Hippophae rhamnoides 'Leikora'
fruitSea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides Leikora) is a tough, thorny, deciduous shrub, 6 to 12 ft tall, with narrow, silvery-green leaves and dense clusters of brilliant orange berries that are intensely tart and exceptionally high in vitamin C. It fixes its own nitrogen through root symbiosis, so it thrives in poor soils and even enriches them. The plant is dioecious: Leikora is a heavy-fruiting female, and a male plant must be planted nearby (about one male for every six females) to pollinate it. It is extremely hardy and tolerant of wind, salt, and drought.
Sun
full sun
Water
Every 10 days
Harvest
~3 yrs
to first harvest
Difficulty
medium
Lifecycle
perennial
Comes back every year
Spacing
6-8 ft apart
Planting Depth
Plant at the same depth as the nursery pot; expect it to sucker from the roots
Soil pH
6.0-7.5
Soil Type
Sandy, well-drained
Hardiness Zones
Zones 3 – 8
When to Fertilize
Rarely needs feeding because it fixes its own nitrogen
Fertilizer
Little to none; add compost only if soil is very poor
Plant sea buckthorn in full sun in sandy, well-drained soil; it tolerates poor, lean, salty, and dry ground and needs little feeding because it fixes nitrogen. You must plant a male alongside female Leikora for fruit, as the wind-pollinated flowers need both sexes. It suckers freely from the roots and can spread, so site it where that is acceptable or contain it. Once established after a year or two it is nearly carefree. Pruning helps manage the dense, thorny growth and improve access to the tightly held berries, which are the main harvest challenge.
Direct sow
Apr 15
Projected first harvest
Aug 13 · Year 4
Year 1
Good neighbors that attract beneficial insects or deter pests
Proactive ways to stop trouble before it starts — tap a name with an arrow for its full guide
Cluster on new growth; rinse off and conserve natural enemies
Can infest ripening berries in some regions; harvest promptly and remove fallen fruit
Specific to sea buckthorn shoots; tolerate light levels and conserve predators
Sea buckthorn berries ripen from late summer into autumn and cling tightly in dense clusters along thorny stems, which makes picking slow. Many growers cut whole fruiting branches and freeze them, then knock the frozen berries off cleanly. The very tart, vitamin-rich berries are made into juice, syrup, jam, and sauces rather than eaten fresh.
Sea buckthorn berries are exceptionally high in vitamin C, along with vitamin E, carotenoids, and beneficial oils. Intensely tart, they are processed into juice, syrup, jam, and sauces.
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.
Year 2
Year 3
Year 4