Buddha Belly
Jatropha podagrica
Light Requirements
Light: Thrives in full sun to bright partial shade.
Watering Protocols
Water - Container: Allow substrate to dry between waterings during active growth; reduce watering significantly during winter dormancy or leaf drop.
Growing Medium / Substrate
Growing Medium / Substrate: Requires well-drained succulent soil mix and containers with functional drainage holes.
Safety Guidance
Toxic if ingested; latex sap irritates skin.
Seeds are toxic if eaten and should be kept away from children.
Additional Plant Information
Accepted scientific name: Jatropha podagrica Hook.
Botanical family: Euphorbiaceae (Spurge family).
Native distribution spans Southern Mexico to Nicaragua.
Deciduous caudiciform succulent shrub with a swollen stem base.
Reaches roughly 2-3 ft in indoor container culture, and up to 8 ft in native tropical habitat.
Leaves may drop in autumn; flowers can continue after leaf loss.