simmondsia
( sim - ONZ - zee - uh )
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At-A-Glance InformationThey are great for water-wise gardens, and are commonly referred to as Jojoba, Gray Box Bush, Wild Hazel or Goatnut. Species are native to desert areas in Southern California, Arizona, and Mexico and are used as informal shrubs, clipped hedges, foundation covers and background foliage plants. They reach 3-6 feet tall and about as wide with dull grey-green leaves and inconspicuous flowers. Female plants will produce edible, nutlike fruits if a male is nearby. This species of evergreen shrubs is best in USDA hardiness zones 8-11 or Sunset growing zones 7-24 (to find your zone, click here: Zone Map) and need full sun and little water to perform well. The genus contains just one species, Simmondsia chinensis, and is a member of the plant family Simmondsiaceae.
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Caring for simmondsia
Jojoba shrubs should be planted in full sun (6-8 hours of direct sun per day minimum). Ensure that soil is well-draining and that it has a slightly acidic to neutral pH. The ideal pH range for Jojoba plants is between 6.5 and 8.5 (though they can realistically tolerate between 5.0 and 8.2). If local soils are particularly poor in nutrients or do not drain well, make sure to amend the planting area with plenty of organic compost before installing. Apply a layer of mulch around the planting area to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention. Water new plantings regularly as they establish a strong root system in their new home. Water deeply but infrequently when these trees are mature; they are drought tolerant for the most part.
Fertilize yearly in early springtime with an application of 2 inches of compost around the base of plants. Pull mulch back before applying, work the compost gently into the soil a bit, water it in, and then replace mulch. These trees and shrubs are adapted so nutrient-poor soils and do not need extra nutrients in the soil. Pruning is not necessary; simply remove dead or diseased branches in late winter or early springtime. When young, these shrubs don't do well in cold temperatures, but mature plants are hardy down to around 15 degrees Fahrenheit. Protect young trees with burlap or frost cloth in freezing weather. Simmondsia shrubs can be expected to survive in the landscape for hundreds of years before needing to be replaced.
Harvesting Simmondsia
Simmondsia are dioecious, and if a male and female shrub are in close proximity, the female will produce seeds that are mature in late summer to early fall beginning between 5 and 10 years of age. When fruits are mature, the outer hull will begin to dry, crack, or fall off. Seeds do not all mature at the same time, so these shrubs require several rounds of harvesting to gather a full crop for the year. Each shrub has the potential to produce between 2 and 6 pounds of Jojoba nuts per year under favorable conditions. These nuts have a high oil content (approximately 50% oil by weight), and are unique because the 'oil' they produce is technically a pure liquid wax rather than a traditional triglyceride oil. It takes about 3.6 pounds of seeds to yield a single quart of Jojoba oil, which requires an oil expeller press or heavy-duty cold press to extract. One cannot practically extract pure Jojoba Oil from scratch in the home because it requires industrial equipment.
Disclaimer: Information contained on this website is strictly and categorically intended as a reference to be used in conjunction with experts in your area. Foraging and consumption of plant parts should never begin without the guidance and approval of a local plant specialist. The providers of this website accept no liability for the use or misuse of information contained in this website.
Fertilize yearly in early springtime with an application of 2 inches of compost around the base of plants. Pull mulch back before applying, work the compost gently into the soil a bit, water it in, and then replace mulch. These trees and shrubs are adapted so nutrient-poor soils and do not need extra nutrients in the soil. Pruning is not necessary; simply remove dead or diseased branches in late winter or early springtime. When young, these shrubs don't do well in cold temperatures, but mature plants are hardy down to around 15 degrees Fahrenheit. Protect young trees with burlap or frost cloth in freezing weather. Simmondsia shrubs can be expected to survive in the landscape for hundreds of years before needing to be replaced.
Harvesting Simmondsia
Simmondsia are dioecious, and if a male and female shrub are in close proximity, the female will produce seeds that are mature in late summer to early fall beginning between 5 and 10 years of age. When fruits are mature, the outer hull will begin to dry, crack, or fall off. Seeds do not all mature at the same time, so these shrubs require several rounds of harvesting to gather a full crop for the year. Each shrub has the potential to produce between 2 and 6 pounds of Jojoba nuts per year under favorable conditions. These nuts have a high oil content (approximately 50% oil by weight), and are unique because the 'oil' they produce is technically a pure liquid wax rather than a traditional triglyceride oil. It takes about 3.6 pounds of seeds to yield a single quart of Jojoba oil, which requires an oil expeller press or heavy-duty cold press to extract. One cannot practically extract pure Jojoba Oil from scratch in the home because it requires industrial equipment.
