Black Goji Berries with Goji Berry Tea on a white background.
Black Goji Berry (Black Wolfberry) growing in the garden.
Black Goji Berry (Black Wolfberry) dried on a wooden plate with a cup of Goji berry tea in the background.
Black Goji Berry (Black Wolfberry) dried on a plate with a cup of Goji berry tea in the background.
Black Goji Berries with Goji Berry Tea on a white background.
Black Goji Berry (Black Wolfberry) growing in the garden.
Black Goji Berry (Black Wolfberry) dried on a wooden plate with a cup of Goji berry tea in the background.
Black Goji Berry (Black Wolfberry) dried on a plate with a cup of Goji berry tea in the background.

Goji Berry Seeds,
Black (Wolfberry)

2.622 ReviewsSKU: #GR159Min. seed count: 40
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Description

(Black Wolfberry) This spectacular superfood is native throughout Central Asia. The black goji berry is very rarely found in Western cuisine but has long been celebrated in the Himalayan region as a powerful medicinal and health food. The black goji is known to be more healthful and potent than the more widely known red goji, and we find the flavor sweeter. The tasty, inky black berries are high in antioxidants and are said to boost the immune system and improve circulation. The potent berries create an outstanding blue color when steeped or added to foods. These tasty berries are quickly becoming a popular fruit added to smoothies and brewed into tea. The dried berries are great in granola and muffins or snacked on alone; you can also eat the berries fresh from the plant. Steep the berries into a beautiful blue tea; adding a few drops of lemon will turn the tea a lovely purple/pink color. Gardeners will be pleased to know this exciting berry is highly prolific and easy to grow! Plants thrive in zones 5-10. It grows as a shrub reaching 4 to 6 feet in height, and the plants are self fertile. The fruit ripens from summer through early fall.

Growing Tips: Soak seeds in warm (70-85 F) water for 24 hours before planting. Add sand to potting mix. Goji prefers an alkaline soil and perfers to stay fairly dry, but tolerates most soils.

Plant Details

Botanical Name
Lycium ruthenicum
Life Cycle
Perennial
Sun Requirement
6–12 hr.
Days to Germinate
14–21
Planting Depth
¼ in.
Plant Spacing
36 in.
Ideal Temperature
70–85°F
Frost Hardy
Yes

When to Grow

Black Goji is a zone 5-10 perennial shrub that reaches 4 to 6 feet, so give it a permanent spot in full sun and space the shrubs about 36 inches apart. It is started indoors in trays rather than sown in place: soak the seed overnight in warm water at 70-85 F, then sow 1/4 inch deep, 2-3 seeds per pot, in a very fine potting mix with sand added, keeping it moist until the seedlings emerge in roughly 14-21 days. Separate the seedlings when the first true leaves show and transplant out after all chance of frost has passed. The fruit ripens from summer through early fall.

How to Sow and Plant

  • Start seeds indoors in trays, then transplant out.
  • To aid germination, soak seeds overnight in warm water (70 to 85 F).
  • Plant in a very fine potting mix that includes sand, and keep soil moist until seeds sprout.
  • Sow seeds 1/4 inch deep, about 2-3 seeds per pot and separate when first true leaves have appeared.
  • Transplant out after all chance of frost has passed.

How to Grow

  • Provide full sun. First-year plants should be kept well watered, but once established, goji berry shrubs can be quite drought tolerant.
  • Goji prefers an alkaline soil that is fairly dry, but will tolerate most soils.
  • The plants will grow into a shrub and should be spaced about 4-6 feet apart.

PESTS/SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS

  • Powdery mildew can be an issue if the plants have poor air circulation. This can be prevented by adequately spacing the plants to ensure good air flow. Do not crowd plants!
  • Consider covering plants in bird netting if birds or squirrels are eating your berries.

How to Save Seeds

  • Self pollinating.
  • Save seeds by allowing berries to dry on plants before picking them.
  • You can dry the berries whole for seed saving, or crush the berries and spread the seeds out to dry.
  • Spread berries or seeds on a paper towel and allow to further dry for a few days in a dry location out of direct sunlight.
  • Store seeds in a cool, dark, dry place.

FAQ

Do I need to plant more than one Black Goji for fruit?

No. The plants are self fertile, so a single shrub will set fruit on its own.

How large does the Black Goji shrub get, and where will it grow?

It grows as a shrub reaching 4 to 6 feet in height and thrives in zones 5-10. Goji prefers an alkaline soil that stays fairly dry but tolerates most soils, and first-year plants should be kept well watered, while established shrubs can be quite drought tolerant.

What do you do with the black goji berries?

The inky black berries can be eaten fresh from the plant, dried for granola and muffins, snacked on alone, or added to smoothies. Steeped into tea they create an outstanding blue color, and a few drops of lemon turn the tea a lovely purple-pink.
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