Goji berry / Wolfberry

Plant family

Solanums (Solanaceae)

Season Overview

Details

Light requirement

Sunny

Water requirement

Wet

Soil

Medium (loamy)

Nutrient requirement

Medium

Seeding distance

150 cm

Row spacing

150 cm

Seeding depth

0 cm

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, be sure to put a root barrier of strong pond liner at least 30 centimeters deep, otherwise the buckthorn can spread greatly. The seeds should swell in water at room temperature for 24 hours for better germination. If propagated by cuttings, the first harvest can be expected earlier. In the fall, dead branches can be removed. In the spring of the 2nd year, prune the plant back to 6 main branches for stable growth. The soil may be moist, but the goji berry does not tolerate too much wetness. For fertilizing in the spring is enough a little fresh compost around the root area.