Ziziphus spina-christi - Christ's thorn jujube

The Christ's Thorn Jujube (Ziziphus spina-christi) is a tree with a twisted habit and thorny branches, which will withstand very hot and dry climates. Its bright green foliage shelters a discreet yet nectar-rich flowering, highly attractive to bees. Its small, sweet fruits resemble jujubes. it is not very hardy, tolerating temperatures down to -5°C to -7°C at peak, but prefers milder winters. This is a tree steeped in history, embodying both resilience and mysticism!

Ziziphus spina-christi, commonly known as Christ's Thorn Jujube or Palestine Jujube, belongs to the Rhamnaceae family. It is a cousin of the common jujube. Native to arid and semi-arid regions of North Africa, the Sahel, the Middle East, and the Arabian Peninsula, it is particularly prevalent in the Levant, East Africa, and Mesopotamia. It grows naturally in valleys, alluvial plains, and desert areas, up to an altitude of 500 metres. It is well-adapted to hot and dry environments, tolerating annual rainfall of just 50 to 500 mm. The wood of Ziziphus spina-christi is dense and durable, used in carpentry and for making charcoal. The tree is also valued for its medicinal and cultural uses, particularly in traditional medicine and certain religious practices.
In the wild, this tree can reach a height of 15 to 20 metres, with a trunk up to 60 cm in diameter. Its habit is spreading, with a dense, rounded crown. The trunk is often twisted, covered in light grey bark, deeply fissured and scaly. The branches are armed with pairs of sturdy thorns, typically measuring between 1 and 2.5 cm in length. The alternate and single, 2 to 6 cm long leaves are ovate to elliptical, with a rounded base and a pointed tip. The upper surface is dark green and glossy, while the underside is paler and hairy. The foliage is evergreen in warm climates but may become semi-evergreen or deciduous depending on environmental conditions.
The nectar-rich flowering of this Ziziphus occurs mainly in spring and summer. The flowers emit a subtle fragrance. The fruits are round to ovate edible drupes, measuring 1 to 2.5 cm in diameter. When ripe, they turn yellowish-brown. The flesh is sweet, encasing a hard stone containing one or two seeds. These fruits can be eaten fresh or dried, and possess recognised medicinal properties.

In favourable climates, the Christ's Thorn Jujube can be planted in an orchard or an ornamental garden, alongside pomegranates, an olive tree, a fig tree, and grapevines. If not grown solely for its fruit, it can also be integrated into a defensive hedge, with hawthorn, Cassier, and Pyracantha. All these plants are truly low-maintenance, perfectly self-sufficient once established, ornamental, and valuable for biodiversity.
If winters are too cold to grow the Christ's Thorn Jujube in the ground, opt for container cultivation. Before frost sets in, move it to a cold greenhouse, an unheated conservatory, or a bright room (5-10°C).