Plant jojoba in fall or early spring, in a hole three times as wide as the root ball and no deeper, at the old soil line.
Plant in fall or early spring, in a wide hole that drains
| Factor | Recommended | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| When | Fall first, so roots work through cool weather; early spring if you can water | Do not plant into midsummer heat unless you can water on a desert schedule |
| Hole | Three times as wide as the root ball, and no deeper than the pot | Do not dig a deep pit that holds water around the stem |
| Backfill | The same native soil you dug | Do not pack rich potting mix into the hole |
| Spacing | About 4 to 6 feet for a screen; more for a specimen | Do not crowd it against a wall that will force a yearly clip |
Buy a labeled nursery shrub and get it into the ground while the root ball is still intact. jojoba makes a taproot, so slide the plant out and set it even with the surrounding soil. [1] Fall is the better window in hot-summer country, because the roots can work before June heat. Early spring works if you can water. Wait until the soil itself is warm if you are planting from a cold snap. [2] Well-drained sand, gravel, or rocky ground is enough. You do not need to improve desert soil with compost for this shrub. [3] It is slow, so give it room at the start rather than moving it later. [4] Sun and first-season water are on How to Grow Jojoba.
- Pick a full-sun bed that drains. Keep it off irrigated lawn and off a low wet hole.
- Dig a hole about three times as wide as the root ball, and no deeper than the pot.
- Slide the plant out. Set the old soil line even with the surrounding soil. Do not bury the stem, and do not tease the taproot apart.
- Backfill with the native soil you dug. Firm it enough to close air pockets, then water it in deeply.
- Leave about 4 to 6 feet between plants for a screen, or more for a single specimen.
When do I plant jojoba?
Fall is first. Early spring is second if you can water. Skip midsummer unless you can keep a new plant watered.
If the hole holds water, raise the bed or pick a slope. Plant in fall or early spring, at the old soil line, in a wide hole that drains.
FAQ
Do I need a male and a female?
Only if you want seed. Female plants carry the acorn-like capsules; a male nearby supplies pollen. For a foliage hedge, one plant is enough. Ask the nursery if they cloned a known sex.
Should I add compost to the hole?
No. Backfill with the soil you dug. Rich mix in a desert hole holds water around the stem and starts rot.
Can I move a large jojoba later?
The taproot goes deep, so a big shrub rarely takes a move. Plant it where it can stay, at the old soil line, with room to fill.
Related guides
Recommended plants
References
- [1] Southwest Gardener -
https://swgardener.com/jojoba/ - [2] Purdue University NewCROP -
https://hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/afcm/jojoba.html - [3] University of Arizona Campus Arboretum -
https://apps.cals.arizona.edu/arboretum/taxon.aspx?id=897 - [4] Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center -
https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=sich
This note is part of Simmondsia Guides.
More planting notes by plant are gathered in Planting Guides.
Updated: Reviewed by Bosquelle Editors