How to Grow Goji Berry
Lycium barbarum
Goji berry is a vigorous, hardy shrub that produces small red superfruit berries from August to October. It grows in most soils and tolerates poor ground, but fruits best in full sun with reasonable drainage. Train on a post-and-wire system for easier picking and better air circulation. Prune side shoots back to two or three buds in late winter and remove weak or dead growth. Be prepared to manage its vigour — it suckers freely and can become invasive if left unchecked.
Yearly Lifecycle
Care Essentials
Spring with a balanced fertiliser. Mulch with compost.
Watch For
- Generally pest-free
- Occasional aphids
- Powdery mildew
Companions
Comfrey, Marigolds, Borage
Track your Goji Berry care schedule — pruning, feeding, and seasonal tasks
Start planning freeCare Requirements
☀️ Light
Full sun for best fruiting
Full sun for the best fruit production. Tolerates partial shade but cropping will be significantly reduced.
💧 Watering
Water to establish; irrigate when fruiting
Water regularly during the first year. Established plants are drought-tolerant but benefit from watering during fruit development.
🌱 Fertilizing
Balanced spring feed and compost mulch
Apply a balanced fertiliser in spring and mulch with compost. Avoid excessive nitrogen which promotes leafy growth over fruit.
✂️ Pruning
Spur-prune in late winter; control suckers
In late winter, cut side shoots back to two or three buds and remove dead, weak, or crossing growth. Control suckers by pulling or digging out unwanted ones regularly.
🌿 Support
Train on post-and-wire for easy picking
Train on a simple post-and-wire system like a grape vine. This keeps fruit off the ground, improves air circulation, and makes picking much easier.
🍎 Harvesting
Pick bright red berries August to October
Pick berries when bright red and slightly soft, from August to October. Eat fresh or dry on trays for long-term storage.
Growing Tips
Train on a support
Train on a simple post-and-wire system like a grape vine. This keeps fruit off the ground and makes picking much easier.
Harvest when bright red
Pick berries when bright red and slightly soft, from August onwards. Eat fresh or dry on trays for long-term storage.
Control the suckers
Goji suckers freely from the roots. Pull or dig out unwanted suckers regularly to keep the plant contained.
Spur-prune in late winter
In late winter, cut side shoots back to two or three buds and remove any dead, weak, or crossing growth.
Pests & Diseases
Pest Aphids
Identification: Clusters of green or black insects on shoot tips; curled and distorted young leaves; sticky honeydew
- Blast off with a strong jet of water
- Spray with dilute soft-soap solution
- Encourage ladybirds and hoverflies
- Contact pyrethrin spray — avoid spraying near harvest
Pest Goji Gall Mite
Identification: Distorted, blistered, or thickened leaves; small galls on foliage
- Remove and destroy affected shoots promptly
- Improve air circulation by thinning congested growth
- No specific miticides approved for home use; cultural controls are the main approach
Pest Birds
Identification: Pecked or missing berries; partially eaten fruit on the bush
- Net the plant with fine bird netting as berries begin to colour
- Use reflective bird-scare tape
- No chemical controls — physical exclusion only
Disease Powdery Mildew
Symptoms: White powdery coating on leaves and shoot tips; affected leaves may curl and yellow
Treatment: Remove badly affected growth; improve air circulation by pruning and spacing
Prevention: Avoid overcrowding; water at the base; ensure good airflow around the plant
Disease Root Rot Phytophthora spp.
Symptoms: Yellowing leaves, poor growth, and wilting despite adequate watering; roots dark and mushy when examined
Treatment: Improve drainage; remove and destroy severely affected plants
Prevention: Plant in well-drained soil; avoid waterlogging; do not overwater
Spacing & Planting
| Plant spacing | 135 cm |
| Row spacing | 210 cm |
| Mature height | 200 cm |
| Mature spread | 150 cm |
Also called wolfberry. Continuous flowering and fruiting from late spring to frost. Can be trellised.
Log Goji Berry in your garden — track growth, care, and harvests year after year
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