Christ's thorn jujube (sidr)
Ziziphus spina-christi
Sidr honey comes from its flowers; the small sweet-tart fruit ripens through winter.
Hardiness: zones 9 to 11
Light: full sun
Size: about 30 ft tall, 25 ft wide
Harvest: November to January
From: N. Africa, Arabia and the Sahel
Drought-hardy once established
Here: Too tender to overwinter outdoors on the Lake Erie shore (zone 6b to 7a): grow it in a pot and bring it in, or treat it as an annual.
Good for: food, pollinators.
Native to: Sahara & Arabian deserts, African savannas & tropics. Hardy in zones 9 to 11.
The story
Sidr, the Christ's thorn jujube, is the sacred lote tree of the Qur'an and has fed the Sahel and Arabia for thousands of years; the small sweet fruit is dried and ground, the leaves wash the dead, and Yemeni sidr honey is the most prized in the world.
Planting
Full sun, any dry soil, heat, and no frost; it tolerates salt and drought extremes. Plant seed or a seedling; thorny, to 30 feet.
Growing
Water the first year, then nothing. Prune to a tree or let it hedge. Keep bees nearby for the honey.
Harvest and use
Fruit ripens yellow-brown in the dry season; eat fresh, dry, or grind into flour. The leaves make a soap-like wash.
What to watch for
Thorns and frost.
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General guidance, not professional advice. Conditions vary by yard and year; for local specifics ask your county extension office. Never eat a wild plant you cannot identify with certainty. Traditional uses are shared as history, not medical advice. © 2026 Sean Priest · Irie Orchard. Terms & credits · Privacy · Home