Jujubes are one of the easiest fruit crops to grow, with few pests or problems ever reported. Jujube (Zizyphus jujube) also called Chinese dates, will grow in zones 6-9. Fruit from seedlings can be quite small, while improved varieties can be as large as 2 inches long and 1 1/2 inches in diameter. The fruit usually ripens in July and August. As it matures on the tree, it will gradually turn from a light green to a dark brown and become wrinkled. A single seed is inside the fruit and the dark brown appearance and this seed gives rise to the common name, Chinese Date. The texture and flavor more closely resemble that of an apple than a date. Varieties of jujube trees are propagated either by seed or root sprouts from stands of trees. The fruit from these seedlings will usually be of inferior quality; however, they are readily available, inexpensive, and easy to maintain. There are two commonly known varieties: Li is the largest fruit grown in and also the best flavored. It has edible flesh when picked from the tree and is somewhat later than the other varieties. Lang is the most widely grown named variety. It produces heavy crops of large pear shaped fruit that matures ahead of the Li variety. Lang produces a more spreading tree than other jujube trees.
For more information on this plant, visit the Texas A&M University site: Jujubes.
