How to grow Jujube in New Zealand
Jujube, also called Chinese date or red date, is a tough, deciduous small tree grown for its sweet fruit, crisp like an apple when fresh and date-like when dried. It needs little care and is drought tolerant once established, but it must have a hot summer to ripen its fruit. In New Zealand it does best in the hot, dry summers of Hawke's Bay, Marlborough and Central Otago.
📖 Our full guide: How to Grow Jujubes in New Zealand
At a glance
When to plant by region
| Region | When to plant | Regional note |
|---|---|---|
| Northland | June to August | |
| Auckland | June to August | |
| Waikato & Bay of Plenty | June to August | |
| Central North Island | Not suited | Summers are too cool and short for jujube fruit to ripen. |
| Wellington & Lower North Island | June to August | |
| Nelson & Marlborough | June to August | |
| Canterbury | June to August | |
| Otago & Southland | Not suited | Summers are too short and cool for jujube fruit to ripen. |
| Central Otago | June to August |
Where to plant
Give jujube the hottest, sunniest spot you have, with at least six to eight hours of direct sun a day. It is not fussy about soil, but it must drain well, and it prefers neutral to slightly alkaline conditions. Dig in compost and sheep pellets to improve fertility.
The trees are hardy and tolerate dry conditions once established. What limits them in New Zealand is summer heat: in cool or short summers they grow but the fruit may not ripen.
- Hawke's Bay, Marlborough, Nelson, Canterbury and Central Otago: the best districts, with hot, dry summers.
- Northland, Auckland, Waikato and Bay of Plenty, and Wellington: worth trying in the hottest, most sheltered spot; humid summers can make crops lighter.
- Central North Island, Otago and Southland: summers are too cool and short for the fruit to ripen.
Choosing a variety
Jujubes in New Zealand are sold as named trees, seedlings or sucker-grown plants. Sucker-grown trees from a fruiting mother tree, such as plants from Li seedlings, are more predictable than unknown seedlings. Li is a well-known variety with large, round fruit. Jujubes are generally self fertile, so one tree will fruit.
How to plant
- Plant in winter to early spring while the tree is dormant.
- Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and mix compost and a general fertiliser into the soil you removed.
- Plant at the same depth as before, backfill and water thoroughly.
- Mulch around the base, keeping mulch off the trunk.
- Water regularly through the first summer to establish a deep root system.
Watering and feeding
Water young trees regularly. Established jujubes are drought resistant but benefit from an occasional deep watering in long dry spells, especially while the fruit is developing.
Feed lightly in spring with a general fertiliser, and keep a layer of organic mulch around the base to hold moisture and suppress weeds.
Pruning and care through the year
- Prune in late winter to remove dead, damaged or crowded branches, which improves airflow and light and can improve fruit size.
- Jujubes can sucker from the roots, especially when grafted; pull or cut suckers off at the base unless you want new plants.
- Many jujubes have spines on the branches, so wear gloves when pruning and picking.
- Jujubes leaf out late in spring, so do not worry if the tree looks dead well after others have woken.
Harvesting
Jujube fruit ripens from late summer into autumn. Pick it when it has turned from green to reddish-brown or mahogany and yields slightly to pressure. At the half-coloured stage the flesh is crisp and apple-like; fully coloured fruit is sweeter and starts to wrinkle.
Fresh fruit keeps about a week in the fridge. For drying, leave the fruit until fully ripe, then dry it in a dehydrator or a warm, airy place; dried jujubes keep for months.
Pests and diseases
Jujube is almost free of pests and diseases in New Zealand, and needs little or no spraying. Birds are the main nuisance at harvest.
Pests to watch for
- Birds Ripening fruit pecked on the tree. Net small trees as fruit colours.
Jujube is rarely troubled by disease.
Common questions
Where does jujube grow best in New Zealand?
In districts with hot, dry summers, such as Hawke's Bay, Marlborough, Nelson, Canterbury and Central Otago. In the central North Island, Otago and Southland summers are too cool for the fruit to ripen.
How long until a jujube fruits?
Usually two to three years after planting a young tree.
When is jujube fruit ripe?
When it turns from green to reddish-brown or mahogany and gives slightly when pressed, from late summer into autumn. Pick some half-coloured for crisp eating and leave the rest to colour fully for drying.
Do I need two jujube trees?
Jujubes are generally self fertile, so one tree will fruit, though a second variety may improve crops.
Why is my jujube not leafing out?
Jujubes are late to break dormancy and often leaf out weeks after other fruit trees. Scratch a twig: green underneath means it is alive.
Do jujubes need much water?
Only while young. Established trees are drought resistant, but a deep watering in long dry spells while the fruit develops gives better fruit.
Sources we checked: Kings Plant Barn: Jujube grow well guide; Flying Dragon Nursery (NZ): Chinese jujube.