How to Grow Goji Berries at Home for an Abundant Supply of Fresh Superfruits

Goji berries, or Lycium barbarum, are a popular superfruit known for providing nutrients that may support eye health and healthy aging, among other benefits. “The claims aren't exaggerated,” says Tony O'Neill, founder and gardening expert at Simplify Gardening. “They are high in antioxidants, zeaxanthin, and vitamin C." But perhaps even more intriguing is that you don't have to spend a small fortune on these powerful berries—you can grow them right at home, and with relative ease. "They produce heavily for years with very little input once established," O'Neill adds.

They're quite tasty too. Here, our experts break down how to grow these nutrient-rich fruits at home.

Best Varieties for Home Gardens

For home gardens, O’Neill recommends the Crimson Star and Sweet Lifeberry varieties. “They are reliable producers, don't get too large, and are available everywhere,” he says. “Phoenix Tears is also worth knowing about if you don’t have a lot of space.”

Most varieties do best in USDA zones 5 through 9. However, some varieties can handle zone 3, “but growth slows right down,” he says.

Best Time to Plant

O’Neill recommends skipping the seed route, as it’s not very practical. “You're looking at years before it will bear fruit,” he says. “Instead, buy an established plant from a reputable garden center.”

Plant in the spring—after all danger of frost has passed—in soil that drains well. “Leave about 3 to 5 feet between each one,” says Tammy Sons, owner of TN Nursery. “They do best in a sunny position, and the hole you dig should be twice the width of the roots.” 

Gently loosen the roots, fill the hole with the earth from your garden, and then water generously. “Goji berries are prolific spreaders,” O’Neill says. "It's worth keeping an eye on them.”

Related Stories

How to Grow Dragon Fruit for Delicious Harvests and Beautiful Flowers

How to Grow Delicious Blueberries You Can Harvest Year After Year

Care Requirements

You’ll want to give your goji berry plants a deep watering for the first season. After that, they are pretty drought-tolerant. Other best care practices include:

• Sunlight: While goji produce best in full sun, partial shade is acceptable. 
• Soil: Goji can tolerate a wide variety of soil types, but they thrive in less acidic, loamier soil.
• Fertilization: Although they might perform well without fertilizer, you might consider a schedule similar to tomatoes, since goji come from the same family. 
• Pruning: “Pruning is one of the biggest jobs when it comes to these plants,” O’Neill says. “They get leggy fast, and a leggy goji doesn't produce very well. Cut back hard in late winter before the new growth.”

Harvesting and Propagating

To propagate goji berries, you should take softwood cuttings in summer. “Use a rooting hormone, and keep them in humid conditions until established,” O’Neill says. “It is much better to have two or more, as it increases production.”

However, you only need one plant to get fruit, and it should give you a decent crop of berries after that. “It will be the third year before you get anything worth mentioning,” O’Neill says. “Harvest when the color turns a deep red, and they are slightly soft to the touch. Shake the branch over a tray rather than picking individually—it's much faster, and they bruise less.”

After harvesting, goji berries can be eaten fresh, dried, frozen, or blended into smoothies, teas, and baked goods. Drying or dehydrating the berries is especially popular because it intensifies their sweet-tart flavor and extends their shelf life, making them perfect for snacking, adding to cereal, or rehydrating for later use.