Goji berry (Lycium barbarum)
Care, watering, light and tips for Goji berry on Floravia.
Quick facts
- Family: Solanaceae
- Difficulty: Easy to care for
- Watering: every 3 days
- Light: Full sun
- Temperature: 10–35 °C
About Goji berry
Lycium barbarum, commonly known as Goji or Chinese Wolfberry, is a deciduous shrub from the Solanaceae family, prized for its small, bright red berries. It features slightly thorny stems and grayish-green lanceolate leaves. It's ideal for orchards, garden borders, or even as an edible hedge, providing a rustic and nutritious touch.
Native range
East Asia, especially China
Care tips
It requires full sun for optimal fruiting and prefers well-drained soils, even poor or slightly alkaline ones. Watering should be moderate, allowing the substrate to dry out between waterings, and it's drought-tolerant once established. Avoid waterlogging, as it is prone to root rot in excessively wet conditions. Prune in winter to maintain its shape and encourage berry production.
How to save a dying Goji berry
- Warning signs
- Yellow or dropping leaves, soft stems, small or withered fruits, stunted growth.
- First aid
- Check drainage and soil moisture. Prune dry branches. Protect from strong winds and frost.
- What kills it
- Overwatering (root rot), lack of direct sunlight, poor or badly drained soil.
- Can it be saved?
- Yes, if you act fast. Needs sun, good drainage, and moderate watering. It's resilient!