Woestijn-desert Argania spinosa - Argan Tree

• Article number: ARSPI03

Argania spinosa is an evergreen tree that has its origin in North-Africa. This slow grower grows in the wild into a tree of up to 10 meters in height. To protect itself against, among other things, goats this tree grows a lot of spikes. The tree has a strong and wide array of roots and thus tolerates drought very well. The minimum temperature for the tree is -5. This however applies for grown trees that are strong and can handle some discomfort. Potted plants are better kept at least above freezing temperatures.

De fruit of the Argania spinosa is green/yellow on the tree and brown when it ripens. The seed of the fruit is full of oil that is used to produce the well-known argan oil. The argan oil is also known as Maroccan gold, a liter of oil kan be sold for up to a € 100. It is mostly used in the farmaceutical industry.

The trees have become rare in the last decades. In the wild it can only be found in Marocco and a small part of Algeria. There are tests set up to see if it is possible to grow these trees in Portugal.

Hardiness: -5°C