Simmondsia chinensis

Jojoba

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Common Name: 

Jojoba

Plant Type: 

Flower color: 

Foliage color: 

Silver

Sun (From 0 to 5): 

Water (From 0 to 5): 

Maximum temperature: 

40°C

Minimum temperature: 

10°C

Maximum height: 

245 cm

Maximum width: 

245 cm

Jojoba (Simmondsia chinensis) - Description

Jojoba i/həˈhoʊbə/; (Simmondsia chinensis) is a shrub which is native to the Sonoran and Mojave deserts of Arizona, California, and Mexico. It is the sole species of the family Simmondsiaceae, placed in the order Caryophyllales. It's also known as goat nut, deer nut, pignut, wild hazel, quinine nut, coffeeberry, and gray box bush. Jojoba is grown commercially for its oil, a liquid wax ester, extracted from the seed. The plant has also been used to combat and prevent desertification in the Thar Desert in India.

Jojoba (Simmondsia chinensis) - Growth

Grows equally tall and wide. Thrives in full sun.

Jojoba (Simmondsia chinensis) - Planting

In summer, sow the seeds in pots or in the ground. If you make rooted cuttings, provide plenty of bottom heat to promote sufficient root initiation.

Jojoba (Simmondsia chinensis) - Pest

Susceptible to Verticillium wilt or Texas root rot. Insect pests are rare.

Jojoba (Simmondsia chinensis) - Interesting facts

The specific epithet, Simmondsia chinensis, is a misnomer. The botanist that originally named the plant misread a label and mistook californica for chinensis. Jojobas are not native to China at all and would be better served with the species name "californica" since they are native to California. Jojobas are found in the wild in the Mojave Desert of California and the Sonoran Deserts of Arizona and Mexico. These plants are often times confused with Jujubes (Ziziphus ziziphus), which are grown for their fruits in the deserts of Southern California. These shrubs are ideal for hedges, erosion control and desert gardens.

Jojoba (Simmondsia chinensis) - Soil and irrigation

Requires little water. Soil does not need to have much fertility as these shrubs will thrive in poor, sandy soils.

Simmondsia chinensis - Jojoba - Photos