Desert Wolfberry Open Pollinated Seeds (Lycium exsertum) Wild native cousin of goji berry; thrives in dry climates and attracts pollinators and birds

Minimum: 10+ Seeds

Desert Superfruit with a Wild Soul – Thrive Where Other Berries Can’t

If you’ve ever dreamed of harvesting nutrient-packed berries in a dry, unforgiving climate, Desert Wolfberry is your plant. This rare native cousin of the goji berry doesn’t just survive drought, it thrives in it, producing soft lavender blooms that beckon bees and hummingbirds, followed by tart-sweet berries beloved by birds and foragers alike. Whether you’re a permaculture enthusiast, desert homesteader, or wild food lover, this resilient shrub offers beauty, bounty, and a deep connection to the land.

Tough Beauty with Tangy Fruit

Native to the arid American Southwest, Lycium exsertum is a woody perennial shrub that grows 3 to 6 feet tall with elegant silvery foliage and purple star-shaped flowers. The blooms appear in spring and continue sporadically through summer, giving way to small red berries with a pleasantly tart, earthy flavor reminiscent of wild cranberries mixed with goji. Fruits ripen gradually, making harvest feel like a treasure hunt over several weeks.

The plant itself is deer-resistant, drought-hardy, and easy to care for once established. It tolerates poor soils, intense sun, and high heat, perfect for xeriscaping, edible hedgerows, and pollinator strips in low-water gardens.

Culinary, Medicinal, and Ecological Gold

• Edible Uses: The berries can be eaten fresh (if you beat the birds to them), dried for tea, or simmered into tangy sauces and medicinal syrups. Traditional foragers have used them for energy, immune health, and eye support.

• Wildlife & Pollinators: Bees and hummingbirds adore the blooms, and birds flock to the ripe fruit, plant it as a living pantry for your local ecosystem.

• Permaculture Potential: Excellent for erosion control, low-maintenance hedgerows, and desert guilds. Its tough root system anchors soil and its open structure offers shelter for wildlife.

• Cultural History: Closely related to the Chinese goji (Lycium barbarum), this North American species has been used by Indigenous peoples for centuries. Unlike commercial goji, Desert Wolfberry is wild-adapted, deeply rooted in place and tradition.

Growing Tips from the Field

• Sunlight: Full sun is a must. Choose the hottest, brightest spot in your garden or food forest.

• Soil: Sandy, rocky, or poor soils are ideal. Avoid rich or heavy clay, this plant thrives on neglect.

• Water: Once established, needs little to no supplemental water. In the first year, water weekly until roots set.

• Spacing: Give each plant 4–6 feet of space to grow outward.

• Germination: Seeds benefit from cold stratification for 30–60 days. Sow in spring, barely covering the seeds with soil. Keep moist but not soggy.

• Zones: Hardy in USDA Zones 7–10. May grow as an annual or potted shrub in colder climates.

Seed Details:

• Open-pollinated

• Hand-packed with care

• Native wild-type genetics

• Harvested from robust desert stock

Bring Wild Resilience to Your Garden

These aren’t just any berry seeds, they’re a bridge to something wilder, hardier, and more enduring. Add Desert Wolfberry to your garden if you want fruit that doesn’t flinch at heat or drought. Whether you're crafting syrups or planting for pollinators, this plant gives back more than it takes.

Stock is limited due to short harvest windows. Order now and get your hands on this high-desert treasure while seeds are fresh and viable.