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 long-lasting source of food and biomass for the entire ecosystem.

It is harvested now — September is one of the harvest months.

See the guild for a carob on your land

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Needs

Water: Low
Light: Full sun
Size: Broad-canopied tree 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 cocoa substitute, and their pulp possesses astringent properties effective in treating infantile intestinal disorders.

Where to buy

May grow well with

Suggestions worked out from growing conditions — same soil and climate, complementary layers and functions. These are not observed guilds; treat them as a starting point to try on your own land.