Jojoba oil

Jojoba bush & jojoba seed

Jojoba oil (jojoba wax) is obtained from the seeds of the jojoba bush (Simmondsia chinensis). This belongs to the clove-like plant family. The jojoba bush is considered the most robust plant of its kind. It grows in particularly dry areas and desert regions where conventional agriculture is not possible. Thanks to its tap roots, which are up to 10 metres deep, the jojoba shrub can reach even hard-to-reach groundwater and supplies itself with water. The shrub is extremely frugal and does not need rainwater even during long dry periods, only because it is supplied by its roots. The jojoba shrub reaches growth heights of 0.5 to 3 metres, usually 2.0 to 2.5 metres. It can be recognised by its leathery, evergreen leaves and the light, hard wood and smooth bark. The upright foliage leaves, which are arranged in opposite directions, are divided into a short leaf stem and a leaf blade. Its leaves are 2 to 6 centimetres long and 1 to 2 centimetres wide. The leaves are covered with a layer of wax to protect them from perspiration. They have a life span of one to three years, depending on the humidity conditions.

There are jojoba shrubs with exclusively female and exclusively male flowers, where the female plants stand alone, but the male plants grow together in groups. After pollination of the flowers, it takes about three to six months for the jojoba fruit to ripen. These fruits are nut-like seeds, also called nuts, are wrinkled, brown and their size is similar to that of an olive. They consist of up to 50 percent of the valuable jojoba oil.

It takes up to 4-6 years until the first harvest of jojoba fruits. The maximum yield is 12 years. In a natural environment, the shrubs can live up to 200 years.