Carob trees grow from the seeds held with carob pods. This tree, also know as St. John's beard, produces a sweet fruit that, when processed, tastes similar to chocolate. With over 80 different varieties, the carob tree can provide you with a tall and full bush, reaching to 55 feet at its maturity. The carob tree thrives in a mild climate without severe heat or cold. Learn how to grow a Carob tree from the seeds within the pod to add interest to your landscaping.

  • Carob trees grow from the seeds held with carob pods.

Split open the carob pod gently with your fingers or dull knife and take out the seeds. Discard the pod.

Fill a Thermos with warm water around 26.7 degrees Celsius. Place the seeds in the water and seal the Thermos for four hours or more hours until the seeds look swollen. Carob seeds that have been dormant for an extended period of time are resistant to water and gases needed to help the seed germinate.

  • Fill a Thermos with warm water around 26.7 degrees Celsius.
  • Place the seeds in the water and seal the Thermos for four hours or more hours until the seeds look swollen.

Poke a hole in the centre of a wet, sandy loam and place seeds in individual tree tubes and plant seeds 1 to 2 inches deep. Keep the loam very moist for six weeks as the seeds grow.

Transfer the seedlings to the ground at a planting depth of 1 to 2 inches once the carob seedlings reach 3 to 4 inches high. Plant in full sun. The temperature in the soil should be above 17.8 degrees Celsius. Place them in a sandy or rock like area for optimum growth. Carob seedlings will sprout the best with a soil pH range of 6.2 to 8.6. Water the ground regularly for young seedlings. Ground should be damp, but not wet.

TIP

Female trees produce large, light pink blooms when mature. Plant seedlings in rich soil to help avoid root rot.

WARNING

Plant seedlings in an area away from animals. Avoid planting seedlings in a clay loam.