Step-by-Step Growing Guide
Goji berry (Lycium barbarum) grows best in well-drained, loamy to sandy soil with a slightly alkaline pH of 6.5–8.0 — it actually tolerates poor, alkaline soils better than most fruits. Avoid heavy clay that holds water; improve drainage with grit or raised beds. Plant bare-root or potted shrubs in full sun, spacing plants 1.5–2 m apart to allow for their eventual 2–3 m spread. Dig a hole twice the root ball width, backfill with minimal amendment to avoid lush leafy growth at the expense of fruiting. Water deeply but infrequently after establishment — once per week in dry summers is typically sufficient. Feed with a balanced 10-10-10 fertilizer in spring and again in midsummer; high nitrogen encourages leaf growth rather than berries. Prune in late winter to maintain an open, vase-shaped framework and remove crossing or weak canes. Berries appear on second-year wood, so avoid heavy pruning of established laterals.
