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Jujube

Ziziphus jujubafam. Rosaceae
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medicinaledibleperennialtreesedibleedible fruitmedicinalnative asiaperennialtree
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Ziziphus jujuba (Jujube) — botanical photograph
Pl. C1B3 — Ziziphus jujuba
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I

Overview

Jujube (Ziziphus jujuba), a member of the Rosaceae family, is native to China's North-Central and Southeast regions, Inner Mongolia, Korea, Manchuria, and Xinjiang. This deciduous tree can grow up to 10 meters in height with a spread of about 3 meters, making it an attractive ornamental addition to gardens. Known for its edible fruits, which are commonly consumed fresh or used in various culinary preparations, jujube also has a long history of medicinal use, particularly in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). The seeds are recognized for their calming properties and are often included in formulas aimed at improving sleep quality and reducing stress and anxiety. Jujube thrives in well-drained soil with a pH between 7 and 7.5, making it adaptable to various growing conditions while requiring light to medium moisture levels.

Quick answers

What is Jujube?

Jujube (Ziziphus jujuba), a member of the Rosaceae family, is native to China's North-Central and Southeast regions, Inner Mongolia, Korea, Manchuria, and Xinjiang. This deciduous tree can grow up to 10 meters in height with a spread of about 3 meters, making it an attractive ornamental addition to gardens.

What is Jujube used for?

Traditionally used for better sleep, stress & anxiety. Each claim is evidence-rated — see Section II for full citations.

Compare with:Crataegus atrosanguinea→all comparisons →
Best for
Top 2 evidence-ranked uses of Jujube
Jump to full evidence →
Clinicaluses · safety · chemistry · dosagemedicinal profile
II

Benefits & evidence

2 claims · traditional-use context
Traditional-use context
These notes are presented as ethnobotanical context. No cited clinical references are catalogued for this plant yet.
  • Traditional use: jujube seed in TCM for sleep with anxiety. Common 6-week protocols.

    Saponins + flavonoids

    ▲ LimitedBetter sleep →
  • Traditional use: jujube seed in TCM 'shen' calming formulas. 6-week protocols common.

    Saponins + flavonoids

IV·b

Mixology suggestions

2 drafts
Editorial drafts. These pairings are AI-suggested from traditional herbal lore. Always verify with a qualified herbalist before brewing.
Evening Calm
sleep
tea
Traditional bedtime infusion.
Stress Relief
stress
tincture
Traditional calming formula.
Growingconditions · propagation · uses
V

Cultivation

Jujube thrives in light to partial sunlight and prefers well-draining soils with a pH between 7 and 7.5. It can tolerate dry conditions but also performs well in moist soil types such as sandy, medium, or clay. This perennial tree grows up to 10 meters tall and spreads about 3 meters wide. Hardy in temperate regions from zones 5-10, jujube is best propagated through seeds or cuttings. Regular watering during dry periods will ensure optimal fruit production.
Light
8/10
Water
Dry, Moist
Soil
Light (sandy), Medium, Heavy (clay)
Hardiness
5-10
Life cycle
Perennial
Habit
Tree
Mature size
10.0 m × 3 m
Soil pH
7–7.5
For first-time growers

How to grow Jujube for the first time

7steps

Start with a simple jujube tree to experience growing this versatile plant.

  1. 1

    What you'll need

    A young jujube sapling, well-draining soil, and a container or garden space.

  2. 2

    Best time to plant

    Plant in early spring when the ground is workable but not too wet.

  3. 3

    Soil and container prep

    Ensure your soil has a pH between 7-7.5, which can be tested with a home kit or sent to a lab.

  4. 4

    Sowing or transplanting

    Transplant the sapling carefully, ensuring the root ball is intact and placed at the same depth as in its pot.

  5. 5

    First two weeks

    Water regularly but avoid overwatering. Keep the soil moist but not soggy.

  6. 6

    Ongoing care

    Provide full sun, regular watering, and occasional pruning to maintain shape and health.

  7. 7

    Harvest or pruning

    Prune in late winter before new growth starts to encourage a healthy structure. Harvest fruits when they turn golden brown.

VI

Edible & utility

Edible parts:fruits
Edible uses: Coffee
Other uses:Fire starterHedgerowLumberEspalier
Contextrange · companions · related
VII

Distribution

6 native · 49 introduced
Distribution across4 continents· 6 native· 49 introduced
Europe7 regions
introduced (7)BulgariaCyprusFranceGreeceItalyRomaniaSpain
Asia16 regions
native (2)ChinaSouth Korea
introduced (14)AfghanistanChinaGeorgiaIndiaIranIraqJapanKazakhstanLaosMaldivesPakistanTurkeyTurkmenistanUzbekistan
Americas5 regions
introduced (5)CubaDominican RepublicHondurasJamaicaVenezuela
Africa6 regions
introduced (6)AlgeriaBurkina FasoCameroonLibyaMoroccoTunisia
Broader regions
introduced:Alabama, Arizona, California, Florida, Kirgizstan, Kriti, Lebanon-Syria, Louisiana, Tadzhikistan, Texas, Turkey-in-Europe, Utah, Venezuelan Antilles, West Himalaya, Yugoslavia
IX

Specimen gallery

1 image
Ziziphus jujuba (Jujube) — botanical photograph
Jujube (Ziziphus jujuba)
X

See also

8 related

Plants you might compare or use together — scored by shared family (Rosaceae), common use cases, and growing requirements.

same family · Rosaceae
Botanical relatives — often share phytochemistry + growing needs.
XI

Explore further

Companion planting
Growing zone
XII

About this entry

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