Inside the leathery pods of the carob tree, you’ll find small, sturdy seeds. With a few pro tips, you can actually harvest these and grow your own beautiful carob plants from scratch! Here is everything you need to know about these unique little seeds.
Characteristics of Carob Seeds
The seeds are tucked away inside the fruit (or pod) of the carob tree. Since these pods can get pretty long, a single one can hold quite a few seeds—usually anywhere from ten to fifteen. However, if you want to use them for planting, you can’t just toss them in the dirt; they need a little bit of prep work first.
Patience is key here, as it takes a while for these seeds to develop. It actually takes a full year from the time the flowers are pollinated for the pods to fully ripen. This means you shouldn’t pick the pods too early if you’re planning on gardening with them. Also, keep in mind that a carob tree won’t even start flowering until it’s several years old.
Seed Quick Facts:
- Shape: Lens-shaped (like a lentil)
- Color: Brown
- Location: Found inside the carob pods
- Special Note: Requires specific preparation before planting
Propagating Carob Trees from Seed
How to Successfully Grow Carob from Seed
You can harvest seeds directly from a tree or just buy them from a specialty garden shop. If you’re going the DIY route with harvested seeds, you’ll need to follow a specific process to get them to sprout. The most important step? Soak the seeds in water for about 24 hours before planting to soften them up.
Once they’ve soaked, fill a pot with seed-starting mix—ideally a substrate that is slightly lime-rich. Plant the seeds about 1/8 to 3/8 of an inch (3 to 10 mm) below the surface. Now comes the waiting game! Place the pot in a warm spot, but make sure it’s not sitting in harsh, direct sunlight. If all goes well, you should see those little sprouts popping up in about three weeks.
