Carob Seeds

Grow your own Carob Tree (Ceratonia siliqua) with our quality Carob Seeds. Also known as St John’s-bread or Locust Bean, Carob is an attractive evergreen tree belonging to the pea family, Fabaceae.

Carob is widely grown for its edible seed pods and is also valued as an ornamental tree. The mature pods have a naturally sweet flavour and can be dried and ground into Carob Powder, which is commonly used as an alternative to cocoa powder.

Carob is well suited to warm, sunny gardens and can become a long-lived feature tree when given suitable growing conditions.

Growing Carob from Seed

Carob is relatively easy to grow from seed. Before sowing, the seeds can be soaked in water until they have swollen to around twice their original size. This helps soften the hard seed coat and can encourage germination.

After soaking, plant the seeds in a good-quality, well-drained seed-raising mix. Keep the growing medium lightly moist while the seeds germinate, but avoid keeping it waterlogged.

Once the seedlings are large enough to handle, transplant them carefully into individual pots. Allow the young trees to establish and develop a strong root system before planting them into their permanent position.

Caring for Carob Trees

Carob prefers a sunny position and well-drained soil. It can tolerate a wide range of soil types provided there is good drainage.

Once established, Carob is well suited to relatively dry conditions. Young trees need regular watering while they develop, particularly during dry weather. As the tree matures, it generally becomes more tolerant of periods of dryness.

Carob can tolerate some frost once established, although young trees may benefit from protection in colder areas. Choose a sheltered position where possible, particularly if your garden experiences heavy or prolonged frosts.

Give the tree plenty of room to develop. Carob can eventually become a substantial evergreen tree, so consider its mature size when choosing a planting position.

Carob Pods

Carob trees are valued for their distinctive pods, which develop as the tree matures. The ripe pods are naturally sweet and have been used as a food ingredient for generations.

Dried Carob pods can be ground into a fine powder. Carob Powder is commonly used in baking, desserts, drinks and other recipes as an alternative to cocoa.

Growing Carob from seed is a rewarding long-term project. The trees grow steadily under suitable conditions and can become an attractive and productive feature in a warm garden.

Carob Plant Information

Botanical name: Ceratonia siliqua
Common names: Carob, St John’s-bread, Locust Bean
Family: Fabaceae
Plant type: Evergreen tree
Fruit: Edible seed pods
Growing conditions: Full sun, well-drained soil
Form: Seeds