Carob (Ceratonia siliqua)

Carob is a unique plant that does not require much maintenance at all, it will thrive even on rocky soil condition and with little water possible.

Cultivated around the world for its sweet and nutritious fruits, carob seeds were once used to weigh gold, which is where the word ‘carat’ is derived. The Spanish brought carob growing to Mexico and South America, and the British introduced carob trees to South Africa, India and Australia.

Thriving in Mediterranean-like climes, carob grows well anywhere that citrus grows and is grown for its fruit (pod), which is most familiarly known for its use ground into a flour and substituted for cocoa beans. Carob powder is a healthy alternative to cocoa powder, although minimally processed cocoa powder has some health benefits of its own. Since carob powder is naturally sweet, there's no need to add sugar or other sweeteners when using it in your favorite recipes.

The long, flat brown carob pods (4 to 12 inches (10 to 30.5 cm.)) also contain a polysaccharide gum, which is odorless, tasteless, and colorless, and is used in many products.

Our Carob Plant is very healthy looking plant and have had some good growth.

Plant Care 

• Soil: Prefers well-drained, sandy soil with a pH of 6.0 to 8.5. Tolerates poor soil conditions.
• Watering: Drought-tolerant once established but requires regular watering during the first few years or during extremely dry periods.
• Temperature: Thrives in temperatures between 15°C and 30°C. Very heat-tolerant and can withstand temperatures up to 40°C. Mature plants are frost-hardy to about -6°C.
• Light: Full sun is ideal to ensure vigorous growth and optimal pod production.
• Fertilising: Generally requires little fertilization. If necessary, use a low-nitrogen, phosphorus-rich fertilizer annually.
• Pruning: Prune to shape the tree and remove dead or damaged branches in late winter. Pruning helps in maintaining plant health and enhancing pod production.
• Mulching: Apply organic mulch to conserve soil moisture, particularly in hot, dry regions.
• Pest Control: Relatively pest-free. Monitor for common garden pests and treat organically if necessary.
• Flowering and Fruiting: Flowers in spring with fruit maturing in the autumn. The pods are harvested when fully ripe and brown.
• Potting: Not typically grown in pots due to its size but young plants can start in containers before transplanting.
• Feeding Regime: Carob trees generally require minimal feeding. Supplement with a phosphorus-rich fertilizer if growth appears stunted or pod production is poor.