Jatropha Podagrica Care: Growing and Cultivating The Buddha Belly Plant
May 27, 2023
The funny little jatropha podagrica [JAT-roh-fuh pod-AG-ree-kuh] is a great conversation starter and addition to any planter.
It’s native to the tropical Americas and commonly cultivated as an ornamental plant.
Podagrica means “swollen foot,” fitting for this swollen succulent looking plant.
It features a swollen “trunk” that is topped with several large fig-shaped leaves. Besides the swollen stem, it produces bright red flowers throughout the year.
The jatropha podagrica is incredibly toxic, so special care is needed when dealing with this plant.
It also has quite a few different common names:
- Bottle plant
- Bottleplant shrub
- Gout plant
- Purging nut
- Buddha belly plant
- Guatemala rhubarb
- Gout stick