About California Baobabs

Hi, I'm Stephen, and I'm simply a big ol' fan of baobabs. I love everything about them. They tickle me.

Where the seeds come from

When I find a source with really good seed, I import it in bulk, handle the import permits and inspections, and test every batch for viability before it goes out. Then I share it with other enthusiasts at a fair price. You get fresh, true-to-species seed without the paperwork or the guesswork.

Several of the species I sell are endangered in the wild. I source seeds that don't contribute to the loss of natural populations, and I don't sell the ones that shouldn't be sold.

The trees

I'm a hobbyist, not a big nursery. The trees are a small backyard operation here in Southern California. I grow a handful of seedlings from those same seeds each year and ship them bare root. They go fast — join the waitlist if you want one.

Why baobabs

There's a silent baobab crisis happening as you read this — dozens of the world's oldest baobab trees are collapsing due to climate change, and the rarest species are losing their habitat. The mission at California Baobabs is to popularize responsible conservation and cultivation of the tree, to increase the number of these drought tolerant, superfood generating, miracle trees in appropriate biomes throughout the world. Thousands of years from now, our descendants could reap the benefits of the trees we plant today.

Growing help

Everything on this site comes from my own experience. I've tried most of the germination and growing methods out there, and what I've learned is that they all work and they all don't work — it depends on your environment. I recommend doing a lot of research, and most of all, patience. Baobabs are wonderful teachers of patience.

I'm always here to answer questions and share in your challenges and victories while you grow your sometimes very stubborn trees. Say hi.

Grow Baby Grow!
— Stephen