Garden Care Guide

Lycium schweinfurthii Care

Lycium schweinfurthii

A thorny shrub native to the Mediterranean and Aegean coasts, extremely tolerant of salt and drought. It loves full sun and sandy, well-drained soils. It is used especially in coastal landscaping, for erosion control and as a natural hedge.

Half-hardy · -10 °C / 14 °F

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.

January
  • Watering: Not required; winter rains are sufficient.
  • Fertilizing: Not needed; it should not be given.
  • Pruning: This is the best time to shape it or control its size.
  • General care: Hardwood cuttings can be taken for propagation.
  • Frost risk: In hard and prolonged frosts, cover the root zone with mulch or dry leaves; also protect young plants. It is damaged below about -10 °C.
February
  • Pruning: Complete pruning by the end of the month.
  • General care: If needed, this is one of the best months for planting (in coastal regions).
  • Frost risk: In hard and prolonged frosts, cover the root zone with mulch or dry leaves; also protect young plants. It is damaged below about -10 °C.
March
  • Watering: Water a newly planted specimen more often than established plants during its first year, as its root system is still shallow.
  • Fertilizing: It must absolutely not be given.
  • 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.
  • Pests & diseases: Check whether there are aphids on the new shoots; it is generally resistant.
  • Frost risk: The risk of late frost is very low on the coasts.
April
  • Watering: Water a newly planted specimen more often than established plants during its first year, as its root system is still shallow.
  • Plant protection: Not needed; it is very resistant.
  • General care: Suitable period for planting and transplanting. Flowering begins.
May
  • 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 continues. 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.
June
  • Watering: In a long drought, water deeply once a month.
  • 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.
July
  • 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: This is the period when the plant is most tolerant of extreme heat and drought.
August
  • 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: The fruits ripen.
September
  • Watering: In a long drought, water deeply once a month.
  • 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: New shoots may be seen with the autumn rains.
  • 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.
October
  • Watering: Not needed; the rainfall begins.
  • General care: A suitable time to plant new seedlings in coastal regions.
November
  • Pruning: Not needed. The plant enters dormancy.
  • 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.
  • Frost risk: The risk is low in coastal regions.
December
  • Pruning: Not needed. Wait until January for pruning.
  • General care: Full dormancy period.
  • Frost risk: In hard and prolonged frosts, cover the root zone with mulch or dry leaves; also protect young plants. It is damaged below about -10 °C.

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