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Buddha Belly Plant

About Buddha Belly Plant

Buddha Belly plant is a tropical succulent shrub from tropical Americas. It is grown as a houseplant and generally reaches 2-3 feet tall, but grows 8 feet tall in its native habitat. The caudex is bottle-shaped, knobby and gray-skinned, growing erect and narrowing near the top. The flower clusters are held above the leaves, have both male and female flowers and are orangish-red in color.

Taxonomy

Scientific name

Jatropha podagrica

Genus

Jatropha

Family

Euphorbiaceae

Order

Malpighiales

Also known as

Euphorbiaceae, Ornamental, Gout plant, Gout stalk, Guatemalan rhubarb, Coral plant, Buddha belly plant, Purging-nut, Physic nut, Goutystalk nettlespurge, Australian bottle plant and Tartogo

How to care for Buddha Belly Plant

💦 Water

How often to water your Buddha Belly Plant

Buddha Belly Plant needs 0.5 cups of water every 9 when it doesn’t get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5" pot.

Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Water 0.5 cups every
9

Does your plant get direct sunlight?

No Yes

Select the pot size

☀️ Light

Finding light for Buddha Belly Plant in your home

Buddha Belly Plant love being close to bright, sunny windows 😎.

Place it less than 1ft from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.

Buddha Belly Plant does not tolerate low-light 🚫.

Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Buddha Belly Plant in your home 🏡.

🪴 Nutrients

How to fertilize Buddha Belly Plant

Nutrient, fertilizer, and repotting needs for Buddha Belly Plant: repot after 2X growth

Most potting soils come with ample nutrients which plants use to produce new growth.

By the time your plant has depleted the nutrients in its soil it’s likely grown enough to need a larger pot anyway.

To replenish this plant's nutrients, repot your Buddha Belly Plant after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

Browse #BottlePlant

💡 FAQs

⭐ Difficulty Level

Buddha Belly Plant is generally easy to care for, though some plant parents report facing challenges with growing it. Check out the reviews down below to read more about their experiences!

How to Grow Buddha Belly Plant →

Benefits of Growing Buddha Belly Plant →

Common Buddha Belly Plant Problems →

Indoor Care Guide for Buddha Belly Plant →

Outdoor Care Guide for Buddha Belly Plant →

💦 Water Needs

Buddha Belly Plant prefers for the soil to dry out between waterings and should be watered regularly. Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Buddha Belly Plant Water Frequency →

☀️ Sunlight Needs

Buddha Belly Plant requires abundant, bright and direct light. Place it less than one foot from a window to ensure it receives enough light to survive 💪. Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home 🏡.

Buddha Belly Plant Direct Sunlight Needs & Tolerance →

🐶 🐈 👶 Toxicity

Buddha Belly Plant is not safe to consume. If you, a family member, or a pet has ingested any amount of plant material contact Poison Control, US (800) 222-1222, or your veterinarian. If you have children, cats, or dogs in the home, we suggest keeping this plant out of reach.

🪴 Soil

Buddha Belly Plant does best in well-draining soil. A good soil will contain lots of organic matter such as coco coir as well as perlite or vermiculite to help with drainage. Adding a handful of perlite to regular store-bought potting soil should do the trick!

Best Pots for Buddha Belly Plant →

When and How to Successfully Repot Buddha Belly Plant →

What Are Healthy Buddha Belly Plant Roots →

💩 Fertilizer

Buddha Belly Plant grows very slowly and doesn’t require added fertilizer. Replacing your plant’s potting soil once a year should provide them with more than enough nutrition. Remember, plants get their energy from sunlight, not fertilizer!

🌸 Flowers

Yes, you may see your Buddha Belly Plant bloom with the right amount of sunlight and water.

Is Buddha Belly Plant an Annual Plant? →

Is Buddha Belly Plant a Perennial Plant? →

Buddha Belly Plant Pollination Guide →

Common Buddha Belly Plant Flower Problems →

⬆️ ⬇️ Growth Pattern

Buddha Belly Plant grows vertically and new growth will emerge from the top of the plant.

Buddha Belly Plant Lifecycle →

Buddha Belly Plant Size Guide →

How and When to Prune Buddha Belly Plant →

🌦️ Growing Outdoors

USDA Hardiness Zone
Buddha Belly Plant can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 9a-11b. Find your local hardiness zone here.

Buddha Belly Plant Temperature Tolerance →

Buddha Belly Plant Hardiness Zones →

Landscaping Ideas with Buddha Belly Plant →

When to Plant Buddha Belly Plant →

How to Plant Buddha Belly Plant →

Where to Plant Buddha Belly Plant →

Winter Care for Buddha Belly Plant →

Best Companion Plants for Buddha Belly Plant →

Is Buddha Belly Plant a Weed? →

🧐 Troubleshooting

When troubleshooting a sad-looking houseplant, start by checking for signs of distress in its leaves, such as yellowing, browning, or drooping, which can indicate overwatering or nutrient deficiencies.

Inspect the soil moisture; too dry or too wet soil can cause problems.

Ensure the plant is getting the right amount of light, as too much or too little can stress it.

Finally, consider environmental factors like temperature and humidity, and adjust care routines accordingly to revive your plant.