Jatropha / Peregrina / Spicy Jatropha

Scientific Name: Jatropha integerrima

Light Requirement: Full sun to partial shade. It flowers best in full sun, but can tolerate some light shade. In too much shade, growth may become thinner and flowering may be reduced.

Height: Typically 8–15 ft. tall in Florida landscapes, with a similar spread if allowed to grow naturally. It can be maintained smaller with pruning or trained into a small ornamental tree.

Plant Spacing: Space about 6–10 ft. apart for individual specimens, small-tree accents, or loose groupings. Allow room away from walkways, driveways, patios, pool cages, and structures because the branching canopy can spread as it matures.

Growth Habit: Moderate-growing tropical evergreen shrub or small tree with slender branching, a rounded to open canopy, unusual fiddle-shaped or lobed leaves, and clusters of bright red to pinkish-red flowers. It often grows with multiple trunks but can be trained into a cleaner small-tree form with selective pruning.

Hardiness: USDA Zones 10–11; cold sensitive and may be damaged by frost or freezing temperatures; moderately drought tolerant once established; low salt tolerance; adaptable to acidic to alkaline soils as long as drainage is good.

Maintenance Info: Low to moderate maintenance when planted in the right location. Water regularly during establishment, then reduce watering once rooted. Prune selectively to shape the plant, train it into a small tree, remove low crossing branches, or maintain clearance around walkways. Avoid heavy constant shearing if a natural flowering tree form is desired. A slow-release landscape fertilizer during the growing season can support healthy growth and flowering, especially in sandy Florida soils. The seeds are toxic, so avoid planting where children or pets are likely to handle or ingest fallen seed capsules.

Best Uses in the Landscape: Excellent as a small flowering tree, tropical accent, courtyard plant, pool-area accent, entryway feature, patio-area plant, specimen shrub, or focal point in sunny landscape beds. It works especially well where bright red flowers and a tropical look are desired without using a large shade tree.

Plant Info: Jatropha is native to Cuba and is widely used in warm-climate landscapes for its year-round tropical appearance and showy flower clusters. The common name Peregrina is commonly used for Jatropha integerrima, while Spicy Jatropha refers to the plant’s bold, vivid flower color and tropical character. In Florida landscapes, it is valued as a colorful small flowering tree or large shrub that can bring strong visual interest to sunny areas. It is not native to Florida, but it is considered a useful Florida-friendly ornamental when planted in the right location.