How to grow Carob in New Zealand
Carob (Ceratonia siliqua) is a slow-growing, evergreen Mediterranean tree whose long, sweet, brown pods are dried and ground as a chocolate substitute. It is extremely drought hardy once established, but it wants a hot, dry, frost-free site, so in New Zealand it is really only for the warmest, driest spots in the north. It is a long-term tree: expect to wait several years for pods.
📖 Our full guide: How to Grow Carob in New Zealand
At a glance
When to plant by region
| Region | When to plant | Regional note |
|---|---|---|
| Northland | September to November | |
| Auckland | September to November | |
| Waikato & Bay of Plenty | Not suited | Wants a hot, dry, frost free site. Too wet and frost prone here. |
| Central North Island | Not suited | Too cold and frosty for carob. |
| Wellington & Lower North Island | Not suited | Too cool and wet for carob. It needs a hot, dry, frost free site. |
| Nelson & Marlborough | Not suited | Winters are too frosty for carob. It needs a hot, dry, frost free site. |
| Canterbury | Not suited | Too frosty for carob. It needs a hot, dry, frost free site. |
| Otago & Southland | Not suited | Too cold and frosty for carob. |
| Central Otago | Not suited | Hard frosts rule out carob. |
Where to plant
Plant carob in full sun in a hot, dry, sheltered spot with free-draining, sandy or loamy soil. It tolerates drought and some salt, but not waterlogged soil. Established trees are reasonably frost hardy, but seedlings and young trees are sensitive to cold, and the tree needs warmth to crop, which is why it suits only the warmest, driest parts of New Zealand.
- Northland and Auckland: only the warmest, driest, frost-free spots. Plant from September to November.
- Waikato and Bay of Plenty, the central North Island, Wellington, Nelson and Marlborough, Canterbury, Otago and Southland, and Central Otago: our calendar marks these as unsuitable, as they are too wet, too cool or too frosty.
How to plant
- Choose a tree from a nursery that is a known female or self-fertile type if you want pods.
- Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and to the same depth in free-draining soil.
- Plant at the same depth as before, water in well and mulch, keeping mulch clear of the trunk.
- Water through the first summer or two while the roots establish.
Watering and feeding
Water young trees regularly until established. Mature trees are very drought hardy and need little watering, though they crop better with some summer moisture. Avoid overwatering.
Pruning and care through the year
- Protect young trees from frost and cold wind.
- Prune lightly to shape, if at all.
Harvesting
Pods take a full year to develop and are ready when they turn dark brown and dry on the tree, usually falling when ripe. Collect them, dry them further in an airy spot, and store them dry, where they keep for months.
Using it
Split the dried pods, remove the hard seeds, and roast and grind the pulp into carob powder for baking and drinks. The pods can also be chewed as they are.
Propagation and saving seed
Carob is usually grown from seed. The hard seed coat needs scarifying: nick, chip or sand one end of the seed before sowing it about 2 cm deep in spring, from September to November, in warmth (20 to 25°C) and bright light. Germination is slow and uneven, taking 2 to 8 weeks. Most seedlings turn out male or female, and only females bear pods, so a grafted tree of a known female or self-fertile type is the reliable choice for fruit.
Pests and diseases
Carob has few pests in New Zealand gardens. Cold, frost and wet soil are the real limits.
Carob is rarely troubled by pests.
Diseases to watch for
- Root rot Yellowing and dieback in wet, poorly drained soil. Plant only in free-draining ground.
Common questions
Can I grow carob in New Zealand?
Only in the warmest, driest, frost-free parts of the north, such as sheltered coastal spots in Northland and Auckland. Elsewhere it is too wet, cool or frosty.
Why has my carob tree not produced pods?
Most carob trees are either male or female, and male trees never produce pods. Trees are also slow, taking several years to bear. Grow a grafted female or self-fertile tree.
How long does carob take to fruit?
Several years, usually six or more from seed, and the pods then take a full year to ripen.
How do I use carob pods?
Dry the pods, remove the hard seeds, then roast and grind the pulp into carob powder for baking and drinks.
Is carob drought tolerant?
Yes, very, once established. It needs regular water only while young, and it hates wet soil.
Sources we checked: Wikipedia: Carob; Kings Seeds: Carob tree.