Grandidier's Baobab Plant Care
Adansonia grandidieri Baill.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Adansonia grandidieri is the biggest and most famous of Madagascar's six species of baobabs. It is sometimes known as Grandidier's baobab or the giant baobab.
Every 14–21 days
Full sun
65–85°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Grandidier's Baobab?
Plant Grandidier's Baobab in full sun (USDA zones 13b) and water a young tree every 14–21 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 65–85°F (18–29°C). Fertilize it every 8 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Grandidier's Baobab Native To?
What Is the Grandidier's Baobab?
Grandidier's Baobab (Adansonia grandidieri) belongs to the Malvaceae family within the Adansonia genus. Grandidier's Baobab is native to the island of Madagascar. Grandidier's Baobab is also known as Baobab.
Grandidier's Baobab displays a massive, thick-trunked tree growth habit, reaching up to 60 ft tall with a spread of approximately 40 ft. Grandidier's Baobab produces large white nocturnal blooms.
Leaf size: approximately 12 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Grandidier's Baobab?
Water a young or newly planted Grandidier's Baobab every 14–21 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established trees mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.
Watering Frequency
Every 14–21 days
Until established; then in dry spells
What Light Does the Grandidier's Baobab Need?
Grandidier's Baobab thrives in full sun.
Light Requirement
Full sun
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Grandidier's Baobab Prefer?
Adansonia grandidieri tolerates temperatures of 65–85°F. Grandidier's Baobab prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
65–85°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Grandidier's Baobab?
Well-draining sandy soil with some organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Grandidier's Baobab to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Grandidier's Baobab?
Feed Grandidier's Baobab every 8 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established trees in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.
Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.
Fertilizing
Every 8 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
Where Should You Plant a Grandidier's Baobab?
Choose a spot with full sun and well-draining sandy soil with some organic matter. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.
Grandidier's Baobab is suited to USDA Zone 13b.
Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped trees in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.
How Far Apart Should You Plant a Grandidier's Baobab?
Grandidier's Baobab can spread to about 40 ft (12.2 m) and reach about 60 ft (18 m) tall. Space plants about 40 ft (12.2 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.
Planning a row or hedge? Try the tree spacing calculator.
How Do You Prune a Grandidier's Baobab?
Prune Grandidier's Baobab while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.
If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the tree in one year.
How Do You Care for a Grandidier's Baobab in Winter?
Grandidier's Baobab is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 13). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.
How Do You Propagate a Grandidier's Baobab?
Grandidier's Baobab can be propagated through seeds, grafting. Similar propagation techniques also apply to baobab plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Grandidier's Baobab Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Grandidier's Baobab, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Grandidier's Baobab?
Grandidier's Baobab is susceptible to mealybugs, scale insects. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Grandidier's Baobab Need?
Grandidier's Baobab grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13b. It survives winters down to planting zone 13b. Grandidier's Baobab is native to the island of Madagascar. In cooler regions, grow Grandidier's Baobab as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13b
Keep exploring plants
Grandidier's Baobab is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Adansonia genus — compare its care with other Adansonia species on PlantoScan.
Adansonia is part of the Malvaceae plant family — browse all Malvaceae genera and species.
Grandidier's Baobab thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Adansonia grandidieri Baill., family Malvaceae (first published in Hist. Phys. Madagascar : t. 79e, 79a (1888)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Grandidier's Baobab, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 13b, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
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