African Boxthorn Care
Lycium ferocissimum
An extremely hardy, thorny shrub of South African origin. It has high tolerance of full sun, drought and salinity. In many regions of Turkey it is considered an invasive species; its planting and spread must be kept under control.
Monthly care calendar
Timings are for a temperate Northern Hemisphere climate. In warmer areas tasks start earlier, in colder areas later; in the Southern Hemisphere shift them by six months.
- Fertilizing: Not needed; it should not be given.
- Pruning: To control its spread and reduce its size, hard pruning can be done.
- General care: Pull up shoots (suckers) coming from the root.
- Fertilizing: Not needed; it should not be given.
- Pruning: Pruning for control can be continued.
- General care: Check its surroundings to prevent its spread.
- Watering: Water a newly planted specimen more often than established plants during its first year, as its root system is still shallow.
- Fertilizing: Absolutely not needed.
- Pruning: Prune just before the shoots break. Because flowers form on this year's new shoots, hard pruning increases flowering. Before growth starts, remove dead and crossing branches. Use gloves because of its thorny structure. It grows vigorously; regular containment is needed.
- General care: Good time for planting and transplanting.
- Watering: Water a newly planted specimen more often than established plants during its first year, as its root system is still shallow.
- Pruning: Cut fast-growing shoots for control.
- General care: Good time for planting and transplanting.
- Watering: Water a newly planted specimen more often than established plants during its first year, as its root system is still shallow.
- Plant protection: If symptoms spread and treatment is needed, consult a licensed plant-protection supplier or an agronomist. Plant protection products are regulated; follow local rules.
- General care: Suitable period for planting and transplanting. Flowering begins. Drainage is critical for this plant. In heavy, water-retaining soil, plant on a mound or bed raised 20-30 cm; the root collar should remain above the surrounding soil level.
- Pests & diseases: If you see black spots with yellow halos on the leaves (black spot), collect the diseased leaves and remove them from the garden; the disease overwinters in fallen leaves.
- Watering: In a long drought, water deeply once a month.
- Pruning: Cut branches that are growing out of control.
- Plant protection: If symptoms spread and treatment is needed, consult a licensed plant-protection supplier or an agronomist. Plant protection products are regulated; follow local rules.
- General care: Flowering continues.
- Pests & diseases: If you see black spots with yellow halos on the leaves (black spot), collect the diseased leaves and remove them from the garden; the disease overwinters in fallen leaves.
- Watering: In midsummer, deep watering every 15-20 days is enough. Established plants (over 2 years old) do not need watering in most years. Water the area around the roots to a depth of 15-20 cm.
- General care: Flowering continues.
- Watering: In midsummer, deep watering every 15-20 days is enough. Established plants (over 2 years old) do not need watering in most years. Water the area around the roots to a depth of 15-20 cm.
- General care: Flowering continues.
- Watering: In a long drought, water deeply once a month.
- Pruning: Bring the parts that overgrew in summer under control by pruning.
- Plant protection: If symptoms spread and treatment is needed, consult a licensed plant-protection supplier or an agronomist. Plant protection products are regulated; follow local rules.
- General care: Flowering continues.
- Pests & diseases: If you see black spots with yellow halos on the leaves (black spot), collect the diseased leaves and remove them from the garden; the disease overwinters in fallen leaves.
- General care: The plant slows down. Carry out a final check and cleanup before winter.
- Pruning: You can prepare for winter pruning.
- General care: In winter precipitation, make sure water does not collect in the root zone; for this plant, drainage is more critical than watering. Collect fallen leaves; many disease agents and pests overwinter under the leaves.
- Pruning: Not needed. January can be used for the main control pruning.
- General care: It is in full dormancy.
The care advice on this page is general and for information only; it is not professional advice. Plant age, soil and your garden’s microclimate can change the outcome. Plant protection products are mentioned only as general information; they are regulated, and the choice, dose and timing must be decided by a qualified professional under local rules. Consult a landscape architect or agronomist before applying.
Want reminders for every plant in your garden? Our garden-care app with monthly task lists and frost alerts is currently available in Turkish; the English version is on the way.
Browse all plant guides