Ziziphus jujuba aka Chinese Date

Taxonomy

Genus Ziziphus Family Rhamnaceae Order Rosales Class Magnoliopsida Phylum Tracheophyta
Ziziphus jujuba, commonly known as jujube or Indian Jujube, is a species in the genus Ziziphus in the buckthorn family Rhamnaceae. It is a deciduous tree or shrub that can reach a height of 5-12 meters and has thorny branches. The leaves are shiny-green and ovate-acute with three conspicuous veins at the base. The flowers are small and have five inconspicuous yellowish-green petals. The fruit is an edible oval drupe that is raw or cooked and has a mealy and sweet taste. The dried fruit has the nicest taste and can be ground into a powder used in various preparations. The fruit can also be used as a coffee substitute. The Indian Jujube is a super rare houseplant that is not challenging to grow and needs regular watering and direct sunlight. It prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. The plant is self-fertile and suitable for light, medium, and heavy soils with a suitable pH range. It cannot grow in the shade and can tolerate drought. The species is hermaphrodite, and the seeds ripen in October. A nutritional analysis of the fruit is available. The Indian Jujube belongs to the Ziziphus genus and is native to Northern and Eastern China to Southern Korea.

Common names

Chinese Date, Chinese Jujube

How to care for Chinese Date

Difficulty

Chinese Date demands precise care and specific environmental conditions, making it suitable for experienced plant enthusiasts seeking a rewarding challenge.

Water

Chinese Date should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Soil

Chinese Date loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.

Lighting

Chinese Date requires abundant, bright, and direct light to thrive. The best placement for this plant is within one foot of a window to ensure it receives enough light. If you live in an area with more extreme weather, such as hot summers or cold winters, you may need to adjust the placement of the plant accordingly. During hot summer months, it is important to place the plant away from full sun, as this can cause the leaves to yellow or burn. During cold winter months, it is best to move the plant closer to the window to take advantage of the extra light that can help it survive. By keeping an eye on the current weather in your area, you can make sure your Chinese Jujube is always in the right place to thrive.

Toxicity

There is no verified data on the toxicity of this plant in the records of Ploi. If any person, including yourself, a family member, or a pet, consume plant material with an uncertain toxicity level, it is advisable to seek the advice of a healthcare expert.

Fertilizer

Repotting the Chinese Date should be done either when it has doubled in size or on a yearly basis, whichever occurs sooner. Fresh potting soil with all the required nutrients, refreshed annually, will provide the plant with all the necessary sustenance, making the use of fertilizer unnecessary. Keep in mind that plants receive their energy from the sun, not fertilizer.

Growth-pattern

New growth will sprout from the top of the Chinese Date as it grows vertically.

Region of origin

Chinese Date’s native range is E. Asia - China, India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia to Australia.

More info:
Wikipedia

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More Species in Ziziphus Genus

Ziziphus spina-christi Christ's Thorn

Ziziphus mucronata Buffalo Thorn

Ziziphus mauritiana Indian Jujube