Goji Berries Planting Guide
Your April guide to goji berries
Some notes on goji berries care that hold up no matter where you garden — then check your zone for specifics.
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How to water goji berries
Mulch heavily around goji berries to hold soil moisture without watering more often.
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Where to put goji berries
South-facing beds are ideal for goji berries. Shade from nearby trees or fences costs real production.
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Check your local forecast before planting
Your zone determines the exact week to plant goji berries. Pick your county below and we'll line everything up against your frost dates.
Goji berries are a deciduous shrub producing small, bright red berries valued as a superfood. The plants are extremely hardy and drought-tolerant once established.
Lycium barbarum · Fruit · Solanaceae family · 730–1095 days to maturity
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Where Can You Grow Goji Berries?
Goji Berries Growing Regions
Click any state to see the Goji Berries planting schedule for that location.
Planting Dates by Zone
| Zone | Start Indoors | Direct Sow | Transplant | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 3a | — | — | Jun 12 | — |
| Zone 3b | — | — | Jun 7 | — |
| Zone 4a | — | — | Jun 3 | — |
| Zone 4b | — | — | May 29 | — |
| Zone 5a | — | — | May 16 | — |
| Zone 5b | — | — | May 9 | — |
| Zone 6a | — | — | May 1 | — |
| Zone 6b | — | — | Apr 24 | — |
| Zone 7a | — | — | Apr 15 | — |
| Zone 7b | — | — | Apr 8 | — |
| Zone 8a | — | — | Mar 29 | — |
| Zone 8b | — | — | Mar 18 | — |
| Zone 9a | — | — | Feb 24 | — |
| Zone 9b | — | — | Feb 8 | — |
| Zone 10a | — | — | Jan 15 | — |
| Zone 10b | — | — | Jan 15 | — |
Why are some columns showing "—"?
Start Indoors shows "—" because Goji Berries is typically direct sown outdoors rather than started indoors. It germinates quickly and doesn't transplant well.
Direct Sow shows "—" because Goji Berries benefits from being started indoors first, then transplanted after the last frost.
How to Plant Goji Berries
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
Low — drought tolerant
Drought tolerant — water only when soil is dry 2" deep.
🧪 Soil pH
6.5 – 8
Tolerates slightly alkaline soil. Add sulfur if pH is too high.
🗺️ Hardiness Zones
Zone 3a – 10b
📅 Days to Maturity
730–1095 days
Long-season crop. Start indoors in cold climates to get a head start.
👪 Plant Family
Solanaceae
Rotate with other families yearly to prevent soil-borne diseases. Don't plant in the same spot where Solanaceae family crops grew last year.
How Much Goji Berries to Grow
Goji Berries takes 730–1095 days to mature. In most zones you'll get one harvest per season, so plant enough to last.
Companion Planting for Goji Berries
✅ Good Companions
Check more combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Growing Tips for Goji Berries
Plant in well-drained soil in full sun. Prune annually to manage the arching, somewhat wild growth habit. Berries ripen over an extended period in summer and fall. Can be trellised.
Saving Goji Berries Seeds
Recommended for Your Garden
Sharp bypass pruners for clean cuts on fruit trees, berry bushes, and woody herbs.
Start seeds indoors with reusable cell trays and humidity domes.
Test your soil pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium levels before planting.
Seed Saving & Storage Guide
Most saved seeds go bad before next season. This shows exactly when to pick, how to dry, and where to store seeds from 200 plants so yours don't.
- 200 plants, step-by-step: life cycle, pollination type, isolation
- Exact temperature + humidity ranges that keep seeds viable
- Bonus: searchable Google Sheets tracker + custom GPT assistant
Goji Berries by State
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to grow Goji Berries?
Goji Berries (Lycium barbarum) takes 730 to 1095 days from planting to harvest. Exact timing depends on your variety, growing conditions, and USDA zone.
What zones can Goji Berries grow in?
Goji Berries can be grown in USDA zones 3a through 10b. Use the planting calendar above to find the exact dates for your zone.
How much sun does Goji Berries need?
Growing Goji Berries requires Full Sun (6-8+ hours), Low — drought tolerant, and soil pH of 6.5 to 8.