'Li' Jujube

The Li Jujube has earned its place as the most widely planted jujube cultivar in North America thanks to its combination of flavour, size, and reliability. This Chinese heirloom cultivar produces large, golf-ball-sized fruits that are crisp, juicy, and pleasantly sweet when eaten fresh, with a flavour reminiscent of apples. When dried, they transform into chewy, date-like treats, making Li one of the few jujubes equally prized for both fresh eating and drying.

Ripening in early to mid-autumn, Li is among the earliest jujubes to harvest, ensuring reliable crops even in shorter growing seasons. The tree is naturally compact and it adapts well to pruning — even thriving in smaller gardens. Hardy to Zone 5, drought-tolerant, and able to produce in poor soils, Li is one of the easiest fruit trees to grow.

Self-fertile and consistently productive, Li is a reliable choice for a single-tree planting, though pairing it with another jujube variety can further boost yields. Its small, fragrant summer flowers also support pollinators, adding ecological value to its many strengths.

Common names: Li Jujube, Chinese Date, Red Date

Edible: Fruit
Harvest timing: Early to mid fall

Scientific name: Ziziphus jujuba ‘Li’
Light requirements: Full sun 
Full-grown size: 15-20' tall x 12-15' wide
Hardiness: Zone 5
Pollination: Self-fertile, though cross pollination can increase yields.
Wildlife: Fallen fruit may be eaten by mammals, though the tree itself is quite resilient to pests. 
Origin: Native to China and cultivar bred in China.
Noteworthy: Heat-loving and drought tolerant once established.