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Jatropha podagrica (Gout plant)
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1 hour care
per year
per year
0.6m
Max height
Max height
0.3m
Max spread
Max spread
10-20 years
To maturity
To maturity
Low
Toxicity
Toxicity
Plant details
Botanical name
Jatropha podagrica
Other names
Gout plant, Guatemala rhubarb, Tartogo, Buddha belly plant, Bottleplant shrub, Purging-nut, Goutystalk nettlespurge
Genus
Jatropha Jatropha
Species
J. podagrica - J. podagrica is a tender, branching, fleshy, succulent, deciduous to semi-evergreen perennial with a short, swollen, grey trunk and spiny, grey stems bearing rounded to ovate, lobed, dark green leaves. Erect stems bear branched clusters of scarlet to coral-red flowers in summer.
Jatropha podagrica is: Deciduous
Habit
Erect flower stem, Branching
Toxicity
All parts are poisonous if ingested. Contact with sap may irritate skin.
Flower
Scarlet in Summer
Foliage
Dark-green in Spring; Dark-green in Summer; Dark-green in Autumn
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Mealybugs Mealybugs
Diseases
Generally disease free.
General care
Pruning
Leaves tend to be larger when grown in partial shade. Flowers attract butterflies.
Propagation
Sow seed in spring or summer at 24C. Whilst still on teh plant, seed pods tend to explode when ripe.
Propagation methods
Seed
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Where to grow
Jatropha podagrica (Gout plant) will reach a height of 0.6m and a spread of 0.3m after 10-20 years.
Suggested uses
Low Maintenance, Greenhouse, Drought Tolerant, Containers, Conservatory, Beds and borders, Wildlife
Cultivation
Under glass, grow in loam-based compost with added grit & leaf mould in full light with shade from hot sun. Water moderatly & feed monthly in growth. Keep dry in winter. Outdoors in frost-free areas, grow in gritty, sharply-drained soil in sun.
Soil type
Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Sun
Aspect
South, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Tender in frost (H3), Indoor heated (H1)
Companion plants
We do not currently have companion plants added for this plant.
Botanical name
Jatropha podagrica
Other names
Gout plant, Guatemala rhubarb, Tartogo, Buddha belly plant, Bottleplant shrub, Purging-nut, Goutystalk nettlespurge
Genus
Jatropha Jatropha
Species
J. podagrica - J. podagrica is a tender, branching, fleshy, succulent, deciduous to semi-evergreen perennial with a short, swollen, grey trunk and spiny, grey stems bearing rounded to ovate, lobed, dark green leaves. Erect stems bear branched clusters of scarlet to coral-red flowers in summer.
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Erect flower stem, Branching
Toxicity
All parts are poisonous if ingested. Contact with sap may irritate skin.
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Colour
Flower
Scarlet in Summer
Foliage
Dark-green in Spring; Dark-green in Summer; Dark-green in Autumn
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Diseases
Generally disease free.
General care
Pruning
Leaves tend to be larger when grown in partial shade. Flowers attract butterflies.
Propagation
Sow seed in spring or summer at 24C. Whilst still on teh plant, seed pods tend to explode when ripe.
Propagation methods
Seed
Monthly care advice
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Where to grow
Jatropha podagrica (Gout plant) will reach a height of 0.6m and a spread of 0.3m after 10-20 years.
Suggested uses
Low Maintenance, Greenhouse, Drought Tolerant, Containers, Conservatory, Beds and borders, Wildlife
Cultivation
Under glass, grow in loam-based compost with added grit & leaf mould in full light with shade from hot sun. Water moderatly & feed monthly in growth. Keep dry in winter. Outdoors in frost-free areas, grow in gritty, sharply-drained soil in sun.
Soil type
Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Sun
Aspect
South, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Tender in frost (H3), Indoor heated (H1)
USDA zones
Zone 11, Zone 10
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Loamy, Sandy | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Well-drained | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Partial Shade, Full Sun | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | South, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Tender in frost (H3), Indoor heated (H1) | Tell us... |
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