Industrial & Crops· Simmondsia chinensis

Jojoba Growing Guide

Desert shrub producing liquid wax from seeds. Used in cosmetics, lubricants, and pharmaceuticals. Extremely drought-tolerant.

How Long Does Jojoba Take to Grow?

Jojoba typically reaches its first harvest about 5 years after planting.

1825
Days to Harvest
470
kg seed/hectare
low
Water Needs
full sun
Sun Needs

FAO. 2025. FAOSTAT: Production: Crops and livestock products. Accessed on 13 October 2026. https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/QCL Licence: CC-BY-4.0.

Growing Conditions

Temperature
25-38°C optimal
Frost Tolerance
light
Drought Tolerance
high
Heat Tolerance
high

Soil Requirements

Soil Type & pH

Best soil types: sandy, sandy loam, desert

pH range: 6.5 - 7.5 (optimal: 7)

Drainage: excellent

Planting Guide

Planting Methods
seedlings, cuttings
Plant Spacing
300 cm apart, 400 cm rows
Planting Season
spring

Yield & Economics

Market Demand
growing
Profitability
high

Growing Tips

Dioecious — plant 1 male per 5 females for pollination

Seeds contain liquid wax (not oil) — unique among plants

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Jojoba take to grow?

Jojoba typically takes about 5 years from planting to first harvest. The best planting season is spring.

What soil does Jojoba need?

Jojoba grows best in sandy, sandy loam, desert soil with a pH of 6.5-7.5. Excellent drainage is required.

What temperature does Jojoba need?

Jojoba grows best at 25-38°C. Frost tolerance: light. Heat tolerance: high.

What is the expected yield for Jojoba?

The one country with grounded data reports about 470 kg seed/hectare for Jojoba. These are national statistics, not a best-case figure — an individual farm's yield depends on variety, climate, soil and management.

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