How to Grow Goji Berry
Other Fruit
Goji berry is a hardy, scrambling shrub with slender, arching stems, purple flowers and orange-red fruit. It is best grown as a trained garden plant rather than left to sprawl. A warm wall, fence or wire frame gives useful support, keeps growth accessible and helps berries ripen in a British summer.
Planting
Plant container-grown goji berries in spring or autumn, spacing plants about 1.5 m apart. Set at the same depth as in the pot, water thoroughly and mulch with garden compost. Provide a fence, trellis or horizontal wires from the beginning, tying shoots in loosely as they grow. A single plant can crop, but more than one may improve pollination. Keep young plants watered in dry spells and remove shoots that wander beyond their allotted space.
Care & pruning
Train several strong stems into a permanent framework and prune in late winter. Shorten long side shoots to encourage manageable fruiting growth, remove dead or tangled stems, and cut unwanted suckers at their origin. Mulch each spring with garden compost and apply an organic fertiliser only if growth is weak. Water while establishing and during sustained drought, but do not overwater. Tie in new shoots regularly so the shrub does not become an inaccessible tangle.
Harvest
Pick from August to October when fruits are bright orange-red, plump and soft enough to release easily. Berries may ripen gradually, requiring repeated picking. Use scissors for delicate clusters if stems snag, and harvest before fruit becomes overripe or birds discover it.
Common problems
Goji can produce wandering shoots and suckers, so prune and remove unwanted growth regularly. Aphids may colonise soft tips; pinch out lightly affected growth and encourage predators. Poor drainage encourages root problems, while shade reduces ripening. Birds can take coloured fruit, so net a supported framework if necessary. Keep plants open, tied in and free of fallen debris to discourage fungal leaf troubles.
Growing Goji Berry: frequently asked questions
How do I grow goji berry in the UK?
Plant container-grown goji berries in spring or autumn, spacing plants about 1.5 m apart.
How do I care for goji berry?
Train several strong stems into a permanent framework and prune in late winter.
When is goji berry ready to harvest?
Pick from August to October when fruits are bright orange-red, plump and soft enough to release easily.
General guidance for UK gardens and allotments. Timing varies by region and season; the RHS or a local garden centre can advise. Page updated 19 Sep 2026.