Ceratonia siliqua

The Ceratonia siliqua is a handsome, evergreen Mediterranean tree grown as much for its heritage and useful pods as for its ornamental value. Commonly known as the carob tree or St John’s bread, it forms a broad, densely branched crown of leathery, glossy dark green leaves. Native to the Mediterranean region, this long-lived, slow-growing tree can eventually reach 1015 m, though it responds well to pruning and is easily kept smaller in cultivation.

A member of the legume family, Ceratonia siliqua is prized for its exceptional toughness: it thrives in heat, poor soils and prolonged drought, making it a classic choice for Mediterranean and low-water gardens. Small red flowers appear in autumn, followed on female trees by long, leathery brown podsthe true carobwhose sweet pulp has been used for centuries as food, animal feed and a natural chocolate substitute. Its hard, remarkably uniform seeds were once used as a standard of weight, giving us the word ‘carat’.

• Evergreen, leathery glossy green pinnate foliage all year round
• Produces long brown edible pods with sweet pulp (carob)
• Exceptionally drought- and heat-tolerant once established
• Long-lived and slow-growing, ideal for Mediterranean gardens
• Easily kept compact with pruning despite its potential size

The carob tree combines rugged, drought-proof resilience with genuine Mediterranean character. Whether grown as a specimen, a shade tree or for its historic edible pods, Ceratonia siliqua brings evergreen structure and a sense of heritage to warm, dry gardens.

IMPORTANT: The pictures show the mother plant, which is not for sale. The offer includes a plant with the dimensions stated in the description.