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Carob

Ceratonia siliqua
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Ceratonia siliqua (Carob) — botanical photograph
Pl. 2DBE — Ceratonia siliqua
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I

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
Jump to full evidence →
Clinicaluses · safety · chemistry · dosagemedicinal profile
II

Benefits & evidence

1 claim · traditional-use context
Traditional-use context
These notes are presented as ethnobotanical context. No cited clinical references are catalogued for this plant yet.
  • 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.

    ▲ LimitedDigestion →
IV·b

Mixology suggestions

1 draft
Editorial drafts. These pairings are AI-suggested from traditional herbal lore. Always verify with a qualified herbalist before brewing.
Carob support blend
general
tea
AI returned a direct ingredient list; normalized into one draft blend for editorial review.
Growingconditions · propagation · uses
V

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. 1

    What you'll need

    Carob seeds or seedlings, potting soil if planting in containers.

  2. 2

    Best time to plant

    Plant in spring when the last frost has passed.

  3. 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. 4

    Sowing or transplanting

    Plant seeds about 2 cm deep, spaced 3-4 meters apart for trees.

  5. 5

    First two weeks

    Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Monitor for pests and diseases.

  6. 6

    Ongoing care

    Water regularly during dry periods. Fertilize once a year with organic compost.

  7. 7

    Harvest or pruning

    Prune in late winter to maintain shape and remove dead branches. Harvest seedpods when they turn brown.

  8. 8

    Common mistakes

    Overwatering, planting too close together, neglecting pruning, using chemical fertilizers.

VI

Edible & utility

Edible parts:SeedSeedpod
Edible uses: Chocolate, Coffee, Egg, Gum
Other uses:CosmeticAnimal feedGumTanninLumberNitrogen fixer
Contextrange · companions · related
VII

Distribution

20 native · 29 introduced
Distribution across4 continents· 20 native· 29 introduced
Europe9 regions
native (6)AlbaniaCyprusFranceGreeceItalySpain
introduced (3)FrancePortugalSpain
Asia8 regions
native (3)IranPalestineTurkey
introduced (5)ChinaIndiaIraqPakistanYemen
Americas1 region
introduced (1)Peru
Africa14 regions
native (4)AlgeriaLibyaMoroccoTunisia
introduced (10)AngolaCabo VerdeEthiopiaKenyaMozambiqueNamibiaSudanTanzaniaZambiaZimbabwe
Broader regions
native:East Aegean Is., Kriti, Lebanon-Syria, Sinai, Yugoslavia
introduced:Cape Provinces, Mexico Southwest, New South Wales, Northern Provinces, South Australia, Transcaucasus, Trinidad-Tobago, Tubuai Is.
IX

Specimen gallery

1 image
Ceratonia siliqua (Carob) — botanical photograph
Carob (Ceratonia siliqua)
X

See also

8 related
XI

Explore further

Companion planting
Growing zone
XII

About this entry

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