When to Plant Goji Berry in Brisbane, Subtropical Guide
That soil figure is read off our own weather station in South East Queensland at 22:55 yesterday, not a model.
What this month normally looks like in Subtropical
In October the Subtropical zone normally runs 27°C by day and 15°C overnight, with about 77 mm of rain over 7 wet days. The coldest October night on record across the zone was -0.2°C, so a late frost is not out of the question. Averages 1991 to 2026, 33 postcodes, SILO.
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This Goji Berry guide is written for the Subtropical zone, which takes in Brisbane, the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast. Somewhere else? Your postcode picks the right one.
Not your zone? Cairns Sydney Melbourne Canberra Alice Springs Perth
Also handy: will it frost this week? and what grows in shade.
- Planting window
- Jul to Mar
- Days to harvest
- about 104 weeks
- Sun
- Full sun
- Water
- Moderate
- Spacing
- 200 cm apart
- Soil pH
- 6.5–8.0
Goji berry is a deciduous, frost-tolerant, sprawling shrub that grows 1 to 2.5 m high and wide and bears small red berries. Plants usually take 2 to 3 years to fruit and crop best at 3 to 5 years.
Published · By GardenBuddy.au
Planting dates, current conditions and prices on this page update daily.
Planting Calendar for Subtropical
- Jan S/D
- Feb S/D
- Mar S/D
- Apr -
- May -
- Jun -
- Jul S/D
- Aug S/T/D
- Sep S/T/D
- Oct S/T/D
- Nov S/T/D
- Dec S/D
S = Seed Tray T = Transplant D = Direct Sow
Want a nudge when it is sowing time?
One email a week with what is worth planting in the Subtropical zone right now, Goji Berry included, plus which veg has jumped in price at the supermarket. Free, and you can stop it in one click.
How to Grow Goji Berry in Subtropical Australia
- Soil
- Well-draining sandy loam or light soil
- Salt
- Sensitive. Struggles with salty bore water or salty soil. Give it rainwater if you can.
- pH Range
- 6.5-8.0
- Sunlight
- Full sun, at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sun a day
- Spacing
- 200cm apart, 200cm between rows
- Watering
- Water when the soil is dry about 5 cm down, and keep water off the leaves. Daleys rates the water need as moderate.
- Good companions
- Nasturtium, Basil, Chives, Garlic, Comfrey
Subtropical Growing Tips for Goji Berry
Recommended Varieties
- Goji Berry (Lycium barbarum var. goji) (sprawling shrub or vine): Daleys also sells a more vine-like, more heat tolerant form
Key Challenges
- Fruit Fly: Larvae in developing fruit cause rot
- Birds and Possums: Take nearly ripe fruit (GrowVeg, Love The Garden, Qld club)
- Spider Mites: Sap sucking causes leaf discolouration and drop
- Powdery Mildew: Weakens leaves and reduces the crop
Pro Tips
- Top-dress with well-rotted compost or a balanced organic fertiliser in early spring; avoid high-nitrogen fertilisers which reduce fruiting
- Apply a layer of organic straw or wood mulch around the drip line to conserve moisture and keep weeds down
- Stake young plants or train main canes onto a trellis or fence to keep arching fruiting branches elevated
Pests and problems for Goji Berry in Subtropical
Harvesting Goji Berry
When ready: Berries turn fully bright orange-red and pull easily from the stem in late summer and autumn
How to harvest: Pick berries carefully by hand or shake onto a clean sheet to avoid bruising fresh fruit
What members get
- Soil and weather from your nearest station
- An email when it's time to sow
- Your own garden plan, including planning from a photo
- Price history and price alerts
- Pest risk alerts for your area
- Full salt and canning detail
Common Questions About Goji Berry
When do you plant goji berry in Australia?
It depends on your climate zone, not the calendar month alone. Planting months by zone:
- Tropical (Cairns): Feb to Oct
- Subtropical (Brisbane): Jan to Mar, Jul to Dec
- Warm Temperate (Sydney): Jan to Feb, Aug to Dec
- Cool Temperate (Melbourne): Aug to Dec
- Cold / Highland (Canberra): Sep to Dec
- Arid / Semi-Arid (Alice Springs): Jan to Feb, Jul to Dec
- Mediterranean (Perth): Jan to Feb, Aug to Dec
Can you grow goji berry all year round in Brisbane?
No. In the Subtropical zone the planting months are Jan to Mar, Jul to Dec. Outside that window it either bolts, sulks or gets cut down by the weather.
When should I plant Goji Berry in Brisbane?
Plant in early spring in well-drained, raised beds or large pots to ensure good drainage through summer.
What soil temperature do Goji Berry need?
Goji Berry germinate best when soil temperature is between 20°C and 25°C.
How do I know when Goji Berry are ready to harvest?
Berries turn fully bright orange-red and pull easily from the stem in late summer and autumn
What are the best Goji Berry varieties for Brisbane?
Recommended varieties for the Subtropical zone include: Goji Berry (Lycium barbarum var. goji) (sprawling shrub or vine): Daleys also sells a more vine-like, more heat tolerant form.
What grows well with Goji Berry?
Good companion plants for Goji Berry include: Nasturtium, Basil, Chives, Garlic, Comfrey.
Are goji berry salt tolerant?
No. Goji berry are salt-sensitive, one of the more sensitive veggies. Use rainwater if your bore water is salty, or grow them in a raised bed of fresh mix if your soil is.
Which zone am I in?
Type your postcode into the box near the top of the page and it tells you, and links this crop in your own zone if it differs. Or look it up on the grow zone map. This page is the Subtropical zone, Brisbane is its reference city.