PlantFiles: Baobab, Judas Fruit, Monkey Bread Tree
Adansonia digitata

I grew two species,digitata and another unidentified ,for years in a greenhouse.Very prone to aphids.But one was close to thirty years old and spent most of its life in a San Francisco living room cherished as a vacation memory of a trip made to Africa in the early 70's. And it was ceiling tall. It's now part of a San Francisco college collection.

There is one specimen growing in Balboa Park, San Diego. It is about four feet tall and the trunk is about 12 inches across at the base.
The gardeners have created a series of microclimates to support the diverse plantings in this wonderful place. The density of the growth keeps the area warmer in the winter and the irrigation techniques keep the place more humid than the natural environment.
This tree is growing in a more open area with a southwestern exposure for warmth and gravelly soil for rapid drainage. the surrounding plantings are aloe, madagascar palm, acacia, various cactus and banksia. While it is alive and growing it is not thriving.
UPDATE:
The adansonia digitata in Balboa Park is no longer there. My assumption is that it died and was removed.
It was being grown xeriscape. The problem with that tactic for this plant is that when the natural water is available the plant is dormant and cannot use it. When the temperature is up high enough for this plant to grow thee is no water available. I think it is possible to grow this plant outdoors in San Diego if the plant is kept dry in the winter and watered during the summer and fall.

I have had a seedling for years. I remember buying that seed and watching it grow. Even young, it has a little fat caudex. I notice that I cannot manipulate it to think it is rainy season and grow, (It breaks dormancy when it wants to in the spring) but it will go dormant obediently if I withhold water. Perhaps it is photoperiod sensitive, even indoors.

My important suggestion to anyone starting it from seed: Use a deep pot or in-ground, as the taproot will coil in a small pot and the fat base will form sideways.

If ever I move to a frost-free place, I will plant it in-ground.

This is am impressive African tree with a massive, succulent base rapidly tapering to little branches above. It is deciduous during the dry season and makes incredible silhouettes on the landscape. However, it takes centuries to attain those sizes. For me, this tree was just bit too tropical in its needs, and it rotted in the winter rains.