Goji Berry
Lycium barbarum
fruitGoji Berry (also called wolfberry) is a deciduous Chinese superfruit shrub producing tiny orange-red oval berries packed with carotenoids, vitamin C, and antioxidants. The arching thorny branches reach 3 to 10 ft, with small purple funnel-shaped flowers all summer and a long ripening window from midsummer through frost. Drought-tolerant, cold-hardy to zone 3, and self-pollinating.
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Sun
full sun
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Water
Every 5 days
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Harvest
~18 months
to first harvest
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Difficulty
easy
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Lifecycle
perennial
Comes back every year
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Spacing
3-5 ft in row, 6 ft between rows
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Planting Depth
Same depth as nursery container
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Soil pH
6.5-8.1
Growing Details
Soil Type
Average, well-draining
Hardiness Zones
Zones 3 – 10
When to Fertilize
Light feed in early spring
Fertilizer
Compost; balanced 10-10-10 if growth is weak
🌱 Growing Guide
Plant in full sun on well-drained soil; goji tolerates poor soil and alkaline conditions better than most fruit shrubs. Hardy in zones 3 to 10. Space 3 to 5 ft apart; mature plants reach 6 to 10 ft tall and equally wide. Goji bears in its second year and reaches full production by year 4. Prune in late winter to keep an open vase and remove suckers; otherwise the plant naturalizes and spreads.
Planting Calendar
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Direct sow
Apr 15
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Projected first harvest
Jul 14 · Year 2
JJan
FFeb
MMar
AApr
MMay
JJun
JJul
AAug
SSep
OOct
NNov
DDec
Year 1
✅ Plant alongside
Good neighbors that attract beneficial insects or deter pests
- Lavender: Drought-tolerant partner that attracts pollinators
- Marigolds: Suppress nematodes around the root zone
- Comfrey: Mineral-mining mulch
- Yarrow: Attracts predatory wasps and hoverflies
🛡️ Pest & disease prevention
Proactive ways to stop trouble before it starts. Tap a name with an arrow for its full guide
Blast with water, encourage ladybugs and lacewings
Space for airflow, water at the base, prune dense canopies
Mist foliage in dry weather
Net plants 2 weeks before ripening; the bright orange-red fruit is highly visible
🌾 Harvest & storage
Goji ripens from midsummer through frost, with the heaviest crop in August and September. The best harvest method is to gently shake the branches over a tray or sheet so ripe berries fall on their own; squeezing causes bruising and rapid oxidation. Fresh berries can be eaten out of hand (mildly sweet, slightly bitter), but are most often dried for tea, smoothies, and traditional Chinese tonics. Goji dries beautifully at 135F for 8 to 12 hours.
🥗 Nutrition & benefits
About 349 calories per 100 g dried with 13 g fiber, 48 mg vitamin C, and exceptional levels of vitamin A from beta-carotene and zeaxanthin (a carotenoid associated with eye health). Goji is also rich in iron, antioxidants like polysaccharides studied in traditional Chinese medicine for immune support, and 18 amino acids.
For educational and informational purposes only. HomeSown is not medical, health, or other professional advice. Always positively identify any plant before handling or eating it; some plants, and some parts of otherwise-edible plants, are toxic. Consult a qualified professional before consuming or otherwise using any plant, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a health condition.