Native & adapted

Jujube

Ziziphus jujuba

Tough, low-water fruit tree for both hot and frost-prone desert sites; select named cultivars for fruit quality.

EdibleFruitingHeat tolerantCold hardy

Landscape layersLower canopy

Mature size

15–25 ft tall × 15–25 ft wide; cultivar and pruning affect form

Climate fit

Urban core · USDA 9b–10a · Valley suburbs · USDA 9a–9b · Desert outskirts · USDA 8b–9b · High desert · USDA 6a–8b

Special categories

EDIBLE

Before you plant

These conditions determine whether it will thrive.

Cold hardiness

Hardy here

Dormant jujubes take winters down to about -28°F, so no cover is ever needed in Phoenix. It leafs out and blooms late, well after our last frost.

Leaves and wood: damaged below -28°F

Heat tolerance

Takes full sun and heat

One of the toughest fruit trees for full west sun and 115°F days. The main summer risk is fruit splitting after a heavy monsoon rain, so keep watering even.

Sources:

extension.arizona.edu , agrilifetoday.tamu.edu

Right plant, right place

Will Jujube grow at your Arizona property?

Use the whole site—not only the hardiness zone. Confirm mature width, reflected heat, seasonal shade, drainage, irrigation reach, and cold-air pockets before planting.

Best regional fit: Urban core · USDA 9b–10a, Valley suburbs · USDA 9a–9b, Desert outskirts · USDA 8b–9b, High desert · USDA 6a–8b.

Choose the actual plant, not only the label

Cultivars & selections

Cultivars differ in fruit size, texture, drying quality, and bearing habit. Two cultivars with overlapping bloom generally improve fruit set even where one is technically self-fruitful.

Li

Ziziphus jujuba ‘Li’

Mature size15–25 ft tall × 15–25 ft wide

Best forLarge fruit eaten fresh or dried

One of the largest common jujubes, round to oval with crisp flesh when fresh and date-like texture when fully brown.

Lang

Ziziphus jujuba ‘Lang’

Mature size15–25 ft tall × 15–20 ft wide

Best forDrying and upright orchard form

Pear-shaped fruit traditionally used dried. Usually performs best with a second cultivar nearby.

Honey Jar

Ziziphus jujuba ‘Honey Jar’

Mature size10–15 ft tall × 10–15 ft wide

Best forSmall spaces and very crisp fresh fruit

Small, exceptionally sweet fruit and a more compact tree make this one of the best backyard selections.

Sugar Cane

Ziziphus jujuba ‘Sugar Cane’

Mature size15–20 ft tall × 12–18 ft wide

Best forCrunchy, very sweet fresh fruit

Smaller fruit than Li but outstanding texture and sweetness; often productive in heat.

Planting & stewardship

How to help Jujube thrive

1
Confirm the plant’s mature spread and underground conflicts before digging.
2
Place the root flare at finished grade and keep mulch away from the trunk.
3
Establish a wide, deep root zone instead of irrigating only at the trunk.
4
Observe seasonal growth, heat stress, and wildlife use before making major pruning changes.