How to grow goji plants

Goji berries are actually grown on shrubs and they originate from the regions of Tibet, Mongolia and China. They belong to the family of plants known by the botanical name of solonaceae or nightshades. Goji berries are commonly consumed in their dried form, and they look like red raisins. Goji berries have been used for various medicinal purposes for many centuries, mainly for the promotion of longevity, improved circulation, boosted immune functions, strengthening of the legs, improved fertility and sexual functions, better eyesight and the protection of the liver.

Goji berries are an excellent source of zeaxanthin and beta-carotene. These two substances are carotenoids and very potent antioxidants. They may come in very handy when it comes to fighting off the free radicals and reducing the amount and severity of damage they cause within the body. They also prevent the risk of certain medical conditions such as blindness, vision loss and age related macular degeneration. There are a large number of companies which produce goji juice which has become a very popular type of beverage in the past few years.

How to Grow Goji Plants

Even though dried goji berries and goji juice provide the consumer with significant amounts of health benefits, there are still some people who prefer consuming goji berries in their raw, fresh form. The only way to do so is to grow them at home. Goji berries are very tricky when it comes to both growing and harvesting. Another important issue is that they are a rather expensive type of plant to grow. The first step is to obtain some goji seeds from the dried goji berries. One should make sure that he or she picks the variety which fits the personal needs and preferences. Each berry may contain up to three dozen seeds. Goji plants can be planted in pots, both indoors or outdoors.

The best option is to plant those outdoors, directly in the ground. This option may not be preferable if the plants can get exposed to harsh, cold weather during the winter. The location of the plant is also very important because it requires as much sun as possible. The plant also needs to be free from any type of pollution such as water pollution, soil pollution and air pollution. The soil used for the planting needs to include some dark soil as a base and some dirt and natural organic matter. The soil requires proper drainage as well. The seeds need to planted not that deeply and watered properly.