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Goji Berry (Wolfberry)

Lycium barbarum

An ancient superfruit gaining popularity among health-conscious gardeners for its exceptional nutritional value and antioxidant content. This hardy shrub produces bright red berries with a sweet-tart flavor reminiscent of cranberries. Once established, goji berries are extremely drought-tolerant and can produce for decades.

Harvest

120-150d

Days to harvest

📅

Sun

Full sun

☀️

Zones

3–10

USDA hardiness

🗺️

Difficulty

Easy

🌱

Planting Timeline

Zone:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Transplant

Harvest

Transplant

Harvest

Showing dates for Goji Berry (Wolfberry) in USDA Zone 7

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Zone Map

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Goji Berry (Wolfberry) · Zones 3–10

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy

Spacing4-6 feet

SoilWell-drained soil, tolerates poor soils

pH6.5-8.0

WaterModerate, drought tolerant once established

SeasonLate summer harvest, perennial shrub

FlavorSweet-tart with notes of tomato and cranberry

ColorBright orange-red when ripe

SizeSmall oval berries, 0.5-0.75 inches

Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar

Zone	Indoor Start	Transplant	Direct Sow	Harvest
Zone 3	—	June – August	—	September – September
Zone 4	—	June – July	—	September – September
Zone 5	—	May – July	—	August – October
Zone 6	—	May – July	—	August – October
Zone 7	—	May – June	—	July – October
Zone 8	—	April – June	—	July – November
Zone 9	—	March – May	—	June – December
Zone 10	—	March – April	—	May – December

Complete Growing Guide

Light: Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day). Drainage: Good Drainage. Propagation: Layering, Seed, Stem Cutting. Regions: Coastal, Piedmont.

Harvesting

A berry, red to purple or yellow

Color: Gold/Yellow, Purple/Lavender, Red/Burgundy. Type: Berry. Length: < 1 inch. Width: < 1 inch.

Garden value: Edible

Harvest time: Summer

Edibility: EDIBLE PARTS: Berries edible raw, cooked, or dried

Storage & Preservation

Fresh goji berries are highly perishable and should be used within 2-3 days when stored in the refrigerator at 32-35°F. For longer storage, spread berries in a single layer on dehydrator trays and dry at 135°F for 10-16 hours until they're leathery but still pliable – this is how most commercial goji berries are preserved. Properly dried berries will keep for up to a year in airtight containers.

Freezing is another excellent option: wash and dry berries thoroughly, then freeze on baking sheets before transferring to freezer bags. Frozen berries work perfectly in smoothies and maintain their nutritional value for up to 18 months. You can also make goji berry juice by blending fresh berries with a small amount of water, then straining and freezing the juice in ice cube trays for convenient portions.

History & Origin

Origin: Temporate and subtropical regions of the world

Advantages

+Edible: EDIBLE PARTS: Berries edible raw, cooked, or dried

Considerations

-Toxic (Leaves): Low severity

Companion Plants

Lavender, rosemary, and yarrow are the companions worth planting close to goji. All three are low-water, full-sun plants that share goji's preference for lean, well-drained soil — no resource competition, and their flowers bring in parasitic wasps and predatory beetles that put a ceiling on aphid and spider mite pressure without any intervention from you. Marigolds (Tagetes spp.) add another layer: their root secretions suppress soil nematodes in the top 6–12 inches, right where goji's feeder roots are most active.

Black walnut is a hard no. Juglone — the allelopathic compound that leaches from walnut roots, hulls, and leaf litter — is toxic to a wide range of woody plants, and Lycium barbarum is not an exception. Fennel is a subtler problem: its root exudates suppress nearby plants, and it tends to concentrate beneficial insects around itself rather than sharing them with neighbors. Give both a wide berth, 50 feet minimum if your site allows.

