Jatropha podagrica

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Other common names

Guatemala rhubarb, tartogo

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Cactus Succulent
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A shrubby perennial with a short stout caudex and branched fleshy, spiny stems bearing leathery 3 or 5-lobed leaves, whitish beneath, clustered at the tips, and small bright scarlet flowers in branched terminal clusters in summer

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
5–10 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or East–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H1B

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Euphorbiaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Bushy
Potentially harmful
Harmful if eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling Pets (dogs, cats): Harmful if eaten - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
Genus
Jatropha can be perennials or evergreen shrubs, often forming a stout, succulent caudex, with simple lobed or finely divided leaves and small flowers in summer, either solitary or in cymes
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
C America

How to Grow

Cultivation

Under glass, grow in two parts peat-free, loam-based compost and one part each of leafmould and grit. Provide full light with some protection from hot sun. Water moderately during the growing season and keep dry in the autumn and winter

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown in containers in spring or summer at 24C (75F)

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Patio and container plants

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to mealybugs

Diseases

Generally disease-free