How to Grow and Care for Baobabs

Baobab (Adansonia digitata) is indigenous to Africa, Australia, Madagascar, and the Arabian Peninsula. It thrives in areas that are dry and hot. It lives longer than virtually all other living things, and there are specimens alive today that are 3,000 years old or more. It has a large, water-filled trunk that is 28 m or more in circumference.

Suarez baobab is a rare, deciduous tree distinguished by its swollen, bottle-shaped trunk that stores water, flourishing in dry, deciduous forests. Its large, digitate leaves drop during the drought season to conserve moisture, while the striking, pendulous white flowers bloom at night, likely pollinated by nocturnal creatures. The tree's remarkable adaptation to its arid environment makes it an exceptional emblem of survival.

Australian baobab boasts a stout, bottle-shaped trunk and sprawling branches. This deciduous tree is adorned with large white flowers and bears fruit known as 'gourds' or 'boabs.' Typically found in arid, Australian landscapes, it has adapted to store copious amounts of water, aiding survival through prolonged droughts.

Red baobab is distinguished by its massive, bottle-shaped trunk and thick, fire-resistant bark. The stout branches support a canopy of broad, digitate leaves, while its large, waxy, white flowers bloom seasonally. Native to arid regions, red baobab exhibits remarkable water storage capabilities within its swollen trunk, aiding survival in harsh climates.

Grey baobab is a majestic baobab endemic to Madagascar, with a swollen trunk that stores water for drought resilience. The bark is smooth and gray, while the branches resemble a root system reaching skyward, a familiar silhouette at sunset. Its large, white flowers emerge at night, pollinated by nocturnal creatures, revealing the tree's adaptation to its arid environment.