Carob
Ceratonia siliqua
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Pl. 2DBE — Ceratonia siliqua
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IOverview
Overview
Carob (Ceratonia siliqua) is a tree native to the Mediterranean region and parts of North Africa, including Albania, Algeria, Cyprus, France, Greece, Iran, Italy, Lebanon-Syria, Morocco, Palestine, Spain, Tunisia, Turkey, and Yugoslavia. Known for its edible seedpods and distinctive sweet flavor, carob has been cultivated for centuries as a source of food and medicine. The tree thrives in light to medium soil with a pH between 6.5 and 7, making it adaptable to various growing conditions. With a height of up to 15 meters and a width of 6 meters, the carob tree is recognizable by its large size and its ability to grow in dry, moist environments. Its light energy requirement suggests that it can tolerate partial shade but prefers full sun. The seedpods are edible parts of the plant, often used as a substitute for chocolate due to their sweet taste.
Quick answers
What is Carob?
Carob (Ceratonia siliqua) is a tree native to the Mediterranean region and parts of North Africa, including Albania, Algeria, Cyprus, France, Greece, Iran, Italy, Lebanon-Syria, Morocco, Palestine, Spain, Tunisia, Turkey, and Yugoslavia.
What is Carob used for?
Traditionally used for digestion. Each claim is evidence-rated — see Section II for full citations.
Best for
Top 1 evidence-ranked use of Carob
Clinicaluses · safety · chemistry · dosagemedicinal profile
IIBenefits & evidence
1 claim · 0 sources
Benefits & evidence
1 claim · 0 sources- Traditional-use note: Carob appears in herbal sources around after-meal comfort traditions, often as a decoction. PlantSage presents this as ethnobotanical context, not as medical advice.
Traditional context only. This reviewed claim keeps the original low confidence level, but avoids treatment, disease, dosage, or guaranteed-effect language.
IV·bMixology suggestions
1 draft
Mixology suggestions
1 draftEditorial drafts. These pairings are AI-suggested from traditional herbal lore. Always verify with a qualified herbalist before brewing.
Carob support blend
generaltea
AI returned a direct ingredient list; normalized into one draft blend for editorial review.
Growingconditions · propagation · uses
VCultivation
Cultivation
Carob thrives in well-draining soils that are light to medium in texture and prefers a pH between 6.5 and 7. It is adaptable to dry to moist conditions but requires consistent watering during the growing season for optimal fruit production. This tree, hardy in temperate regions, grows up to 15 meters tall with a spread of 6 meters. For propagation, use seed pods or seeds, which are edible parts of the plant. Ensure it receives full sun to partial shade for best growth and fruiting.
Light
8/10
Water
Dry, Moist
Soil
Light (sandy), Medium
Hardiness
9-11
Habit
Tree
Mature size
15.0 m × 6 m
Soil pH
6.5–7
For first-time growers
How to grow Carob for the first time
8steps
Start with a simple, low-maintenance tree that will thrive in your garden.
- 1
What you'll need
Carob seeds or seedlings, potting soil if planting in containers.
- 2
Best time to plant
Plant in spring when the last frost has passed.
- 3
Soil and container prep
Use well-draining soil with a pH between 6.5 and 7. Ensure containers are at least 1 meter wide.
- 4
Sowing or transplanting
Plant seeds about 2 cm deep, spaced 3-4 meters apart for trees.
- 5
First two weeks
Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Monitor for pests and diseases.
- 6
Ongoing care
Water regularly during dry periods. Fertilize once a year with organic compost.
- 7
Harvest or pruning
Prune in late winter to maintain shape and remove dead branches. Harvest seedpods when they turn brown.
- 8
Common mistakes
Overwatering, planting too close together, neglecting pruning, using chemical fertilizers.
VIEdible & utility
Edible & utility
Edible parts:SeedSeedpod
Edible uses: Chocolate, Coffee, Egg, Gum
Other uses:CosmeticAnimal feedGumTanninLumberNitrogen fixer
Contextrange · companions · related
VIIDistribution
20 native · 10 introduced
Distribution
20 native · 10 introducedDistribution across4 continents· 20 native· 10 introduced
Europe7 regions
native (6)AlbaniaCyprusFranceGreeceItalySpain
introduced (1)Portugal
Asia7 regions
native (3)IranPalestineTurkey
introduced (4)IndiaIraqPakistanYemen
Americas1 region
introduced (1)Peru
Africa8 regions
native (4)AlgeriaLibyaMoroccoTunisia
introduced (4)AngolaKenyaZambiaZimbabwe
Broader regions
native:East Aegean Is., Kriti, Lebanon-Syria, Sinai, Yugoslavia
IXSpecimen gallery
1 image
Specimen gallery
1 imageXSee also
8 related
See also
8 relatedPlants you might compare or use together — scored by shared family, common use cases, and growing requirements.
shared use cases
Different families, similar therapeutic role — good for comparing.
XI
Explore further
Companion planting
Health goals
Compare with similar plants
Growing zone
XII
About this entry
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- Citation
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