African baobab Adansonia digitata
African baobab (Adansonia digitata) is a deciduous perennial tree in the Malvaceae family, native to Dry savanna of tropical Africa. It grows 10–25 m (33–82 ft) tall and 10–20 m (33–66 ft) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about 0 °C (32 °F). Space plants about 15 m (49 ft) apart.
Plan African baobab in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
African baobab at a glance
| Type | Perennial tree, deciduous |
|---|---|
| Family | Malvaceae |
| Mature height | 10–25 m (33–82 ft) |
| Mature spread | 10–20 m (33–66 ft) |
| Spacing | 15 m (49 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 8 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance high, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 6–8.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About 0 °C (32 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 10) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 46 °C (115 °F) |
| Flowering | from about October for 4–9 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Yes: fruit pulp ("monkey bread"), young leaves, seeds |
| Native to | Dry savanna of tropical Africa |
| Common in gardens of | 🇿🇦 South Africa, 🇸🇬 Singapore |
Is African baobab toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
No toxicity reported in ASPCA or standard poison references.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with African baobab
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and low water.
See African baobab in a botanical garden
It grows in these sample gardens, which you can walk through in 3D:
- Gardens by the Bay (2 plants)
- Kirstenbosch (1 plants)
Questions about African baobab
- How far apart should I plant African baobab?
- About 15 m (49 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 10–20 m (33–66 ft).
- Does African baobab need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 8 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does African baobab need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is high and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is African baobab?
- It tolerates about 0 °C (32 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 10.
- When does African baobab flower?
- From about October for 4–9 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is African baobab poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. No toxicity reported in ASPCA or standard poison references.
- What grows well with African baobab?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for African baobab. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (low).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- PlantZAfrica, South African National Biodiversity Institute
Notes and assumptions
- Tropical: outdoors only where frost never occurs; elsewhere under heated glass.
- Massive water-storing trunk (to 10–14 m round) and stubby branches: leafless much of the year, looking "planted upside down". Bat-pollinated night flowers. Some live over 2,000 years.
- Grown in the cooled-dry Flower Dome at Gardens by the Bay.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
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- Hollyhock Alcea rosea
- Tropical hibiscus Hibiscus rosa-sinensis
- Rose of Sharon Hibiscus syriacus
- Small-leaved lime (linden) Tilia cordata
- Cacao Theobroma cacao
- Durian Durio zibethinus
- Red silk-cotton tree (kapok) Bombax ceiba