Carried by 12 nurseries
View Availability at NurseryData provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria
View additional distribution information on the Jepson eflora
Jojoba (Simmondsia chinensis) is a rounded evergreen shrub with thick, waxy green leaves that is moderately fast growing and long-lived. Clusters of small yellow and cream flowers bloom in late spring. Female plants, with male plants nearby, produce acorn-shaped fruit from which the highly prized jojoba oil is derived. This shrub is found primarily in the Peninsular Range and Sonoran Desert regions, growing at elevations up to 4,900 feet.
Jojoba is an excellent choice for dry areas, particularly high desert gardens. It is highly tolerant of pruning and shearing, making it a versatile landscape plant. The fruit is edible, and its seeds are an important source of forage for wildlife. Additionally, it attracts butterflies and moths, supporting pollinators in the garden.
This hardy plant thrives in light, coarsely textured soils with good drainage. It tolerates high temperatures, salinity, and poor-nutrient soils, while requiring minimal care once established. Frost may damage or kill the plant, but in warm, dry climates, it is a resilient and valuable addition to native plant gardens.
Shrub
3 - 7 ft Tall
4 - 7 ft Wide
Rounded
Moderate
Evergreen
None
Yellow, Cream
Spring
Bank stabilization, Containers, Hedge
Full Sun
Very Low, Low
Never irrigate once established
Moderate
Tolerates cold to 17° F
Fast
Prefers sandy or decomposed granite soil.
Soil PH: 5.0 - 8.0
Very tolerant of pruning or shearing
For propagating by seed: No treatment.
7, 8*, 9*, 10, 11, 12*, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19*, 20*, 21*, 22*, 23*, 24*
This plant is largely found in the Sonoran Desert where is it extremely heat and drought tolerant. However, it is also found in a few coastal locations as a component of a very dry type of chaparral.
Chaparral, Creosote Bush Scrub, Joshua Tree Woodland
In desert settings, Creosote Bush (Larrea tridentata), Brittlebush (Encelia farinosa), Desert Agave (Agave deserti var. simplex), and Rush Milkweed. In chaparral settings, San Diego Viguiera, California Buckwheat (Eriogonum fasciculatum var. fasciculatum), Salvia spp., and Chaparral Yucca
Butterflies and moths supported
1 confirmed and 2 likely