Jujube Plant Care

Jujube (Ziziphus lotus) belongs to the Rhamnaceae family within the Ziziphus genus. Jujube is native to the Mediterranean region, including the Sahara in Morocco and also Somalia. Jujube is also known as Lotus tree, Christ's thorn.

Jujube displays a small to medium-sized tree growth habit, reaching up to 25 ft tall with a spread of approximately 20 ft. Jujube produces small yellow-green flowers.

Leaf size: approximately 3 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Jujube every 7–14 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.

Jujube thrives in full sun.

Ziziphus lotus tolerates temperatures of 50–90°F. Jujube prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Well-draining sandy loam with good organic content. Good drainage is essential for Jujube to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Jujube 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.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with full sun and well-draining sandy loam with good organic content. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Jujube is suited to USDA Zone 8b – 11b.

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.

Jujube can spread to about 20 ft (6.1 m) and reach about 25 ft (8 m) tall. Space plants about 20 ft (6.1 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.

Prune Jujube 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.

Jujube is hardy down to USDA zone 8b, so once established it can stay outdoors through winter in that zone and warmer ones.

Water deeply in late autumn before the ground freezes, and spread a 5–8 cm (2–3 in) layer of mulch over the root zone, keeping it away from the trunk.

Young and container-grown trees need extra protection: roots in a pot freeze much more easily than roots in the ground.

Jujube can be propagated through seeds, hardwood cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to buddha's date plant care, which shares the same genus.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

Jujube is susceptible to aphids, scale insects, fruit flies. 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.

Jujube grows outdoors in USDA Zone 8b – 11b. It survives winters down to planting zone 8b. Jujube is native to the Mediterranean region, including the Sahara in Morocco and also Somalia.