Carob Ceratonia siliqua
Carob (Ceratonia siliqua) is an evergreen perennial tree in the Fabaceae family, native to Eastern Mediterranean. It grows 6–12 m (20–39 ft) tall and 6–10 m (20–33 ft) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about -5 °C (23 °F). Space plants about 9 m (30 ft) apart.
Plan Carob in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Carob at a glance
| Type | Perennial tree, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Fabaceae |
| Mature height | 6–12 m (20–39 ft) |
| Mature spread | 6–10 m (20–33 ft) |
| Spacing | 9 m (30 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance high, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 6–8.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -5 °C (23 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 9) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 45 °C (113 °F) |
| Flowering | from about September for 6–9 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Yes: ripe pods (sweet; cocoa substitute) |
| Native to | Eastern Mediterranean |
| Common in gardens of | 🇪🇸 Spain, 🇵🇹 Portugal, 🇮🇹 Italy, 🇬🇷 Greece, 🇲🇦 Morocco, 🇮🇱 Israel, 🇹🇷 Turkey, 🇪🇬 Egypt |
Is Carob 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 Carob
Good neighbours
- good With Sweet corn: "Three sisters": climbing beans use corn as a support and fix nitrogen; the benefit to the corn is modest but real in low-input soils. Evidence C
Keep apart or take care
- caution With Alliums (onion family): Onions, garlic and leeks are said to stunt beans and peas (allium root exudates may reduce nodulation). Traditional companion-planting advice; controlled trials are few, so treat it as a soft preference. Evidence D
- caution With Alliums (onion family): Beans and peas are traditionally kept away from onions, garlic and leeks. Traditional companion-planting advice; controlled trials are few, so treat it as a soft preference. Evidence D
- caution With Fennel: Fennel is reported to suppress beans and peas growing next to it. Evidence C
Questions about Carob
- How far apart should I plant Carob?
- About 9 m (30 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 6–10 m (20–33 ft).
- Does Carob need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Carob need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is high and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Carob?
- It tolerates about -5 °C (23 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 9.
- When does Carob flower?
- From about September for 6–9 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Carob 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 Carob?
- "Three sisters": climbing beans use corn as a support and fix nitrogen; the benefit to the corn is modest but real in low-input soils.
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- Euro+Med PlantBase, Botanic Garden and Botanical Museum Berlin
- EcoCrop crop environmental requirements, FAO
- UF/IFAS Extension tropical and subtropical fruit and landscape publications, University of Florida
Notes and assumptions
- Seeds are so uniform they gave their name to the carat. Most trees are male or female: plant both, or a grafted hermaphrodite.
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
- Bush bean Phaseolus vulgaris
- Garden pea Pisum sativum
- Sweet pea Lathyrus odoratus
- Runner bean Phaseolus coccineus
- Broad bean (fava) Vicia faba
- Lima bean Phaseolus lunatus
- Cowpea (black-eyed pea) Vigna unguiculata
- Yardlong bean Vigna unguiculata subsp. sesquipedalis