October 10, 2024, 11:37 am | Read time: 5 minutes

Goji berries don’t have to travel far to end up as a superfood in our muesli. The deciduous shrub can also be grown in the garden. However, the plant is not entirely trouble-free.

The goji berry, scientifically known as Lycium barbarum and commonly referred to as common buckthorn, is a member of the nightshade family originating from China.

Appearance and growth

This deciduous shrub can reach a height of two to four meters. Its slightly spiny shoots hang in an arch. Purple flowers appear from June to August, and the orange-red fruits, which are up to two centimeters long, develop from them.

Most goji berries form root runners. For this reason, the Goji berry bush should either be planted well away from other plants or be limited by a root barrier.

Please note: If you want to plant goji berries, you should be aware that they are considered a potentially invasive species that harms nature by threatening biodiversity.

Planting goji berries

The best time to plant goji berries is mid-May. Adding a little compost or slow-release fertilizer to the planting hole makes it easier for the plant to grow. They should also be watered thoroughly. To encourage branching, cut the shoots back to 20 centimeters.

Location and soil

The common buckthorn grows best in a sunny location. The plant is undemanding when it comes to soil. As long as the soil is well-drained, the shrub can cope with almost anything, including dry and light sandy soils. The shrubs can also grow in containers, provided these are large enough.

Varieties

• The ‘L22’ variety is known for its robustness and high yield, producing large, sweet, and aromatic orange-red berries.
• The ‘Turgidus’ variety is also hardy, large-fruited and sweet.
• ‘Sweet Success’ has few thorns, high yields, and very sweet orange-red fruits.
• ‘Sweet Amber’ has amber-colored, sweet fruits about two centimeters in size.

Goji berry care

Goji berries are relatively low-maintenance plants. Find out below what you need to do to ensure that the shrub thrives as well as possible.

Watering

If the shrubs are well established, they can cope well with drought. The situation is different with freshly planted goji berries. They need to be supplied with water regularly in their first year.

Fertilization

If a portion of mature compost or slow-release organic fertilizer is spread around the plants in spring, this is sufficient. The goji berry does not need more fertilizer.

Pruning

From the second year onwards, the shrub should be thinned out annually to five to six strong shoots. The oldest shoots are removed. The best time for pruning is after the harvest in the fall.

Propagation

The easiest way to propagate goji berries is by cuttings or root suckers in the fall. If you are not looking for a quick harvest, you can also propagate the plant by sowing seeds. However, it will then take three to five years before the first harvest.

Repotting

If the plant grows in a container, it should be repotted in fresh soil every two to three years.

Overwintering

Goji berries are hardy and do not require winter protection.

Toxicity

The common buckthorn is considered non-toxic. However, because the fruits have a blood-thinning effect, people taking blood-thinning medication should avoid eating the berries. In addition, some people are allergic to the fruit.

Alternatives

The common barberry (Berberis vulgaris) also bears red, edible fruit. The shrub grows up to three meters high and is particularly suitable as a hedge plant. Another alternative is the oleaster willows. The coral willow and the many-flowered willow are particularly suitable as wild fruit suppliers.

Bee friendliness

Bees, bumblebees, and other insects like to fly to the flowers of the common buckthorn. Birds eat the fruits.

Diseases and pests

The most common disease that the common buckthorn has to contend with is mildew. It can be prevented by good aeration through regular pruning. The cherry vinegar fly is one pest known to attack the plant. A net can help to protect the fruit.

Harvest

Plants usually bear their first fruit in their second or third year. The fruits ripen gradually between August and October.

More on the topic

Soft fruit Planting and caring for blackcurrants in the garden

Intense spice Planting and caring for Thai basil correctly

Delicate summer flowers with bright colors Planting and care tips for cosmos

Use in the kitchen

Goji berries can also be eaten raw. However, as their tart and sour taste is not to everyone’s taste, they are usually dried. Drying the fruit not only extends its shelf life but also enhances its sweetness. In terms of taste, dried goji berries are somewhere between cherries, cranberries, and prunes. Dried berries can be used for tea, muesli, quark and salad.