Lycium shawii Care
Lycium shawii
A thorny shrub native to the Arabian Peninsula and Northeast Africa, adapted to desert climates. It tolerates intense sun, extreme drought and sandy-gravelly soils. In Turkey it can be considered only in the hottest and driest regions (e.g. rural Şanlıurfa, Mardin) for special xeriscape applications.
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: Remove only dry or damaged branches; if in doubt, do not touch it.
- General care: Make sure drainage is good; waterlogging can be fatal.
- Pests & diseases: To prevent root rot, make sure the soil stays dry.
- Frost risk: If frost is expected, cover with frost fabric; if in a pot, move to a sheltered place. Damaged below approximately -4 °C.
- General care: Preparation for planting (only in suitable climates).
- Frost risk: If frost is expected, cover with frost fabric; if in a pot, move to a sheltered place. Damaged below approximately -4 °C.
- 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.
- General care: Growth starts slowly.
- Frost risk: If frost is expected, cover with frost fabric; if in a pot, move to a sheltered place. Damaged below approximately -4 °C.
- General care: Flowering may begin.
- Pests & diseases: No observation is needed; it is very hardy.
- General care: Main growth and flowering period.
- Watering: In a long drought, water deeply once a month.
- General care: Fruit set may begin.
- 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: It shows full tolerance to the hottest and driest conditions.
- 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.
- Watering: In a long drought, water deeply once a month.
- General care: Growth slows.
- General care: It prepares for winter dormancy.
- Frost risk: From the end of the month, night temperatures may begin to pose a risk.
- General care: Collect fallen leaves; many disease agents and pests overwinter under leaves.
- Frost risk: If frost is expected, cover with frost fabric; if in a pot, move to a sheltered place. Damaged below approximately -4 °C.
- General care: Full dormancy. It must be protected from excess moisture caused by winter rains.
- Frost risk: If frost is expected, cover with frost fabric; if in a pot, move to a sheltered place. Damaged below approximately -4 °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