Carob
Ceratonia siliqua
- Layer 1 · Canopy
- Edible companion
Status by region
No restrictions recorded in the lists we checked.
Checked against the European Union list (Regulation 1143/2014) · Portugal's national invasive species list (Decreto-Lei 92/2019).
Information based on the cited sources, not legal advice — always confirm your local rules.
About
The carob tree (*Ceratonia siliqua*) is a medium-sized, slow-growing evergreen tree, native to the Mediterranean Basin and highly adapted to dry climates. In a food forest, it forms part of the main canopy layer, playing a vital role in wind protection, creating shaded microclimates, and improving soil structure. Its edible pods, rich in sugars and fibre, offer a lasting source of food and biomass for the entire ecosystem.
See the guild for a carob on your land
Tell us where your land is and we'll show the companion plants that grow well with this tree.
No account needed.
Needs
- Water: Low
- Light: Full sun
- Size: Tree with a broad crown up to 15 m
- Mature diameter: 10 m
- Soils: Clay, Loam, Sandy, Limestone
- Climates: Hot, dry Mediterranean
Calendar
- January
- February — Planting
- March — Planting
- April
- May
- June
- July
- August — Harvest
- September — Harvest
- October — Harvest — Planting
- November — Planting
- December — Planting
- Harvest
- Planting
Medicinal use: The pods are used in cooking as a caffeine-free substitute for cocoa, and their pulp has astringent properties effective in the treatment of childhood intestinal disorders.
Where to buy
Related plants
Other species in the same layer or with the same function.
See the guild for a carob on your land
Tell us where your land is and we'll show the companion plants that grow well with this tree.
No account needed.
Not ready to map your land yet?
Get the free mini-guide to starting an edible forest.