Desert date (soapberry tree, lalob) Balanites aegyptiaca
Desert date (soapberry tree, lalob) (Balanites aegyptiaca) is an evergreen perennial tree in the Zygophyllaceae family, native to Sahel and dry savanna of Africa, through Egypt to Arabia and the Jordan valley. It grows 6–10 m (20–33 ft) tall and 4–8 m (13–26 ft) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about 0 °C (32 °F). Space plants about 6 m (20 ft) apart.
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Desert date (soapberry tree, lalob) at a glance
| Type | Perennial tree, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Zygophyllaceae |
| Mature height | 6–10 m (20–33 ft) |
| Mature spread | 4–8 m (13–26 ft) |
| Spacing | 6 m (20 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 8 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance high, waterlogging tolerance low |
| Soil pH | 6–9 |
| Cold hardiness | About 0 °C (32 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 10) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 48 °C (118 °F) |
| Flowering | from about March for 4–9 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | High |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Yes: ripe fruit pulp (sweet-bitter), seed kernel oil, young leaves and flowers (cooked) |
| Native to | Sahel and dry savanna of Africa, through Egypt to Arabia and the Jordan valley |
| Common in gardens of | 🇪🇬 Egypt, 🇳🇬 Nigeria, 🇰🇪 Kenya, 🇪🇹 Ethiopia, 🇮🇱 Israel |
Is Desert date (soapberry tree, lalob) toxic?
- People: mildly toxic
- Cats: not well documented
- Dogs: not well documented
- Parts: bark, unripe fruit, roots
Rich in saponins (used as soap and to poison fish and snails); the ripe fruit pulp is eaten. Long green spines.
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 Desert date (soapberry tree, lalob)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and low water.
Questions about Desert date (soapberry tree, lalob)
- How far apart should I plant Desert date (soapberry tree, lalob)?
- About 6 m (20 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 4–8 m (13–26 ft).
- Does Desert date (soapberry tree, lalob) need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 8 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Desert date (soapberry tree, lalob) need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is high and waterlogging tolerance low.
- How cold-hardy is Desert date (soapberry tree, lalob)?
- It tolerates about 0 °C (32 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 10.
- When does Desert date (soapberry tree, lalob) flower?
- From about March for 4–9 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Desert date (soapberry tree, lalob) poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not well documented; for dogs not well documented; for people mildly toxic. Rich in saponins (used as soap and to poison fish and snails); the ripe fruit pulp is eaten. Long green spines.
- What grows well with Desert date (soapberry tree, lalob)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Desert date (soapberry tree, lalob). 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
- Agroforestree Database: a tree reference and selection guide, World Agroforestry (CIFOR-ICRAF), Nairobi
- Lost Crops of Africa, vol. I Grains (1996), II Vegetables (2006), III Fruits (2008), National Research Council, National Academies Press, Washington DC
Notes and assumptions
- A savanna plant of hot summers and a long dry season; it wants sharp drainage and resents cold, wet winters.
- An extremely tough, spiny tree of the Sahel that stays green in the dry season. Its stones have been found in Egyptian tombs of the Twelfth Dynasty.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
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