May 2025's Floral Feature: Jatropha Plant
Planning some summer blooms in Kona? Been thinking about the upcoming dry season? Consider jatropha varieties that have decent drought tolerance and produce vibrant red or pretty pink flowers nearly all year round.
Let's talk about two popular ones: the Peregrina and Buddha belly. Both belong to the Jatropha genus, which includes over 150 species all in the Euphorbiaceae family.
Peregrina, also known as the Rose flowered jatropha, usually grows as a shrub but can be pruned to resemble a tree. Native to Cuba and the West Indies, it's become a favored ornamental in tropical and subtropical areas. Bring to Hawaii from Panama back in 1950, Peregrina is now commonly used in Hawaiian gardens as a screening plant or container specimen, offering bright rose colored flowers.
Buddha belly, known as Jatropha podagrica, is a bit smaller with an unusual growth habit, earning its name as the base of the plant swells like a belly. Its vibrant red flowers are a bit smaller than Peregrina, but the flower clusters contain many buds or stumps, adding to its unique appearance.
Both jatrophas share growing preferences, but their shapes and sizes differ. Peregrina is a more traditional plant choice, while Buddha belly offers a distinctive, eye-catching addition to your garden.
Whether you want a larger or smaller shrub or the brighter flower, these jatrophas make good additions to a drought-tolerant garden. Both offer colorful flowers, providing a lovely touch to your summer landscaping.
Additional Insights:
- Peregrina: thrives in full sun for optimal flowering[2]. Resilient in poor, well-draining soils and tolerates a wide range of pH levels[2][4]. Attracts pollinators, like butterflies and hummingbirds[4][5]. Perfect for low-water, wildlife-friendly designs in tropical climates[4].
- Buddha belly: requires sharp drainage, like sandy or rocky mixes or the addition of perlite/pumice to standard potting soil if planting in containers[3]. Tolerates minimal water and can store water within its swollen caudex[3]. Ideal for arid gardens, but protect from frost and ensure airflow around the base to prevent fungal issues[3]. Plant in full sun to partial shade.
Cultivate your garden with vibrant flora, attract creature friends, and enjoy the tropical beauty of these drought-tolerant jatrophas.
- The Peregrina, also known as the Rose flowered jatropha, thrives best in full sun for optimal flowering, making it perfect for low-water, wildlife-friendly designs in tropical climates.
- In the home-and-garden sphere, the vibrant red flowers of Buddha belly, or Jatropha podagrica, add an eye-catching, distinctive touch to your garden, especially when planted in sandy or rocky mixes or standard potting soil amended with perlite/pumice for optimal drainage.
- These two jatropha species, Peregrina and Buddha belly, are not only attractive additions to a drought-tolerant garden but also provide a suitable habitat for pollinators such as butterflies and hummingbirds.
- By integrating these jatropha varieties into your summer landscaping, you can create a beautiful flowering oasis that boasts lush, drought-tolerant vegetation, bringing a touch of tropical beauty to your lifestyle.
- Apart from their traditional function as screening plants or container specimens, home-garden events such as flower shows and exhibitions can prove to be exciting platforms to showcase the infrequent but vibrant 4893 blooming of these captivating jatropha plants.
