Grow
Baobab Grow Guide
Everything you need to grow a baobab from seed or care for a young tree: location, water, light, soil, indoor growing, pests and germination.
Just got seeds or a tree? Start here.
Location
Baobabs are tropical deciduous trees and can live outdoors in most climates that don't freeze. Older plants can tolerate occasional light frost, but your trees should otherwise be protected. Not sure about your area? Here's where baobabs can grow outdoors.
Watering
Baobabs have two modes — growth and dormancy. From late spring to the end of summer, your baobab will thrive with lots of water (along with the heat). As the temperature falls, hold back on watering. You are most likely to kill a baobab by overwatering during this time. Even during the growing season, don't worry about letting it be thirsty while you're on vacation. They are basically camels.
Lighting
Baobabs are adapted to thrive in harsh, direct sunlight with high temperatures. Indirect light will encourage your tree to grow leggy and weak. During the growing season, give them direct sunlight if possible. They'll still adapt to other conditions, but it's not ideal.
Soil and fertilizer
Baobabs are, by most means, succulents, and thrive in dry, well-draining soils. Make sure your soil isn't too rich in nutrients — the baobab is accustomed to harsh, arid conditions. My simple recommendation is 50% cactus/citrus soil and 50% sand. You can also build a base of sand and crushed pumice with 25–50% store-bought cactus soil mixed in.
Indoor growing
Your baobab doesn't need to become a giant if you don't want it to. These adaptable trees can be grown indoors, especially during the winter, and will grow to fit the size of the pot you choose. When growing in pots, quadruple the amount of drainage holes you'd typically drill to ensure proper drainage. More in growing baobabs in pots in cold climates.
Pests
Every part of the baobab tree is edible to humans, which means it's a tasty treat for most pests too. While the trunk can survive losing its leaves to an infestation, you'll want to prevent this as best you can. I recommend filling your garden with beneficial predators, but I still have to occasionally use a wet Q-tip to wipe down bad aphid infestations on young plants.
Germination
Baobab seeds have a hard outer seed coat that can keep them dormant for decades. There are many ways to germinate baobab seeds, but the safest way is to soak and sow. It may take the longest, but it gives your seed the best shot of germinating without rot getting in the way. The full germination guide walks through it step by step.
Have questions? Email me!
Common questions
Can you grow a baobab tree indoors?
Yes. Baobabs adapt to pots and will grow to fit the container you choose. Give them the sunniest window you have, very fast-draining soil, and keep them mostly dry while dormant in winter.
Where can baobab trees grow outdoors?
Outdoors year-round only where it essentially never freezes. Older plants can tolerate an occasional light frost, but young trees should be protected. Everywhere else, grow in a pot that comes inside for winter.