Jocote (red mombin, ciruela) Spondias purpurea
Jocote (red mombin, ciruela) (Spondias purpurea) is a deciduous perennial fruit plant in the Anacardiaceae family, native to Mexico to north-western South America. It grows 4–10 m (13–33 ft) tall and 4–8 m (13–26 ft) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about 0 °C (32 °F). Space plants about 5 m (16 ft) apart.
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Jocote (red mombin, ciruela) at a glance
| Type | Perennial fruit plant, deciduous |
|---|---|
| Family | Anacardiaceae |
| Mature height | 4–10 m (13–33 ft) |
| Mature spread | 4–8 m (13–26 ft) |
| Spacing | 5 m (16 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 7 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance high, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 5.5–8 |
| Cold hardiness | About 0 °C (32 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 10) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 40 °C (104 °F) |
| Flowering | from about February for 4–7 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Yes: fruit, young leaves |
| Native to | Mexico to north-western South America |
| Common in gardens of | 🇲🇽 Mexico, 🇨🇴 Colombia, 🇧🇷 Brazil, 🇵🇪 Peru, 🇵🇭 Philippines, 🇺🇸 United States |
Is Jocote (red mombin, ciruela) toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Not poisonous; a cashew-family tree, but its sap is not known for the rash of mango or poison ivy.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Jocote (red mombin, ciruela)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and low water.
Questions about Jocote (red mombin, ciruela)
- How far apart should I plant Jocote (red mombin, ciruela)?
- About 5 m (16 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 4–8 m (13–26 ft).
- Does Jocote (red mombin, ciruela) need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 7 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Jocote (red mombin, ciruela) need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is high and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Jocote (red mombin, ciruela)?
- It tolerates about 0 °C (32 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 10.
- When does Jocote (red mombin, ciruela) flower?
- From about February for 4–7 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Jocote (red mombin, ciruela) poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Not poisonous; a cashew-family tree, but its sap is not known for the rash of mango or poison ivy.
- What grows well with Jocote (red mombin, ciruela)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Jocote (red mombin, ciruela). Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (low).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- Fruits of Warm Climates (Morton, 1987), Purdue University NewCROP
- UF/IFAS Extension tropical and subtropical fruit and landscape publications, University of Florida
- GRIN-Global Taxonomy, USDA ARS
Notes and assumptions
- Leafless in the dry season, when small red flowers and then red or yellow plum-like fruit crowd the bare branches. Planted as living fence posts from big cuttings.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Mango (dwarf) Mangifera indica
- Peruvian pepper tree Schinus molle
- Smoke tree Cotinus coggygria
- Mastic tree (lentisk) Pistacia lentiscus
- Pistachio Pistacia vera
- Sicilian sumac (spice sumac) Rhus coriaria
- Cashew Anacardium occidentale
- Ambarella (June plum) Spondias dulcis