closeup of goji berries

How to prune a goji berry shrub

The goji berry shrub (Lycium barbarum) is a hardy, deciduous plant tolerant of harsh conditions. Hailed as a ‘superfood’, the nutritious berries can be eaten fresh, dried, or cooked in preserves. Like honeyberries, gojis fruit on old wood. Here’s how to prune your goji berry shrub for maximum harvests.

Browse our full range of goji berry shrubs to find the best variety for your garden.

When to prune your goji berries

Potted goji berry from Thompson & Morgan

Young plants require little pruning, and in time will produce wonderful fruit
Image: Thompson & Morgan

The best time to prune your goji is spring. Wait until the buds begin to break, as it will be easier to see where any stems have died back over winter. 

As your plant grows, you’ll get the best results by training it against a wall, fence, trellis or obelisk. Simply tie in the loose stems to secure. 

How to prune your goji berries

Goji Berry 'Sweet Lifeberry' from Thompson & Morgan

These low-maintenance shrubs are ideal for coastal areas
Image: Goji Berry 'Sweet Lifeberry' Thompson & Morgan

  • Young goji berry shrubs need only light pruning each spring to remove any dead and damaged wood and reduce the stems to the space available.
  • Gojis fruit on last year's wood, but removing a few of the oldest stems each year will help to keep the plant rejuvenated.
  • Well-established gojis, and those that have outgrown their space, will tolerate harder pruning. If you reduce the plant to a low framework in early spring it should grow back vigorously, although that year's crop will be reduced or perhaps even sacrificed entirely.
Sophie Essex

Written by: Sophie Essex, garden writer

Sophie Essex is a freelance garden writer with a passion for horticulture and environmental conservation. With a BSc in Botany/Plant Biology from the University of Plymouth, she further honed her expertise through a Masters of Science in Biodiversity and Taxonomy of Plants from The University of Edinburgh. Sophie has also worked as a professional gardener and landscaper, showcasing her practical skills by transforming outdoor spaces. Her commitment to fieldwork is further evident in her acquisition of a Certificate in Field Botany from the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, and over the years, she has interned at the Eden Project, Cornwall, the National Trust for Scotland and the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh.

Banner image: Jiang Zhongyan/ Shutterstock

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