Simmondsia spp.

jojoba

Simmondsiaceae

Sonoran, Mojave, and Colorado deserts of southwestern North America

Drought Tolerant

Native to North America

SunFull Sun

WaterVery Low · drought-tolerant

HardinessZones 9–11

Overview

Simmondsia spp. is a genus in its own family containing a single species, jojoba (Simmondsia chinensis), an evergreen shrub of the deserts of southwestern North America. Plants are dense and rounded, 3-10 feet (0.9-3 m) tall and wide, occasionally reaching 15 feet (4.5 m) on old specimens. Leaves are opposite, oval to oblong, 1-1.6 inches (2.5-4 cm) long, leathery, gray-green, and held upright to limit water loss. Plants are dioecious, with male and female flowers on separate shrubs; small yellow-green flowers without petals open in late winter to spring, the males in clusters and the females singly. Female plants bear acorn-like capsules holding one to three brown seeds rich in liquid wax. The deep root system, sometimes extending 30 feet (9 m), supports survival in arid ground. Growth is slow, and plants are long-lived, often exceeding 100 years. Because plants are dioecious, both sexes are needed for seed. Jojoba tolerates intense heat and drought but is damaged by hard frost.

Native Range

Jojoba is native to the Sonoran, Mojave, and Colorado deserts of southwestern Arizona, southern California, and northwestern Mexico, including Baja California. It grows on coarse, well-drained desert soils, rocky slopes, and washes from near sea level to about 5,000 feet (1,500 m).

Suggested Uses

Grown in desert and xeriscape gardens, as an informal hedge or screen, and for erosion control on dry slopes, spaced 4-8 feet (1.2-2.4 m) apart. It is cultivated commercially in arid regions for the wax extracted from its seeds. Frost sensitivity limits its use to mild, dry climates.

How to Identify

Recognized by a dense, rounded form with opposite, leathery, gray-green oval leaves 1-1.6 inches (2.5-4 cm) long held upright on the stems. Plants are dioecious, with small petalless yellow-green flowers, and female plants bear acorn-like capsules containing one to three large brown seeds. The upright leathery leaves and acorn-like seed capsules separate it from other desert shrubs.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height3' - 10'

Width/Spread3' - 10'

Reaches mature size in approximately 5 years

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~6 weeks

Winter Spring

Small yellow-green flowers open from late winter into spring, mainly December through April depending on rainfall and location. Male and female flowers occur on separate plants and last several weeks. Seed capsules ripen on female plants through summer.

Detailed Descriptions

Foliage Description

gray-green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun

Requires 8-12 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 8.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

sand rocky loam

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Very Low

Frost Tolerance

tender

Time to Maturity

slow; 3-5 years to bear seed

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Jojoba grows in full sun on coarse, sharply drained soils and withstands extreme heat, drought, and wind once established. It is hardy in USDA zones 9-11 and tolerates brief cold to about 22°F (-6°C), with hard frost damaging foliage and stems. Overwatering and poorly drained soils cause root rot. Plants are raised from seed and grow slowly, taking several years to bear. Both a male and a female plant are needed for seed production. Few pests affect it in dry climates.

Pruning

Pruning is done after flowering to shape plants or maintain a hedge, and jojoba tolerates regular clipping. Removing lower branches creates a small multi-stemmed tree form. Established plants tolerate hard renewal pruning.