Origin
The Jatropha Podagrica, also known as the Buddha Belly plant, has its origin in Central America and the Caribbean. The plant was disseminated throughout the world by Spanish sailors. Many of these plants can be found in tropical and subtropical regions of the world.

Characteristics
The Jatropha Podagrica is a succulent species and belongs to the family of the Euphorbiaceae. The plant has a striking appearance with a thick, swollen trunk, hence its nickname 'Buddha Belly plant'. The flowers are orange-red in colour and the leaves are large, deeply lobed and have a glossy green colour.

Care
The Jatropha Podagrica loves lots of light, but cannot tolerate direct sunlight. The plant needs sandy, well-draining soil. In winter, the plant cannot tolerate temperatures below 15 degrees Celsius. Watering should be moderate, the plant prefers too little over too much water. In the resting period, usually in the winter, the plant hardly needs any water.