Disclaimer: Information contained on this website is strictly and categorically intended as a reference to be used in conjunction with experts in your area. Foraging and consumption of plant parts should never begin without the guidance and approval of a local plant specialist. The providers of this website accept no liability for the use or misuse of information contained in this website.
Propagation
Simmondsia chinensis can be propagated either by using cuttings or from seed. To ensure that your propagated plant will have the exact same qualities and characteristics as the parent plant, use the cutting method. If you would like to experiment and see what plant you can grow from seed, just keep in mind that it will not necessarily be the same as the parent plant. To propagate your shrub, follow the instructions below:
Propagating Simmondsia by Cutting
Propagating Simmondsia by Seed
Propagating Simmondsia by Cutting
- Gather your materials. You'll need a clean, sanitized, sharp pair of garden shears, rooting hormone, a pencil, and a 3-inch pot filled with well-draining compost or other organic material. A good substrate for propagation of cuttings is a light blend of 1/3 pasteurized soil or compost, 1/3 sand, vermiculite or perlite, and 1/3 coconut coir or peat moss.
- In spring or early summertime, choose the plant that you'd like to propagate. Ensure that this plant has had a good watering the night before, as this will improve the chances your cutting will take root. Cut one or more 6 inch portion(s) of the end of a non-blooming branch and strip the leaves off of the lower half. Make a hole in your planting medium by pushing your pencil into the soil. Dip the end of the stem in rooting hormone, and plant it in your pot. Fill in soil around the cutting to support it, but do not pack it down too much.
- Moisten with water, and ensure that the pot has good drainage. Your pot should be kept in warm, sunny conditions indoors (and not in direct sunlight). Water whenever your soil is dry under the top layer. After about four to six weeks have passed, your cutting should be rooted. When you notice new growth, you'll know you have roots.
- Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring, when you can transplant it to its new home. Ensure that the last frost of the year has occurred before doing this, as it can seriously damage your new shrub.
Propagating Simmondsia by Seed
- Keep in mind that the plant you get from seed will not necessarily mimic all of the characteristics of the parent plant. To propagate by seed, you will need a paper bag, a pot or tray filled with well-draining compost or other organic material, a spray bottle and a fork. The best potting medium for seed germination is a light blend of 1/3 pasteurized soil or compost, 1/3 sand, vermiculite or perlite, and 1/3 coconut coir or peat moss.
- Water your prepared seed tray or pot filled with soil, and ensure that good drainage is occurring. Place your seeds in your prepared pot or seed tray about a quarter inch to a half-inch under the soil surface. Cover them with soil and water with your spray bottle. Place your tray of seeds in a warm area that receives bright, indirect light. A greenhouse is the most ideal climate, but a planting tray inside a window will do as well. Germination usually takes 20-30 days from sowing. Once you begin to see seedlings sprout and they are able to be handled, transplant them to their own individual 3-inch pots, filled with the same potting medium as described in Step 1. Loosen the seedlings from the potting medium by digging down with the tines of your fork about an inch and a half, gently working the seedling up until it is out. Then, replant the seedling in its individual pot.
- Keep the seedling's potting medium moist, but not wet, by spraying the soil with your spray bottle. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring (after the danger of frost has passed), when you can transplant it to its new home.
Jojoba fruits (above in their immature form) typically contain just one large seed.
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Jojoba seeds are acorn-shaped and mature to brown to black. They have a tough leathery seed coat.
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Problems and Pests
These shrubs and trees are generally resistant to pests and diseases, though they can have issues with the following:
- Verticillum Wilt
- Texas Root Rot
Gallery
These shrubs are native to California.
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Jojoba oil is used on skin and hair for a variety of purposes.
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Jojoba shrubs provide year-round food for wildlife.
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Videos
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Learn about these versatile, drought tolerant shrubs.
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Resources
The New Sunset Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (2012) - Page 604, Simmondsia chinensis (Jojoba, Goatnut)
