Jujube / Chinese Date (Ziziphus jujuba)
 
Jujube, also known as Chinese Date, is a hardy, fruiting tree cultivated for thousands of years for its sweet, nutritious fruit and remarkable resilience. This drought-tolerant species produces small, date-like fruits that ripen from green to reddish-brown and develop a rich, apple-like sweetness when fresh, and a chewy, date-like texture when dried.
 
Long valued across Asia and the Middle East, Jujube trees are prized for their ability to thrive in harsh conditions, producing reliable harvests even in poor soils and dry climates. The fruit can be eaten fresh, dried, or used in traditional teas and culinary preparations.
Jujube is an excellent addition to food forests, homestead orchards, and drought-tolerant landscapes.
 
Plant Information
Botanical Name: Ziziphus jujuba
Type: Deciduous fruiting tree
Height: 15–30 feet
Sun: Full sun required
Soil: Adaptable; thrives in well-drained soils, including sandy or poor soils
Water: Very drought tolerant once established
USDA Zones: 6–10

Stratification & Preparation
Jujube seeds have a hard outer shell and benefit from scarification and stratification to improve germination.
Recommended Method:
Carefully crack the hard outer pit to remove the inner seed (optional but improves germination rate).
Soak seeds in warm water for 24 hours.
Cold stratify in moist medium at 34–40°F for 60–90 days.
Sow ½ inch deep in warm soil after stratification.
Fall sowing outdoors is also effective, allowing natural winter conditioning.
 
Growing Notes
Extremely hardy and adaptable
Heat and drought tolerant
Long-lived fruiting tree
Excellent for permaculture and low-water landscapes
Jujube is a time-honored fruit tree, valued for its resilience, productivity, and rich cultural history.
 
This is for 10 seeds.
 
We combine shipping on all seed orders, you pay one flat fee for as many seeds as you would like for no additional shipping. Orders over $35 for any combination of items ship for free to the US