Chinese Jujube Seeds

Jujube Seeds (Dried)

Grow a unique and hardy fruiting tree from seed. Jujube, also known as Chinese Date, is a productive deciduous tree that produces sweet, crisp fruit that can be eaten fresh or dried. These dried seeds are ideal for growers wanting to raise this unusual and rewarding fruit tree from seed.

Seed Type: Dried Jujube (Ziziphus jujuba) seeds.

Origin: China and parts of Central Asia.

Growth Habit: Small to medium deciduous tree reaching around 4–10 metres at maturity. Suitable for orchards, food forests, lifestyle blocks and larger gardens.

Climate: Thrives in warm, sunny climates and is known for being drought tolerant once established. It grows best in areas with hot summers and can tolerate cold winters once mature.

Germination: Jujube seeds can be slow and uneven to germinate. Soak seeds in warm water for 24 hours before sowing 10–15 mm deep in a free-draining seed-raising mix. Keep warm, lightly moist and be patient, as germination may take several weeks to several months.

Fruit: Produces small round to oval fruit that ripen from green to reddish-brown. The flesh is crisp and apple-like when fresh, becoming sweet, chewy and date-like when dried.

Flowers: Small yellow-green flowers appear in spring to summer and attract bees and other beneficial pollinators.

Fruiting: Typically begins producing fruit within 3–5 years from seed under good growing conditions, although this can vary.

Care: Prefers full sun, fertile free-draining soil and moderate watering while young. Once established, jujube trees are hardy, drought tolerant and relatively low maintenance.

Health Benefits

The fruit is naturally rich in:

• Vitamin C to support the immune system.
• Dietary Fibre for healthy digestion.
• Potassium which supports heart and muscle function.
• Antioxidants that help protect cells from oxidative stress.
• Natural sugars and minerals, making the fruit a nutritious fresh or dried snack.

Please note: The price is for one seed. Many of the species we offer are extremely rare in New Zealand and can be difficult to source. We spend considerable time locating high-quality seeds from trusted growers both within New Zealand and around the world, allowing us to offer unique and hard-to-find species to fellow collectors and gardeners.