Jujube Ziziphus jujuba
Jujube (Ziziphus jujuba) is a deciduous perennial fruit plant in the Rhamnaceae family, native to Southern Asia (probably China). It grows 3–6 m (10–20 ft) tall and 2–4 m (6.6–13 ft) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about -23 °C (-9 °F). Space plants about 4 m (13 ft) apart.
Plan Jujube in your garden →
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Jujube at a glance
| Type | Perennial fruit plant, deciduous |
|---|---|
| Family | Rhamnaceae |
| Mature height | 3–6 m (10–20 ft) |
| Mature spread | 2–4 m (6.6–13 ft) |
| Spacing | 4 m (13 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 8 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance high, waterlogging tolerance low |
| Soil pH | 6–8 |
| Cold hardiness | About -23 °C (-9 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 6) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 42 °C (108 °F) |
| Flowering | from about June for 6–10 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Yes: fruit |
| Native to | Southern Asia (probably China) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇨🇳 China, 🇰🇷 South Korea |
Is Jujube toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Not listed as toxic in standard references; the thorny stems can injure.
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 Jujube
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and low water.
Questions about Jujube
- How far apart should I plant Jujube?
- About 4 m (13 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 2–4 m (6.6–13 ft).
- Does Jujube need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 8 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Jujube need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is high and waterlogging tolerance low.
- How cold-hardy is Jujube?
- It tolerates about -23 °C (-9 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 6.
- When does Jujube flower?
- From about June for 6–10 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Jujube 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 listed as toxic in standard references; the thorny stems can injure.
- What grows well with Jujube?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Jujube. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (low).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade C (C: plausible, mixed evidence).
- Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder, Missouri Botanical Garden
- University extension gardening guides (general), Various land-grant university extensions
- GRIN-Global Taxonomy, USDA ARS
- EcoCrop crop environmental requirements, FAO
- Fruit & Nut Research and Information Center: chilling requirements by species and cultivar, University of California, Davis
Notes and assumptions
- Leafs out very late in spring; needs long hot summers to sweeten; self-fertile but crops better with a second cultivar; chill roughly 200-400 hours (estimate).
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
- Blue blossom (California lilac) Ceanothus thyrsiflorus
- Christ’s thorn jujube (sidr) Ziziphus spina-christi
- Indian jujube (ber, phutsa) Ziziphus mauritiana
- Japanese raisin tree (kenponashi) Hovenia dulcis
- New Jersey tea Ceanothus americanus
- Italian buckthorn (alaternus) Rhamnus alaternus
- Strawberry Fragaria x ananassa
- Blueberry Vaccinium corymbosum