Plant library · Berries & Small Fruits
Lycium barbarum
Goji Berry is a perennial, thorny shrub with a loose, vine-like habit that can reach about 8 feet tall and 6 feet wide. Its late-spring-to-early-fall bloom period and summer-to-fall berry harvest give it a long presence in an edible border. Use it where its spreading stems and mature bulk can be contained rather than squeezed between closely managed plants.
Place Goji Berry along a sunny fence, wall, or other sturdy edge where long stems can be guided upward and kept out of circulation. Supporting or staking the plant keeps fruiting growth easier to reach and helps prevent thorny stems from spilling into a path. Give the planting a dedicated strip at the back or outer edge of a food garden, with a clear working side for pruning and picking.[1][2]
Set plants 5 feet apart, center to center. That interval is slightly tighter than the plant’s 6-foot mature width, so expect neighboring specimens to form a continuous, interlacing row rather than remain isolated mounds. Keep paths, gates, and frequently used bed edges beyond the reach of arching stems, and allow room to work around the plant without brushing against thorns.
Reserve a full-sun position for the strongest flowering and fruiting display. Once established, Goji Berry suits a lower-water planting area, but it benefits from dependable watering while its root system is becoming established. Use a site with good drainage and avoid locations that stay wet or soggy, especially where runoff collects beside paving or structures.[1][2][3]
Small flowers appear from late spring into early fall, followed by berries through summer and fall. The long overlap of flowers and ripening fruit means the plant needs access over an extended picking season rather than a single harvest visit. Plan pruning and tying-in before the main growing season so wandering shoots do not complicate picking later.[2]
This shrub can spread aggressively, including through suckers and seed in some settings. Keep it out of narrow mixed borders and away from places where new shoots would be difficult to notice or remove. A defined bed edge, a support line, and open soil around the base make its footprint easier to monitor and keep its thorny growth from advancing into neighboring planting space.[1][2]
Editorial content updated 2026-07-20.