People are fascinated by the Jatropha tree because it is one of the few plants capable of blooming all year long. This is a popular choice of tree for landscaping in Florida, but it leads many homeowners to wonder how big the Jatropha Integerrima can grow.
One thing to know about a Jatropha tree is that it grows well in the right conditions.
These trees could grow to be 10 to 15 feet tall.
It’s not just the height that’s big on these plants either. They can also grow to be 8 feet wide.
Are you curious to learn more about how Jatropha Integerrima trees grow? Then, keep reading to find out everything you need to know about Jatropha Integerrima sizes.
What do Jatrophas look like?
A Jatropha is considered a shrub or small tree, and you can find it in many gardens across Florida.
As mentioned above, people love this shrub because it blooms 365 days a year.
That means once a person plants one in their garden, they will be delighted with blooming star-shaped red flowers all year.
These little red flowers will usually grow in clusters and be surrounded by leaves of various shapes and sizes.
A Jatropha will usually have more than one trunk, but you can trim it down to look more like one tree.
Gardeners should be careful when pruning their Jatropha plant because it does contain a milky sap that can cause skin irritations.
In the past, the Jatropha plant family has been used to make baskets, tan leather, and create dyes. One Jatropha species, Jatropha curcas, attracted attention in the 2000s as a biodiesel oil crop and as a lamp oil with medicinal value.
How long does it take a Jatropha Integerrima to grow?
Jatropha trees are not fussy plants, so even people who lack a green thumb can successfully plant these tropical shrubs in their landscape.
The Jatropha tree has quick growth rates, and many people notice a healthy crop within 2 to 3 years.
In the right conditions, this evergreen shrub could grow for 50 years.
Do Jatropha trees grow fast?
Plant care for a Jatropha is relatively easy. If these trees are treated well, they will grow quickly.
It won’t be long until you have a 15 feet tree on your landscape. (However, one thing to keep in mind is that if you get a dwarf Jatropha, it may only grow to be 6 feet tall.)
The good thing about this plant is that it is relatively maintenance-free, except for some pruning.
To set the best conditions for your Jatropha, it’s important to plant it in an area with full sun and in soil that is well-drained. While this plant does need regular watering, it is very drought tolerant.
In addition, they grow better in full sun because the soil does need to dry out occasionally.
Where does Jatropha grow best?
Jatropha plants are not cold tolerant and do much better when planted in tropical or sub-tropical regions, preferably states in the South. If they are planted in an area where it does get cooler, they are at risk of losing leaves.
Jatropha plants are native to Cuba, which is why they do better in the South.
In some southern states that are typically warm year-round but see a cold spell at certain points of the year, people may notice their plants lose leaves, but they don’t struggle to bloom again when it warms up.
It won’t take long for the green leaves and red flowers to bounce back.
One of the good things about the Jatropha is that they are not sensitive to the amount of sunlight they see daily. This means that they will continue to bloom those beautiful red flowers when the days are short.
Final thoughts
A Jatropha plant could grow 15 ft tall if the shrub is planted in the right area. They are a popular choice for a Florida landscape because they provide attractive red flowers that keep the butterflies coming back all year.
While this tall plant is native to Cuba, it blooms well in many southern states.
When planting a Jatropha evergreen in your garden, always make sure there is enough room for the plant to grow wide as well. You may need to prune the branches occasionally as per your liking.
For the best growth rate, always make sure the Jatropha gets full sun.