Goji Berry

Lycium barbarum

Whilst some may pretend Goji berries are new to the UK (and a secret to the Western world) it is well documented that Goji’s were first introduced to the UK in the 1600’s. – what’s more it is known to be a naturalised specie in the UK, being found in hedgerows in some parts of the Country.

What has only recently been brought to the attention of much the UK populace is the purported wonderfood status of this berry, and to this end below we detail below some of the truly miraculous medicinal benefits of the Goji Berry

Forgetting all the health benefits of Goji's, they are a lovely fruit. Eat them fresh (shake them from the plant to prevent your hands oxidising them and making them go black), or dry them and eat them like sweets or add them to muesli to make your breakfasts power packed. You can even infuse them into a refreshing (and healthy) tea.

Self fertile and hardy to all extremes of climate -15°C - +40°C and drought tolerant as well; is there anything easier to grow? A single plant will produce over 2lbs (1kg) of berries in it second year). Follow our simple guidance on how to grow Goji Berries for complete success.

Please Note
Like everything else, our Goji's are produced here on our nursery in the UK and are therefore exempt from the DEFRA requirement that all Goji's imported from outside Europe are destroyed due to concerns of disease being passed to other plants such as tomatoes and potatoes, full information of which can be found at

http://www.defra.gov.uk/planth/lycium.pdf (we are aware DEFRA are also currently investigating the fact that certain other suppliers have been importing their Goji's from China via Holland - thus securing a false European Plant Passport and we understand prosecutions are likely. Our Goji plants and our production methods were fully inspected and approved by DEFRA as at the 23 April 2008.

Supplied as a pot grown plant grown in a 7cm square pot and standing 6"-8" tall.

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The name ‘Goji’ is fairly new and is based on the Chinese name ‘Gou Qi Zi’ – before this it has been known as The Chinese Wolfberry, The Matrimony Vine, The Chinese Boxthorn, The Red Medlar and even The Duke Of Argyll’s Tea Tree.

How To Grow Goji Berries

Originating from Tibet and Mongolia, these are extremely hardy and can grow to 8ft – 10ft tall. They will grow in most soil types, but will not tolerate wet soggy soils, and prefer a full sun position. If planting more than one allow 6-8ft apart.

Small purple and white trumpet flowers are followed by small oval berries that are red in colour; these can be harvested until the first frosts. It is better to shake the berries from the plant rather than picking by hand as this will cause the fruit to oxidize and become black in colour.

The Health Benefits Of Goji Berries

According to folklore, people living in the Himalayas who eat Goji Berries are reputed to live to between 120 and 150 years old. The famous Li Quing Yuen is said to have lived to over 250 years, and ate Goji berries on a daily basis. We cannot of course promise you such longentivity but… watch this space for far more information!

An ancient account of the wonderful Goji
Amazed at the magic of the Goji her the merchant bowed to the lady with respect and asked, “may I be so bold as to ask what magical herb you posses?”
The lady replied, “ this herb has five names. You want to take a different part of the herb each season…
In Spring you take its leaves, which are known as the Essence Of Heaven.
In Summer you take its flowers, which are known as the Longevity of Life.
In Autumn you take its fruits, which are known as the Chinese Wolfberry.
In Winter you take the bark of its root, which is known as the skin and bone of the Earth, or the Staff of the Almighty Creator.
Taking these four parts in the four Seasons respectively will give you life as lofty as Heaven and Earth."