Goji berry
Lycium barbarum · Solanaceae
The gardener's calendar
In autumn, ease off feeding and take the chance to clean up around goji berry and prepare for winter.
ID card
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Flowering
- June to September, violet-pink flowers
- Adult size
- 1.5 to 3 m tall, spreading habit
- Growth
- Fast
- Hardiness
- Very hardy, down to -20 °C
- Origin
- Central and East Asia (China, Tibet, Mongolia)
- Soil
- Well-drained, tolerates poor and saline soils
Care
Sunlight and exposure
Plant your goji berry in full sun for optimal fruiting. It tolerates partial shade but will produce fewer berries. Choose a south or south-west facing position in temperate regions.
Watering
Water regularly during the first year to establish the root system. Once established, goji berry is very drought-tolerant and needs little water. Avoid excess moisture which promotes rot.
Soil type
Goji berry adapts to almost any soil, even poor or rocky soil. Prefer well-drained soil to prevent root suffocation in winter. No special amendments are needed.
Pruning and maintenance
Prune lightly in spring to balance the shape and limit spreading. Remove dead or diseased branches. Regular pruning encourages branching and improves berry production.
Fertilization
Undemanding, goji berry doesn't require regular feeding. Add compost in early spring if the soil is very depleted. Avoid excess nitrogen which reduces flowering.
Pests and diseases
Very hardy and resistant, goji berry is rarely troubled by diseases. Watch for powdery mildew in humid conditions. Aphids can sometimes affect young shoots. Good drainage and air circulation are generally enough to prevent problems.
Did you know?
Common goji berry has been cultivated for over 2,000 years in China and Tibet, where its orange-red berries are reputed to be fortifying in traditional medicine. In the West, it was once planted as an ornamental shrub in the 19th century before rediscovering favour with gardeners, who appreciate its extreme hardiness and generous production, even in difficult conditions.
Where to buy it
Best planted in autumn so the roots settle in before summer, or in early spring once the frost has passed. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, October, November.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
- TomatoSolanum lycopersicum
- Sweet pepperCapsicum annuum
- EggplantSolanum melongena
- Cape gooseberryPhysalis peruviana
- Night jessamineCestrum nocturnum
- Potato vineSolanum laxum
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.