SYNONYMS: Buxus chinensis
LATIN NAME: Simmondsia chinensis
COMMON NAMES: Jojoba, Goat‑nut, Deer‑nut, Pignut
Simmondsia chinensis is a hardy evergreen shrub native to arid desert and semi‑desert zones of south‑western North America. Thick leathery grey‑green leaves clothe rigid multi‑branching bushes well‑adapted to intense sunlight and low seasonal rainfall. Small unassuming yellow‑green flowers emerge in spring. Being dioecious, individual plants bear either male or female blooms; pollinated female specimens develop hard
seed capsules holding large oil‑rich brown seeds. This drought‑tolerant shrub excels for desert‑land restoration, dry‑garden plantings, and commercial specialty‑oil crop production. Seed‑raised stock builds robust field‑ready shrubs and preserves broad natural genetic variation within growing batches.
Growing jojoba from seed delivers distinct practical benefits. Seed‑originated shrubs produce deep‑reaching taproot systems that anchor securely in sandy desert soils. Seed sowing offers an accessible way to establish large plantation blocks when cutting‑propagated stock is limited. Natural variation within seed lots brings gentle differences in bush compactness and seed‑oil content among young plant groups.
Seed capsules ripen through late summer and early autumn. Collect capsules as they begin to split open. Extract large firm seeds and separate away dry capsule husks and plant chaff. Warm‑water soaking for 12‑24 hours supports smooth moisture uptake by seed tissues. Cold stratification is unnecessary for this warm‑arid‑climate species. Fresh, properly dried seed maintains strong vitality over multi‑year storage cycles.
Sow prepared seeds into grit‑heavy, sharply draining sandy‑loam substrate. Bury seeds at moderate depth matching roughly one‑and‑a‑half times seed thickness. Bright full sunlight supports steady seed‑activation performance. Maintain light consistent substrate moisture and strictly avoid water‑logged conditions. Under stable warm soil temperatures, vigorous seedlings push upward with encouraging energy.
Young jojoba seedlings unfold thick leathery foliage and steadily strengthen woody stems. Careful thinning eliminates crowding and reserves ample underground room for taproot expansion. Seedlings transplant smoothly into deep containers once several leaf pairs develop. Settled in open, sun‑drenched locations with excellent drainage, these seed‑raised shrubs grow slowly into well‑formed bushy specimens. Mature bushes produce abundant seed capsules loaded with valued jojoba wax, bring durable evergreen structure to arid‑zone landscapes, and deliver valuable raw material for cosmetic and industrial processing projects.
The Jojoba shrub is native to Southwestern North America. It is the source of Jojoba Oil, & It is grown commercially for this. The plants produce 1/2 – 3/4″ oval, acorn-like fruit (also called a nut or the seed) that contain almost 50% oil. The oil is odorless so is often used in cosmetics, skin products, & pharmaceuticals. The oil has lots of other uses, including as a cooking oil, biodiesel fuel, & engine lubricant. This plant also has many traditional medicinal uses.
Jojoba shrubs have long waxy evergreen grayish-silver leaves. They grow best in arid desert & semi-desert areas. The plants tolerate browsing, and deer, bighorn sheep, & livestock may enjoy nibbling on the foliage. The nuts are eaten by squirrels, rabbits, & large birds. The plants are dioecious, so both a male & female plant are needed to pollinate the fruit. The seeds of the Jojoba are harvested when they fall off the bush.
Simmondsia chinensis, known as Jojoba, is a plant that is grown for the oil in its seeds. It is native to the southern states of the US and Mexico.
It grows as a shrub from 2-3 metres tall.
The leaves are leathery, blue-green, to 5-7cm long.
Yellow flowers are followed by 2.5cm long berries.
Jojoba oil is a well known anti-inflammatory, moisturiser and restorer and is extracted from the nuts of this shrub. It is beneficial in conditioning the skin, nails and hair and can be used in psoriasis and eczema, dandruff and warts with good results. Jojoba is often used as a base for conditioning oil preparations for the hair and nails. It also has potential use as both a biodiesel fuel for cars and trucks, as well as a biodegradable lubricant.
Prefers a dry climate and can cope with mild frosts.
