How to Grow Goji Berries In Your Garden

Goji berries

Summary

Goji (Lycium barbarum L.) is native to tropical or warm regions of mainland East and Southeast Asia and South Africa. Other common names are wolfberry, matrimony vine, and boxthorn. Plant growth habit varies significantly among cultivars, ranging from viney to erect. Spines are present on most cultivars but vary in size and number. When pruned, plants are typically 3 to 6 feet tall but if left without cultivation they can reach 12 feet. Solitary, purple blossoms form in the late spring (although some species have greenish or cream flowers) and are followed by small orange to red fruit about 4 to 6 weeks later. Plants are self fruitful and do not require cross-pollination. 

In some areas, they are considered a weed due to their tendency to sucker and spread by seed. Goji are recommended for zones 4 to 7. 

Goji is in the same family as tomato (Solanaceae) and some cultural and nutritional needs are similar.

Recommended Goji Berry Cultivars

Although plants can readily be propagated from seeds, using a named cultivar will ensure you are planting a high-quality and productive plant. In China, where goji is most widely produced, Lycium barbarum L. var. barbarum is commonly planted. Goji is a new crop in American markets, so cultivar selection is still limited. 'Crimson Star' (also known as Ningxia #1) and 'Phoenix Tears,' are available. Both begin bearing 1 to 2 years after planting, although they will not reach full production for 3 to 5 years. ‘Wolfberry Agrodevco’ is another cultivar, but it has limited availability. Many nurseries do not list specific cultivars of goji, but rather list them simply as Lycium barbarum.

How to Grow Goji Berries

Goji plant in bloom
Goji plant in bloom

Site Selection

Plant goji in a location with full sun (although some shade can be tolerated). Plants can handle relatively harsh conditions and are a good choice for locations that may not work well for other, more traditional, fruits. Fruit quality is best during hot, dry conditions and diminishes if weather is cool and humid.

Soil

Natively, goji grow in slightly alkaline soil (pH of 7 to 8) so many Utah soils support plant growth well. They do not grow well in acidic soils. Goji plants tolerate a wide range of soil types but prefer a light loam. Although goji can be grown in clay soil, they do not do well if roots are consistently wet, and care should be taken when irrigating on heavy soils to avoid waterlogging. 

Plant Material

Due to the newness of goji as a crop in the U.S., it may be difficult to find at local nurseries. Ordering online may be the best option
for purchasing plants. Visit Cornell University’s Nursery Guide (http://www.fruit.cornell.edu/berry/nurseries/index.html) for a list of reputable nurseries selling goji plants. Plant in the spring into a hole two-times wider than the roots to encourage easy root spreading. Applying organic mulch around the base will help moderate root temperatures and minimize weeds. 

Spacing

In a home garden, goji can be tucked into many areas of the landscape, provided they are not too shaded. However, make sure there is enough room in all directions for the plant to reach full size and to allow for easy harvest (about 4 to 5 feet in all directions). If establishing multiple rows, leave 2 to 4 feet between plants within a row and 6 to 8 feet between rows. 

Irrigation

Although fairly drought-tolerant once established, more frequent irrigation is needed to establish the roots of new transplants. Irrigation needs vary depending on soil type and time of year. Sandy soils need to be watered more frequently than clay soils as they drain quickly. In general, apply approximately 1 inch of water per week.

Plants can be watered by surface flooding, microsprinklers or drip irrigation. Drip irrigation is the most efficient method and helps keep weed and disease pressure low. If drip irrigation is not available, a deep soak with the hose at the base of the plant works well. Fruit are prone to blossom end rot, a localized calcium deficiency that results from lack of irrigation or extreme wet/dry cycles. "

Fertilizer

Too much fertility results in excess vegetation, shading, and reduced fruit quality. There are no specific fertilizer recommendations for goji in our region; however, some growers amend the soil based on recommendations for tomato production. Remember that annual crops, such as tomato, typically require more fertilizer than perennial crops and that applying fertilizer based on tomato recommendations may only be appropriate during plant establishment. Goji fertilizer recommendations for other areas in the U.S. are 4 to 5 tablespoons of 16-16-16 per 10 square feet per year. Reduce this rate in fertile soils to avoid overfertilizing. Split total fertilizer amount into three applications for the year: at budbreak, flowering, and as the fruit begins to ripen. There is some evidence suggesting that goji perform very well without any fertilizer at all.

Pruning

Ripe berries
Ripe gojiberries on plant

Fruits form on current year’s wood and pruning encourages new growth, increasing yields. Pruning is also important to keep the plant open to allow for good light penetration and air circulation. Typically, no pruning is required in the first year. However, increased pruning in subsequent years is needed to maintain vigorous new growth.

