Jatropha integerrima is a perennial evergreen shrub from the genus Jatropha and is often trained to grow as a small tree.
J. integerrima is native to the West Indies, Cuba, and Hispaniola and is a Jatropha species of flowering plants in the spurge family, Euphorbiaceae.
Other than its botanical name, you may hear this evergreen shrub called by its common names, including:
- Spicy Jatropha
- Firecracker tree
- Peregrina
- Chaya
Jatropha Integerrima Quick Care Tips
- Botanical Name: Jatropha integerrima
- Common Name(s): Peregrina, Spicy Jatropha, Firecracker tree, Chaya
- Synonyms: Jatropha pandurifolia, Jatropha hastata
- Pronunciation: Jat-ROE-fuh in-teh-GAIR-rih-muh
- Family & Origin: Euphorbiaceae family, native to the West Indies, Cuba, and Hispaniola
- Growability: Easy to grow
- Grow Zone: USDA zones 10 and 11
- Size: Can grow up to 15′ feet high and wide
- Flowering: Blooms red, pink, or white flowers from late summer until early spring
- Light: Full sun to partial shade
- Humidity: High level of humidity of 70% to 90% percent
- Temperature: Between 75° to 90° degrees Fahrenheit
- Soil: Well-draining soil
- Water: Water regularly, but allow the soil to dry out between waterings
- Fertilizer: Feed with a weak dilution of general-purpose houseplant fertilizer during the growing season
- Pests & Diseases: Can be susceptible to leaf miners, plant scale, and mites; may develop root rot if overwatered
- Propagation: Propagate through stem cuttings or seeds
- Plant Uses: Can be used as a hedge, accent plant, or annual container plant. The seeds can also be used to produce biodiesel.
Jatropha Integerrima Care
Size and Growth
This tropical evergreen has a moderate growth rate and reaches up to 15′ feet high and wide.
If you don’t prune it, it produces multiple trunks with slender stems.
The simple green leaves grow in an alternating arrangement along the stems.
Leaves are oblong and grow to a length of 4″ – 8″ inches.
Flowering and Fragrance
Year-round, the Firecracker tree blooms pretty red, pink, or white flowers from late summer until early spring that attract hummingbirds.
They are also very attractive to a wide variety of butterflies, including:
- Zebra Long Wings
- Swallowtails
- Monarchs
The star-shaped 1″ inch wide deep red flowers with yellow stamens are held in branched clusters on 4″ inch-long stalks around glossy green foliage.
Light and Temperature
Like its cousin Jatropha podagrica (buddha belly plant) Integerrima grows best in USDA hardiness zones 10 and 11.
Full sun to partial shade setting will produce the most flowers. The ideal temperatures for this plant range between 75° to 90° degrees Fahrenheit.
It’s a good idea to cover the plant if cold temperatures are expected.
Integerrima performs best in full sun frost-free locations but will grow in partial shade.
Watering and Feeding
This plant’s both maintenance and drought-tolerant.
Water regularly throughout the growing season and less during the dormant season.
Provide a weak dilution of general-purpose houseplant fertilizer during the growing season.
Soil and Transplanting
Firecracker Jatropha is easy to care for once it’s established.
It’s highly tolerant of a wide range of soil pH levels so long as the soil is well-drained.
Plant young plants in well-draining soil; this plant is not tolerant of salt.
It’s not a good choice for the seaside or beach setting.
Grooming and Maintenance
Prune Spicy Jatropha to control its growth and guide the form it takes.
If you allow it to grow free-form, it will become an interesting, wide bush or multi-trunk tree.
How To Propagate Spicy Jatropha?
Spicy Jatropha propagates from seed or cuttings.
To grow from seed:
- Prepare the seeds by soaking them in warm water for eight hours before planting.
- Plant directly into the soil outdoors in a sunny location.
- The soil should consist of equal parts of sand, garden soil, and aged manure.
- Don’t bury the seed deeply. Instead press it into the surface of the amended soil.
- Water frequently (two times daily) for the first week.
- Shoots should appear within six days.
- Reduce watering to once daily until the seedlings are ready to be transplanted.
This should take a couple of months.
To plant from cuttings:
- You’ll need mature tree-producing shoots.
- Cutting should be taken from the base of the tree, be at least 18″ inches long and have a minimum of four nodes.
- Put the cutting into a container of damp sawdust, coco core, or peat moss in a sheltered setting such as a planting tunnel or greenhouse.
- You must keep the cutting warm between 77° – 86° degrees Fahrenheit (25° C – 30° Celsius) with a high level of humidity of 70% to 90% percent.
- Keep the planting substrate moist but not saturated.
The cutting should begin developing roots within 7 – 10 days.
Peregrina Pest or Disease Problems
For the most part, Jatropha is trouble-free.
Compromised plants may be subject to predation by leaf miners, plant scale, and mites.
Is Integerrima Peregrina Toxic or Poisonous?
Every part of the Spicy Jatropha is poisonous if eaten.
Don’t add this plant to your landscape if you have pets or children.
Avoid Firecracker’s white, milky sap. It’s very irritating to the skin and is damaging if it makes contact with your eyes.
Wear long sleeves, gloves, and goggles when pruning.
Is Peregrina Spicy Invasive?
Jatropha integerrima grows well in Hawaii and Florida, but it’s not considered invasive.
Some other species of Jatropha are invasive in the state of Florida and other tropical settings.
Suggested Uses for Firecracker Tree
Jatropha from the family Euphorbiaceae is a very versatile plant that does well in groupings or as specimen plants in hardiness zones 9B through 11.
Keep it as a summer annual or a patio container tree in colder locations.
The dark green leaves make a nice backdrop.
Great companion plants include:
- Firecracker Plant
- Gold Mound
- Hibiscus trees
- Copper Plant
- Buddleia
- Dwarf Allamanda bush
- White Fountain Grass
- Buttercup
- Lantana