This dramatic and eye-catching caudex plant features a plump, bottle-shaped trunk topped with large, trilobed leaves, and at the tips, bursts into sprays of brilliant red flowers. What's that—you say the flowers in the photo aren't red? That's true! What you're seeing here is the rarer "yellow-flowered type." Despite its rarity, 'yellow-flowered' forms often pop up quietly at garden centers around the country, and are priced affordably, making them a great entry point for anyone new to caudex plants.
Its Japanese name "Sango Aburagiri (Coral Tung)" comes from the flowers' resemblance to coral and the large leaves' likeness to the native tung tree. On the other hand, the scientific name podagrica actually means "gout"—referring to a swollen foot—so let's just forget about that rather painful image!
Native to the highlands from southern Mexico to Nicaragua, this plant thrives in a region with distinct wet and dry seasons. During winter dormancy, the Buddha Belly Plant drops its leaves—so hold off on watering completely. In contrast, when it's in full leaf during summer, be diligent about watering to keep it happy. Since the plant is self-fertile, you can produce endless seeds even from a single specimen.
If left alone, the trunk tends to grow tall. But, according to this resource, regular pinching will thicken the base dramatically and transform its form—so why not give it a go? The best time to try is just before or during dormancy. Good luck!
| Season Type | - |
|---|---|
| Sun Exposure | Shade |
| Hardiness | 0℃ / 32℉ |
| Blooming Season | - |
Gray display shows general information for Jatropha.
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After months of doing the square root of sod all for months, Jatropha podagrica is finally awake #houseplanthour https://t.co/hamPrYeiA4
Jatropha podagrica https://t.co/tSnagzQrZk
@wonder_m_r ayer compré por fin una jatropha podagrica ya con algunas flores #viernesdeflores https://t.co/95h8VSKPdG
@Polypompholyx Jatropha podagrica
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