During the dormant season, begin pruning by removing any weak, damaged or crossing branches. Next, shorten lateral branches by cutting back from the tip by 6 to 18 inches. Limit plant height to keep harvesting manageable. During the early summer, pinch off the top 2 to 3 inches of terminal growth. This practice, commonly referred to as tipping, encourages canes to produce more lateral branches which produce more fruit than branches that grow straight up.

After about 3 years (sometimes less) the plant usually begins to sucker, sending up additional new  shoots from the root system. If left unchecked, the plant can become very unmanageable. Dig up the shoots and either discard or transplant them. 

Problems with Growing Goji Berries

Heavy goji berry yield
Heavy goji berries yield at a commercial orchard,
grown through black plastic mulch to control weeds. 

Weeds

A heavy mulch around each plant will help reduce weeds. Keeping weeds clear around the plant minimizes competition and improves goji performance. A spring application of pre-emergent herbicide will greatly reduce annual weeds. Using landscape fabric or a heavy plastic can be very effective and will minimize suckering.

Insects and Diseases

Since goji is still a fairly new crop, pest information is limited. The only pest reported on goji in Utah is the goji gall mite (see table below). Potato leafhopper, thrips, aphids and spider mites have been reported as pests of goji in other states and should be watched for during routine scouting.

Always refer to product labels, and follow all directions specified on the label, before applying any pest control product. 

Problem Identification Control
Goji gall mite (Aceria kuko) Extremely small, difficult to see with
naked eye. Pale salmon and wormlike
mites with six to seven generations per
year. Small bead-like galls form on
leaves. They are yellow/green on the
bottom and reddish on top. Each gall
holds large numbers of mites.
Sulfur, insecticidal soap, or horticultural oil (0.5%
solution) can be used to control. None of these should
be used when temperatures will be above 90 °F within
4 hours of spraying. A spray application of 2%
horticultural oil, either in the fall (just before leaves
drop) or in the spring (just as leaves emerge) will be
most effective. Keep alternative hosts such as pepper,
eggplant, and black nightshade, clear from the area.
Powdery mildew (Sphaerotheca) Fungal disease that forms white patches
of powder on leaves and stems.
Prune to improve air circulation and minimize wet
foliage. Horticultural oils can help prevent further
spreading once present in field.
Blossom end rot Calcium deficiency related abiotic
disorder resulting in a water-soaked
spot on the end of fruit. 
Control by careful irrigation to minimize extreme
fluctuations in soil moisture (particularly during bloom
and fruit sizing). 
Galls on a goji leaf
Galls on a goji leaf caised by a goji gall mite. Photo courtesy of
Ryan Davis, Utah State University.

Goji Berry Plant Productivity

Goji plants will begin producing fruit when plants are 2 years old. Maximum production will not be reached until 3 to 5 years after planting. Depending on variety, expect to harvest 2 to 6 pounds per plant. Goji berries are sought after for their health benefits. They can be dried, juiced, frozen or eaten fresh. Possibly the most common way to consume goji berries is as a dried fruit, similar to a raisin, and they can be eaten alone or used in baking. They can be dried by laying the fruit out on drying trays in the sun, or in a food dehydrator (set the temperature to 105 °F) for about 3 days. Steam juicing works well, and another option is to soak dried berries in water overnight and then strain out the berries to obtain the nutrient-rich juice. Berries can be frozen and thaw well, maintaining their color and flavor. Fresh eating is possible, but many people do not like the texture of the berry and prefer to consume the berries once processed. Once harvested, the fruit will store for approximately 2 weeks in the refrigerator.

How to Harvest and Use Goji Berries

Harvest goji berries when they reach full color (approximately 35 days after full bloom). Unlike some berries that can be shaken or beaten from the plants by mechanical harvesters, goji fruit must be picked by hand as the fruit do not easily separate from the stem, and bruised berries will turn black. Also, the plants continuously produce new blossoms, so that fruit are ripening over a long period of time. They will fruit from mid-summer to late fall. When picking, pull the berries slightly to the side instead of straight up to reduce the amount of stem that comes off with the berry.

Leaves can also be harvested throughout the year to consume fresh or dried. They can be used to make tea or powdered and used as a nutritional supplement.

Sources

Published October 2015
Utah State University Extension
Peer-reviewed fact sheet

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Authors

Tiffany Maughan, Research Associate; Brent Black, Extension Fruit Specialist

Brent Black

Brent Black

Fruit Specialist

Plants, Soils and Climate

Phone: (435) 797-2174
Office Location: AGRS 330 / USU Campus

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