Goji Berries - Planting and Care Guide
Once established, Goji berries (Lycium barbarum) are incredibly easy to grow. They'll grow in almost any type of soil and can even thrive in poor soil as they are used to the mountainous regions in the Himalayas. They are reasonably drought-tolerant, and will even grow in partial shade – but you will get more berries if you grow them in the sun
Growing
When the plants first arrive, they will be in 2 Litre pots and established plants. Dig a hole deep enough to accommodate the Goji berry and as wide, place the Goji plant in, firm the soil around the plant and water well. Leave about 1 metre between plants and mulch the area around the stems with leaf mould or garden compost to keep the soil moist and well nourished. You can even grow the bushes into a Goji berry hedge, simply plant them 1 metre apart in a straight line. Goji plants can survive winters down to –15 degrees Fahrenheit and hot summers above 100 degrees. The Goji Berry grows as a thick bush reaching 8-10 feet tall with vines. Pruning is recommended for better fruit production and manageability.
Flowers
After one year the bushes will start to fruit, and from three years you'll start to get very heavy yields. In early summer this beautiful plant is covered with small trumpet shaped flowers. Both purple and white blossoms are on the same Goji plant. Goji berry plants add colour to any landscape with their delicate flowers. The berries will begin to set in autumn. The ripe fruit are sweet and juicy and almost shiny in appearance. The flowers will continue to bloom right up until the first frosts, so your plants will be red, white and purple throughout late summer and autumn.
Yields
Goji Berry plants begin to fruit when they are 2 years old. Heavy yields can be expected from Goji plants that are 4-5 years old
Grown As House Plants
The Goji Berry can be grown indoors if given enough light, or strong artificial, full spectrum light or they can sit by a window that gets direct sunlight for at least 8 hours every day. It is best to grow the Goji plants outside as they do much better. They are a fantastically beautiful plant to have in your garden, delicious, nutritious, and cheap and easy to grow. If you want health-boosting berries on tap, you should consider investing in a Goji berry bush or two.
