Baobabs are great plants with fantastic characteristics – they have adapted perfectly to their environment. They provide food, housing and shelter for humans and animals alike in their countries of origin. Nevertheless they seem to have a hard time when it comes to reproduction: Their habitat is under pressure. Agricultural land is increasing and the giants are sacrificed for the sake of cotton or grain. Numbers of cattle, goats and chicken increase and eat the small shoots.
Initiatives like the Baobab Foundation of Dr Sarah Venter in South Africa try to stop that process and started to plant baobabs. Together with the women in villages in the Limpopo Province they grow baobabs from seeds. The women are “Baobab Guardians” and plant them in their homesteads. The women take care of the small trees during their first years. The guardians protect them from animals feeding on them and water them. Until the little trees can make it on their own. After about three years the baobabs are tall and strong enough to survive.
Baobabs are easy to grow from seeds – if one follows a few steps. The seeds have a hard shell. Therefore, it is important to get an opening in the shell. This can be done in various ways: by saw, file, or drill. Some people throw the seeds into boiling water briefly, others do so into an acid. The treated seeds are placed into warm water for 48 hours. They soak up the water and inside of the shell the seedling develops.
After two days in the water, the seed shells are softened and can be peeled off the seedling. Those are then placed on moistened kitchen towel in a container. It is closed with a lid and placed at a warm spot. After two more days, the seedlings are ready to be planted.
It is best for the trees, if they are planted outdoors which works only in frost-free areas. The Baobabs do not like temperatures below 12 ° C – especially when they are small. Big, old baobabs can survive colder days. Nevertheless, baobab friends in frost regions do not have to miss out on the giants. The trees are excellent as potted plants. Even those who love bonsai enjoy the trees.
However, one has to take into consideration that baobabs develop a large root system. Small baobabs form a taproot during the first three months of their lives. They gather nutrients to get ready for the dry seasons in the wild. Later on when the trees are larger, they form a pronounced flat root system. Baobabs in the pot, like their big relatives in the wild, are frugal contemporaries and do not need much care.
During the growing season in summer, they need water only as the soil in the pot gets dry. They do not like to stand in water with their roots. Therefore it is important that the soil in the pot is as dry before they are watered again. Baobabs appreciate fertilizer every now and then – but not too much. Every two years the soil in the pots should be changed.
The baobab tree, with its massive trunk and sprawling canopy, makes a dramatic statement in any garden. Native to Africa, this iconic “tree of life” can transform your outdoor space into a exotic oasis. But incorporating such a monumental tree takes careful planning Follow these tips to seamlessly integrate a baobab into your landscape design
Choose the Right Location
Baobabs need lots of room to grow. They can spread over 60 feet wide at maturity. Select a spacious, open area without overhead obstructions. Avoid planting too close to a house or other structures. The baobab’s roots are aggressive and can damage foundations and sidewalks.
Full sun is essential. Baobabs thrive in hot, arid climates. Ensure the location gets at least 6 hours of direct sun daily. Well-drained soil is also a must. Situate your baobab in sandy loam versus compacted clay. If drainage is poor, build a raised planting mound.
Complement the Baobab’s Grand Scale
When designing your garden, think big to match the baobab’s massive proportions. Include bold, architectural elements like:
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Large specimen shrubs or small trees around the base to create a sense of scale. Good options include olive, citrus, or crepe myrtle.
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Sweeping curves of colorful flowering plants like sage, lantana, or Texas ranger.
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Outsized planters and pots for additional plants and garden accents.
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Hardscaping features like wide paths, large flat stones, and high garden walls to reinforce the grand scale.
Avoid cluttering the space around the baobab. Let this iconic tree claim center stage in your landscape.
Make it a Focal Point
The baobab naturally draws the eye. Enhance this by framing prime viewing angles to your tree. Use strategic plantings, pathways, benches, and lighting to create captivating vistas.
For example:
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Direct a path toward the baobab to create a living tunnel effect.
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Open up sightlines from patios or window views.
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Illuminate your baobab at night with well-placed up-lights to create drama.
When designing your garden, put the baobab at the very center and arrange the other elements around it as supporting players.
Consider the Roots and Canopy
Baobab roots are voracious water seekers. Avoid planting flowers or vegetables that need regular watering near your tree, as the roots will hog all the moisture. Stick to drought-tolerant plants within the baobab’s expansive root zone.
Also consider the eventual width of the canopy. Avoid putting anything under the tree that you don’t want covered in shade later on. As the baobab matures, its dense crown will stretch up to 60 feet across.
Provide Adequate Irrigation
Baobabs need infrequent but deep watering to saturate their extensive root systems. Install an in-line drip irrigation system on a separate zone from other plantings. This allows you to water the baobab deeply without overwatering nearby plants.
Mulch heavily around the tree to retain soil moisture. Organic mulches like wood chips work best. Avoid plastic sheeting, which prevents water penetration.
Choose Hardy Companion Plants
When selecting companion plants, opt for tough species adapted to hot, arid conditions. Excellent choices include:
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Succulents like aloe, agave, yucca
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Cacti
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Heat-loving perennials like lantana, portulaca, gaillardia
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Small palms like Mediterranean fan palm
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Fruit trees like citrus, olive, or date palm
Avoid pairing the baobab with cold-sensitive plants or those with high water needs. Drought-resistant natives are your best bet.
Provide Ongoing Maintenance
While baobabs are low-maintenance trees, they still require pruning, pest management, and other care to look their best. Annually:
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Prune dead branches and remove suckers.
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Check for common pests like whiteflies, mealybugs, and mites.
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Weed and refresh mulch under the canopy.
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Deep water young trees weekly in dry periods. Mature baobabs only need supplemental water every 2-3 months.
With proper siting and care, the baobab will transform from a sapling to a statuesque giant, becoming a living work of art and the crowning jewel of your landscape.
Choose a Cold-Hardy Variety
While native baobab species relish tropical heat, they fare poorly in freezing weather. When shopping for a baobab, ask about cold tolerance. Some hardy varieties include:
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Adansonia digitata – Tolerates brief frosts down to 25°F.
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Adansonia kilima – Native to higher, cooler African mountain regions.
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Adansonia gregorii – The Australian baobab withstands light frosts.
Even hardy baobabs need protection when temperatures dip below freezing. In cold climates, grow them in pots you can move indoors during winter.
Give it Room to Grow
Baobabs are the stuff of legends, growing up to 100 feet tall at maturity with trunks 30 feet wide. Don’t cramp their style by planting too close to structures.
Here are suggested minimum spaces:
- Within 20 feet of a house or building
- Within 10 feet of a sidewalk or driveway
- Within 50 feet of utility lines
Proper spacing prevents future conflicts as your baobab claims its rightful place as the superstar of your garden.
With the right location, design, and care, the iconic baobab transforms from a unassuming seedling into a massive, breathtaking specimen. Let this majestic “tree of life” realize its full potential to create an exotic garden paradise you’ll enjoy for decades to come.
Video: “Baobabs – a little introduction”
A short video introduction with basic information about Baobabs. To watch click on the photo, please.
Video: “Baobabs – why they look the way they do…”
A short video with an attempt to explain why they look the way they do… To watch click on the photo, please.
How to Grow Baobab from Seed Quick and Easy
FAQ
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