Black Goji Berry Care
Lycium ruthenicum
An extremely hardy shrub of Central Asian origin. It likes full sun and well-drained, poor, salty-alkaline soil. It is grown for its black fruit, known for its valuable antioxidant content.
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.
- Pruning: The best time to increase yield. Remove the previous year's old, weak and inward-growing branches.
- General care: Hardwood cuttings can be taken for propagation.
- Pests & diseases: Trunk check for overwintering pests.
- Frost risk: It is very hardy (down to -25°C); no protection is needed.
- Pruning: Finish pruning by the end of the month.
- General care: Site preparation for planting can be carried out.
- Watering: As the soil warms, if necessary (if there is no rain), 5-10 L/m².
- Fertilizing: Organic compost or a slow-release, balanced NPK (e.g. 10-10-10), applied to the soil, 20-30 g/root, do not overapply.
- Pruning: Prune just before the shoots break. Because flowers form on this year's new shoots, hard pruning increases flowering.
- General care: Plant new seedlings, clear weeds.
- Pests & diseases: Check the waking buds for aphids.
- Frost risk: It is very resistant to late frosts.
- Watering: 10 L/m² once a week, especially at the start of flowering.
- Plant protection: If aphids (Aphidoidea) are seen, apply neem oil at the label dose.
- General care: Hoeing and mulching can be done.
- Pests & diseases: Check the new shoots for aphids.
- Watering: 10-15 L/m² once a week. Important for flowering and fruit set.
- Plant protection: Be prepared for powdery mildew (Erysiphales); if you see white powdery coating, apply a sulfur-based fungicide.
- General care: Keep watering regular.
- Pests & diseases: Watch for powdery mildew and aphids.
- Watering: In a long drought, water deeply once a month.
- Plant protection: If needed, continue as in previous months.
- General care: The fruits begin to form.
- Pests & diseases: In hot and dry weather, check for spider mites (Tetranychidae).
- 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: Fruit harvest begins. Fruits are picked when they turn dark.
- Pests & diseases: Netting protection may be needed against birds that eat the fruits.
- 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: Fruit harvest continues.
- Pests & diseases: Watch for bird damage and fruit insects.
- Watering: In a long drought, water deeply once a month.
- Pruning: After harvest, only shoots that have grown too long can be shortened.
- General care: Final harvests are made. You can try propagation by semi-hardwood cuttings.
- Pests & diseases: Check the general health of the plant.
- Watering: Not needed; rainfall is usually sufficient.
- General care: Leaf fall begins. Keep the root zone clean.
- Pruning: Not needed. The plant enters dormancy.
- General care: Collect fallen leaves; many disease agents and pests overwinter under leaves.
- Pruning: Not needed. Wait until January for the main pruning.
- General care: Full dormancy period.
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.
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