Chinese Jujube, Chinese Date

Frost Tolerance: Hardy to -20° F (-28° C)

Heat Tolerance: Excellent

Sun Exposure: Full sun, will tolerate reflected heat in the low deserts

Origin: India, China, to eastern Europe, cultivated in China for over 4000 years.

Growth Habits: Small deciduous tree or shrub, 15 to 25 feet (4.5-7.5 m) or more; leathery leaves, 0.8 to 2.8 inches long (2-7 cm)

Watering Needs: Moderate water, prefers sandy, well drained soild. Mature trees need a good soaking once a month to improve fruit quality

Propagation: Whip-grafts, named varieties don't come true from seeds or rootstock suckers.

Jujubes are interesting fruit trees. They are easy to grow in Phoenix, and the trees have an interesting shape. The fruit can be eaten fresh, or dried.

Varieties sometimes encountered

Blooming Habits:
White flowers, faintly fragrant, 0.12 to 0.2 inches in diameter (3-5 mm), in late spring and summers. Jujubes are self-fertile.

Fruiting Habits:
Cherry-size to plum-size fruit, containing a single stone with 2 seeds. The texture and flavor are similar to an apple. The seedling fruits can be quite small.

Culture:
Mature trees can produce large quantities of root suckers. It is advantageous to plant the tree in an area where you can just mow them. Similarly, unpicked fruit falls on the ground where it can create a litter problem.
Jujubes are sensitive to Texas root rot.