Goji berry / Wolfberry

Plant family

Solanums (Solanaceae)

Season Overview

Details

Light requirement

Sunny

Water requirement

Moist

Soil

Medium (loamy)

Nutrient requirement

Medium

Plant distance

150 cm

Row spacing

150 cm

Seeding depth

0Not specified

Instructions

Description

The goji berry is a deciduous shrub that can grow up to 3 m high. Its cane-shaped branches hang down like arches. There are some fine thorns on the branches. The plant is frost-hardy up to -30 °C, but the autumn planting should be protected in the first winter. In China it is also called the berry of happiness. There it is a traditional part of Chinese medicine. It is said that it stimulates well-being in many ways. It contains vitamin C, amino acids, minerals and some trace elements.

Growing tips

The best time for planting is spring from mid-May (after the last frost). If you want to plant the shrub in the garden, it is essential to use a root barrier of strong pond liner at least 30 centimetres deep, as otherwise the buckthorn can spread rapidly. For better germination, the seeds should soak in water at room temperature for 24 hours. When propagating by cuttings, the first harvest can be expected earlier. Dead branches can be removed in the fall. In spring of the 2nd year, the plant is pruned back to 6 main branches in order to achieve stable growth. The soil may be moist, but the goji berry cannot tolerate too much moisture. A little fresh compost around the root area is sufficient for fertilizing in spring.