your free account.
Where to grow
Ceratonia siliqua (Carob) will reach a height of 15m and a spread of 15m after 20-50 years.
Suggested uses
Sub-Tropical, Specimen tree, Architectural
Cultivation
Grown in poor to moderately fertile, well-drained soil in sun with shelter from early morning sun, frost, and cold, drying winds. Will not tolerate heavy clay. Tolerates drought and coastal conditions. Male flowers have an unpleasant scent. In areas with cold, harsh winters, grow in a container and overwinter indoors.
Soil type
Chalky, Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Full Sun
Aspect
South, East, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
USDA zones
Zone 11, Zone 10, Zone 9
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Chalky, Loamy, Sandy | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Well-drained | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Full Sun | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | South, East, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Hardy (H4) | Tell us... |
ARTICLES WITH THIS PLANT
Shoot member Simon is building a garden oasis in Turkey. The garden is still being developed and Simon turned to Shoot to help plan out the space using our newly improved garden planner software. read more
By award-winning landscape designer James Basson. Taking inspiration from the unique Mediterranean landscape of Malta, the design for the M&G Garden 2017 draws on the ecological diversity and… read more
Nick Bailey Designs Show Garden at RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2016 to highlight the Beauty of Mathematical Principles in Nature read more
To add ? to your lists,
login to your account or subscribe.
Find out more about plant lists here
or Login
To add notes for this plant login to your account or register for a new account.
Sign up for freeor Login
To add images for this plant login to your account or register for a new account.
Sign up for freeor Login
To check if this plant is suitable for your garden first login to your account or subscribe.
or Login