Goji Berry Plants

Goji berries were part of traditional Chinese medicine, but they are now recognized as superfood and occupy top position in the list of healthy foods. Goji berry plants are recognized by various names such as Chinese wolfberry, mede berry, barbary matrimony vine, red medlar, etc. The scientific name of the plant is Lycium barbarum. Goji berries have their origin in the Tibetan Himalayas and hence are popular as Tibetan goji or Himalayan goji. These plants grow well in any kind of soil, hence growing these plants is not a difficult task.

Growing Goji Berry Plants

After knowing the health benefits of these berries, more and more people are planting the plants in their gardens. You can buy the plants online. Various companies provide goji berry seeds and plants along with the information on plants care. The plants can be grown by planting the seeds but it is better to buy the plants than the seeds. If the seeds rot in the compost (as they are likely to) then both your energy and money are wasted. Moreover, you need to keep the seedlings in warm condition for one whole year. So, option of buying seeds is not practical at all. Instead, you may buy young plants.

One year old plants can withstand the winter easily. If not pruned regularly, the thick goji berry bushes can grow up to three meters high. Goji berry vines can grow up to even four meters. You should regularly prune the dead stems and prune the plants, after flowers finish blooming. This encourages healthy new growth. Regular pruning gives them good attractive shape. Regularly pruned small bushes of goji berries, in fact, produce more berries. Those who are fond of gardening know the importance of regular pruning. If you order the plants through internet, don't get disappointed by the looks of the newly arrived plants. Your plants may not have leaves, they may be in the form of bare twigs with hardly some roots on them. Don't worry, just plant them in your garden and water them regularly. You will be able to see small leaves within 15-20 days.

You are supposed to prepare a place of about 50 cm deep and wide, for the goji berry plant to grow well. You may leave one meter's distance between the two consecutive plants if you are planning to plant them in a straight line. Firmly press the soil around the plant. Cover the soil around the plants with leaf mold or garden compost to make the soil rich in nutrients. Water the plants regularly and keep the soil moist. You will be pleased to see white or purple, small and delicate, trumpet-shaped flowers in the bushes, in early summer. Both white and purple flowers can be seen on one plant. Just imagine, how beautiful they will look! It takes two years for the bushes to fruit and about four years to produce berries in abundance. Excessive watering or excessive use of pesticides may hamper the growth of the plants. It is better to use organic manures.

You will be able to see small berries in the bushes in autumn. Fully ripe red and shining berries will completely change the look of the bush. The flowers continue to bloom until killed by frost. Goji berry bushes look very attractive with red shining berries; and white and purple delicate flowers all over the bushes. Goji berry bushes, planted at hedges will give you privacy and will enhance the beauty of your garden. Moreover, within two to four years you will be able to reap delicious and nutritious goji berries in kilos.

Goji Berries Health Benefits

Goji berries are sweet and juicy. Calories in goji berries are considered healthy as they provide a number of vitamins, minerals, calcium, iron, dietary fiber, carbohydrates, etc. Antioxidant properties of goji berries are known for their anti-aging effect. Though you have baskets full of goji berries, you are supposed to consume these berries in limited amount. Excessive consumption of goji berries may lead to minor side effects like upset stomach, nausea and dizziness. The berries, when taken in excessive amounts may interfere with routine medications. Tea prepared from the leaves and root bark of the plant works great for inflammation and certain types of skin disorders.

Plants of goji berries are deciduous, woody perennials. They grow well in hot and dry climate with lots of sun (in zones 4 to 9) but they also grow in humid climates. In zone 1-3, they are grown in greenhouses. There exist about 88 varieties of goji berries but Lycium barbarum is the most popular one as it offers maximum goji berries nutritional benefits. I hope you find the above information helpful. I am sure you will feel proud to have beautiful goji berry plants in your garden.