Plant Together

Lavender

Attracts beneficial insects and repels pests like moths and aphids

Marigold

Deters nematodes and aphids while attracting pollinators

Chives

Repels aphids and improves soil health with sulfur compounds

Comfrey

Deep roots bring nutrients to surface, excellent mulch and compost material

Rosemary

Repels various pests and attracts beneficial insects

Nasturtium

Acts as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles

Yarrow

Attracts beneficial insects and improves soil health

Borage

Attracts pollinators and beneficial insects, improves soil minerals

Keep Apart

Black Walnut

Produces juglone which is toxic to many plants including goji berries

Fennel

Inhibits growth of most garden plants through allelopathy

Pine Trees

Create acidic soil conditions that goji berries cannot tolerate

Nutrition Facts

Calories

32kcal(2%)

Protein

0.67g(1%)

Fiber

2g(7%)

Carbs

7.68g(3%)

Fat

0.3g(0%)

Vitamin C

58.8mg(65%)

Vitamin A

1mcg(0%)

Vitamin K

2.2mcg(2%)

Iron

0.41mg(2%)

Calcium

16mg(1%)

Potassium

153mg(3%)

Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #167762)

Pests & Disease Resistance

Resistance

Excellent disease resistance, very hardy

Common Pests

Aphids, spider mites (rarely problematic)

Diseases

Root rot in poorly drained soil

Troubleshooting Goji Berry (Wolfberry)

What you'll see, why it happens, and what to do about it.

Leaves curling inward, sticky residue on stems, tiny clustered insects visible on new growth

Likely Causes

Aphid infestation (commonly Myzus persicae or similar generalist species) — they target soft new growth, especially in spring flush
Over-fertilizing with nitrogen, which produces the lush, tender growth aphids prefer

What to Do

1.Knock aphids off with a strong spray of water — do this in the morning so foliage dries before evening
2.If the population persists after a few days, apply insecticidal soap directly to affected stems and leaf undersides
3.Back off any nitrogen-heavy fertilizer; goji doesn't need much feeding once established

Stems wilting at the base, roots appearing brown and mushy when you pull the plant

Likely Causes

Phytophthora or Pythium root rot — both thrive when soil stays waterlogged for more than a day or two
Planting in heavy clay without amendment, or in a low spot that collects runoff

What to Do

1.If caught early, cut back watering immediately and top-dress around the root zone with coarse sand or grit to improve drainage
2.Dig the plant, trim any visibly rotted roots back to healthy tissue, dust cuts with powdered sulfur, and replant in a raised bed or mounded row
3.Goji tolerates a soil pH up to 8.0 and does best in well-drained, even lean soil — don't coddle it with rich, moisture-retentive mixes

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do goji berries take to grow from seed?▼

Goji berries grown from seed typically take 2-3 years to produce their first significant harvest. Seeds germinate in 2-4 weeks under optimal conditions, but purchasing nursery plants saves you a full growing season and ensures variety authenticity, as seed-grown plants may not produce fruit identical to the parent plant.

Can you grow goji berries in containers?▼

Yes, goji berries adapt well to large containers (minimum 20 gallons) with excellent drainage. Choose dwarf varieties for containers and provide sturdy support as plants can reach 4-6 feet in pots. Container plants require more frequent watering but allow you to grow goji berries in zones outside their normal hardiness range by moving them indoors during extreme weather.

What do fresh goji berries taste like?▼

Fresh goji berries have a unique sweet-tart flavor with subtle notes of tomato, cranberry, and a slight herbal undertone. The taste is much milder and juicier than dried goji berries, which concentrate the flavors and become chewier. Many people describe the fresh berry flavor as a cross between a cherry tomato and a tart cherry.

When should I plant goji berry bushes?▼

Plant goji berry bushes in early spring after the last frost date, typically March through May depending on your location. Fall planting works in zones 7-9, giving roots time to establish before winter. In colder zones, stick to spring planting to avoid winter damage to newly transplanted roots.

Are goji berries good for beginner gardeners?▼

Yes, goji berries are excellent for beginners due to their exceptional drought tolerance, natural pest resistance, and ability to thrive in poor soils. Once established, they're virtually maintenance-free. The main challenge is patience, as significant fruit production doesn't begin until the second or third year after planting.

Do goji berry plants spread and become invasive?▼

Goji berry plants can spread through underground suckers and may become aggressive in ideal growing conditions. Install root barriers or plant in containers if space is limited. Regular pruning of suckers and choosing grafted varieties can help control spreading. They're not considered invasive in most regions but require management in small gardens.