Goji Berries: Growing Wolfberry and What the Research Shows

Over the past two decades, goji berries have become one of the most famous examples of a so-called superfood: bags of dried goji berries can be found in almost every grocery store, and their saplings are common in nurseries. Fewer people realize that goji berries are the fruit of the wolfberry shrub, a plant that has long been grown in hedges across temperate regions. In this part of the berry guide, we cover how to identify and grow the wolfberry, when goji berries ripen, what the research actually shows, and how to consume them safely.

Latin name	Lycium barbarum
Family	Nightshade (Solanaceae), boxthorn genus (Lycium)
Origin	China; now widespread across Asia and southeastern Europe
Plant	Deciduous shrub, 3–10 ft (1–3 m), arching branches, often thorny
Blooms	June to September (in the Northern Hemisphere), with light pinkish-purple flowers
Berries ripen	August to October
Berries	Elliptical, 0.4–0.8 inches (1–2 cm), bright orange-red, 10–60 seeds
Pollination	Self-fertile

Goji berries are the fruit of the wolfberry, a nightshade family shrub

The wolfberry is a deciduous woody shrub that reaches 3 to 10 feet (1 to 3 m) in height. It features weak, arching branches where the lateral shoots often develop into short, leafless thorns. The leaves are lanceolate and green; solitary leaves grow up to 2.2 inches (55 mm) long, while those growing in clusters reach about 1 inch (25 mm). In the Northern Hemisphere, light pinkish-purple flowers bloom from June to September, appearing in groups of one to four in the leaf axils. These flowers develop into bright orange-red, elliptical berries measuring 0.4 to 0.8 inches (1 to 2 cm) across, each containing 10 to 60 tiny yellowish seeds.

The wolfberry belongs to the same nightshade family as potatoes, tomatoes, and peppers. Goji berries are harvested from two closely related species—Lycium barbarum and Lycium chinense—but in traditional Chinese medicine, the fruits of Lycium barbarum are considered to be of the highest quality. The vast majority of the world's goji berries are cultivated in northern China, particularly in the Ningxia region.

Growing wolfberry in hedges and home gardens

The wolfberry is highly adaptable and very cold-hardy, surviving winter temperatures down to −22°F (−30°C) or USDA zones 3 to 8. It is frequently planted as an ornamental shrub in hedges, around homes, in flower beds, and in public parks, and more recently, it has become popular specifically for its berry harvest.

The plant is self-fertile, meaning a single shrub will set fruit on its own, though insect pollination can improve yields. In the Northern Hemisphere, the berries ripen from August to October, depending on the latitude, elevation, and local climate. In China, the wolfberry is even planted to control soil erosion and reclaim desertifying lands. Because birds eat the berries and spread the seeds, the shrub can easily naturalize and spread into the wild in temperate regions.

Many claims about goji benefits are unsubstantiated—high-quality clinical evidence is lacking

Since around the year 2000, dried goji berries, powders, and juices have become a popular snack and a purported alternative medicine remedy in developed countries. However, this surge in popularity has been accompanied by exaggerated and unsubstantiated health claims. In 2007, a program by the Canadian broadcaster CBC investigated goji juice marketing, which falsely claimed that clinical trials had proven its protective effects against breast cancer.

The actual scientific data is much more modest. A review of several small studies showed that healthy Chinese adults who consumed goji berries, juice, or capsules for 4 to 16 weeks had slightly lower triglyceride levels and higher "good" cholesterol in their blood, but the quality of the evidence was low. Due to the lack of robust clinical evidence and poor quality control of commercial products, goji is not recommended as a medical treatment. The berries are rich in polysaccharides, carotenoids, and other compounds—making them a nutritious food, but not a medicine.

Goji can interact with medications, and pesticide residues are found in commercial products

Laboratory studies indicate that compounds in goji tea can inhibit the metabolism of drugs in the liver—specifically medications broken down by cytochrome P450 enzymes, including the blood thinner warfarin. Therefore, anyone taking warfarin or other regular prescription medications should consult a doctor before consuming large amounts of goji berries or drinking goji tea.

In commercial goji cultivation, pesticides are routinely used to control pests. Because of this, it is highly recommended to buy dried berries from reputable brands and to verify their organic certifications if you want to avoid chemical residues.

Dried goji berries are eaten like raisins, while fresh ones are enjoyed like other garden berries

Most often, goji berries are sold dried. They are frequently compared to raisins and are added to oatmeal, yogurt, cereal bars, baked goods, salads, or tea. Before eating, they can be soaked briefly in water to soften them. Ripe fresh goji berries are soft and spoil quickly, so they are carefully picked or shaken onto trays and dried in the sun or in a dehydrator. In China, the young shoots and leaves of the wolfberry are harvested as a leafy vegetable, while the berries are used in dishes for garnish or added sweetness. If you grow your own, fresh goji berries can be eaten straight from the shrub, frozen, or dried at home. Other garden berries that are exceptionally rich in vitamin C and carotenoids include sea buckthorn and rose hips.

Goji, ground cherry, mulberry, and hardy kiwi: exotic berries for temperate gardens

Goji berries belong to a group of somewhat exotic fruits that can be successfully grown in cool temperate climates. The table below outlines their origins and growing characteristics.

Plant	Origin	Plant type	Growing in temperate climates
Wolfberry (goji)	China	3–10 ft (1–3 m) shrub	Hedges, gardens; self-fertile
Cape gooseberry (ground cherry)	Peru, Chile	Annual (perennial in the tropics)	Grown from seedlings in a greenhouse or warm, sunny spot
White mulberry	China, India	30–65 ft (10–20 m) tree	Best in the warmest, most sheltered locations
Hardy kiwi	Far East, Japan, Korea	Vine up to 100 ft (30 m)	Grown on a trellis; usually requires a male pollinator plant

Goji and ground cherries both belong to the nightshade family: the unripe green fruits and leaves of ground cherries contain solanine, while goji berries can interact with certain medications. Mulberries and hardy kiwis are long-lived woody plants that will produce fruit for many years once established.