Boab/ Australian Baobab (Adansonia gregorii) - Seeds

A true natural wonder and a spectacular survivor from the Australian Outback: The Adansonia gregorii, also known as the Boab, is the only baobab species native outside of Africa and Madagascar. With its characteristic, bottle-shaped thickened trunk (caudex), which serves as a massive water reservoir in nature, you can add an absolute exotic to your collection. A fascinating highlight that exudes puristic desert flair and is excellently suited for pot culture or as an imposing indoor bonsai.

Scope of delivery: 10 seeds each

The Australian Baobab grows very slowly, but develops the typical thickened trunk early on to survive dry periods. In its native habitat, it grows into a gigantic, ancient tree giant. When cultivated in a pot, however, it remains very manageable and grows extremely compactly. Through targeted pruning, it can be wonderfully shaped as a solitaire plant or an impressive bonsai.

During the dry season (which occurs in our winter), the Boab enters a strict dormancy period and sheds all its leaves. In spring, it then sprouts beautiful, light green, palmately pinnate leaves. Older specimens also produce very large, creamy-white flowers, which often open only in the late evening hours and emit an intense fragrance to attract moths in nature.

Versatile use and indigenous significance In its Australian homeland, the Boab has immense cultural and practical significance for the Aborigines. Almost every part of the tree is traditionally used: The white, powdery fruit pulp of the large capsules tastes slightly sour and is extremely rich in vitamin C. The young leaves and the fleshy taproots of the seedlings are also edible. During extreme droughts, the soft, spongy trunk often served as a life-saving water reservoir. The large, woody fruit capsules are also elaborately carved and prized as traditional artworks (the so-called "Boab Nuts"). In our latitudes, for you as a plant lover, the use as a fascinating, rare ornamental and caudex plant is naturally in the foreground.

As a savannah inhabitant, this plant loves absolute full sun and the greatest possible heat. A very bright, warm spot on a south-facing window or on the terrace in summer is a must. The substrate must be extremely well-draining and mineral, as the fleshy trunk will rot immediately if waterlogged. In summer, during strong growth, you can water regularly but thoroughly - however, the soil must almost completely dry out before the next watering.

The Boab is absolutely not frost-hardy and very sensitive to cold. As soon as temperatures permanently drop below 15 degrees Celsius in autumn, it must be moved to a warm winter quarter (bright 15 to 20 degrees Celsius is ideal). During this time, it sheds its leaves. The most important rule: During the entire leafless period in winter, the plant must not be watered at all! The caudex has stored enough water. Only when new green leaf tips appear in spring should you slowly and gradually start watering again.