Jojoba is a woody evergreen shrub or small tree native to the Sonoran Desert of southern California and Arizona. It has leathery blue-green leaves and produces small green flowers in spring that develop into acorn-like capsules containing 1-3 seeds. Jojoba is very drought tolerant once established and can be used as a water-wise landscape shrub, hedge, or screen plant. It attracts hummingbirds and butterflies to its flowers and provides cover and food for birds and small animals. Jojoba requires full sun, well-drained soil, and occasional summer water once established.

1. * Jojoba – Simmondsia chinensis
(sy-MOND-sia chy-NEN-sis)
Family: Simmondsiaceae (Jojoba Family); formerly in Buxaceae (Box Family)
Sonoran Desert from west Riverside and San Diego counties to AZ, Baja CA., w
Peninsular Ranges, San Jacinto Mountains; common on dry slopes along washes, sandy to rocky
flats, bajadas, and playas in creosote bush scrub, joshua tree woodland, occasional in chaparral.
Native to:
woody shrub/small tree mature height: 6-12 ft. mature width: 6-10 ft.
Woody evergreen (with some summer water) many-branched shrub. Leaves are leathery, dull bluegreen, held erect on branches. Shape is rounded in youth, spreading with age. Moderate growth
rate; long-lived (to several hundred years). Lower branches loose leaves to shade. Long taproots.
Growth characteristics:
Blooms in spring (Mar-May). Species is dioecious (separate male & female plants).
Many small green flowers in clusters on previous year’s growth. Fruits formed only if both male &
female plants are planted. Fruits (female plants) are small acorn-like capsules with 1-3 seeds.
Fruits ripen spring/summer then fall in dry season.
Blooms/fruits:
Uses in the garden: Most often used as a water-wise specimen shrub/tree. Makes a great hedge,
screen or large foundation plant. Great for dry street medians, other places that get little care. Is
grown as an agricultural crop for the seed oils. ‘Vista’ is a smaller cultivar (4 ft x 4 ft). Nuts can be
roasted and ground to make ‘Cahuilla Coffee’. Plant is also used medicinally – many uses.
Sensible substitute for: Non-native shrubs like Cotoneaster.
Excellent bird/small animal habitat: provides cover and seeds for food. Hummingbirds,
bees, butterflies and other insects collect nectar from the flowers. Deer eat foliage.
Attracts:
Requirements:
Element
Sun
Soil
Water
Fertilizer
Other
Requirement
Full sun to part-shade; fine with high temperatures.
Well-drained sandy or rocky soils are best; pH 6-8.
Best with Zone 2 (occasional deep summer water); but very drought tolerant. Use
a rock mulch.
none
Easy to grow; needs little management. Can be pruned to shape/hedge in
summer/fall after seeds fall. Hedging will decrease seed production.
Management:
Propagation: from seed: clean seeds; soak dried seeds; easy by cuttings: softwood; microprop.
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 5, 8, 11, 13, 14, 16, 20, 21, 26, 28
1/29/11
* CA native plant but not native to Western L.A. county
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