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Lycium spp.

boxthorns

Solanaceae

Warm-temperate and subtropical worldwide; chiefly South America and southern Africa

Attracts Pollinators Drought Tolerant

Native to North America

SunFull Sun

WaterLow · drought-tolerant

HardinessZones 5–9

Overview

Lycium spp. is a genus of about 90 species of spiny shrubs in the nightshade family (Solanaceae), found in warm-temperate and subtropical regions worldwide, with many species in dry and coastal habitats of the Americas, southern Africa, and Eurasia. Plants form arching or scrambling shrubs 3–13 feet (1–4 m) tall, with slender branches that often end in stiff spines. The leaves are small, narrow, and sometimes slightly fleshy, an adaptation to dry and salty ground. Funnel-shaped flowers, 0.2–0.8 inch (5–20 mm) long, are purple, lavender, or white and are followed by small berries that ripen red or orange. Two species, L. barbarum and L. chinense, are grown for these berries, sold as goji berries. The genus tolerates drought, salt spray, and poor soil, which suits it to coastal and desert planting but also lets some species, such as the African boxthorn L. ferocissimum, spread as invasive weeds outside their native range. Most species are deciduous in cold climates. Plants grow in full sun and well-drained soil and form dense, thorny thickets that are used for hedging and erosion control.

Native Range

Lycium spp. occurs across the warm-temperate and subtropical world, with centres of diversity in South America and southern Africa and additional species in North America and Eurasia. Plants grow in deserts, scrub, salt flats, and coastal dunes.

Suggested Uses

Lycium spp. is planted as a thorny hedge, windbreak, and erosion-control shrub on dry and coastal sites. The goji species L. barbarum and L. chinense are grown in gardens and on a field scale for their edible berries. The dense, spiny growth is used as a barrier and as cover and food for birds.

How to Identify

Identify Lycium spp. by its arching, spiny branches, small narrow leaves, and funnel-shaped purple to white flowers borne singly or in small clusters. The flowers give way to bright red or orange berries. The combination of thorns, simple leaves, and nightshade-type flowers separates it from similar dryland shrubs.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height3' - 13'

Width/Spread3' - 13'

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

Spring Summer

Most species flower from late spring through summer, with the small funnel flowers opening over a long period along the branches. Bees are the main pollinators. Berries follow and ripen red or orange, sometimes while later flowers are still opening.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Purple, lavender, or white

Foliage Description

Green to grey-green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun

Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 8.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam sand clay

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Grow Lycium spp. in full sun in well-drained soil, including dry, sandy, and saline ground that defeats many shrubs. Plants need little water once established and withstand drought, wind, and coastal salt spray. Most temperate species are hardy in USDA zones 5 to 9 and lose their leaves in winter. Light pruning shapes the shrub and keeps the thorny growth dense for hedging. Because some species spread readily by seed and sucker, they can become invasive, so spent berries are removed where that is a concern. The spines make all pruning and harvesting awkward, and plants sucker from the roots if disturbed.

Pruning

Lycium spp. is pruned in late winter to shape the shrub and remove crowded or dead branches. Plants grown for hedging are clipped after flowering to keep them dense. Suckers and self-sown seedlings are removed to limit unwanted spread.