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Trees

Ceratonia siliqua

carob

A Mediterranean evergreen shrubby tree with thick brown bark and dark green, leathery, pinnate leaves. Tiny green-tinted red flowers in racemes 2-6cm long, during spring, are followed by edible black-brown leathery pods containing a sweet pulp

Other common names

algoroba bean
algorroba bean
see morecarob tree
European locust tree
karoub
locust bean
St John's bread
tragasol

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Plant nurseries
2 suppliers

Ultimate height

8–12 metres

Time to ultimate height

10–20 years

Ultimate spread

4–8 metres

Chalk

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Well–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun

Aspect

West–facing or South–facing

Exposure

Sheltered

Drought resistance

Yes

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Fabaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Bushy
Genus: Ceratonia are evergreen shrubs or small trees with wavy-margined, pinnate leaves. Erect racemes of tiny petal-less flowers are followed by conspicuous bean-like fruit
Name status: Correct
Plant range: Mediteranean, Arabia., Somalia

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in well-drained soil in full sun with shelter from a south or southwest facing wall

Propagation

Propagate by seed soaked in water for 24 hours or propagate by semi-ripe cuttings with bottom heat

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Cottage and informal garden
Mediterranean climate plants

Pruning

Prune only to keep within bounds

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free

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