Wolfberry
Lycium fremontii
A Sonoran Desert native shrub with lavender summer blooms that attract butterflies and hummingbirds.
Hardy in USDA zones 8-11; a low-desert native adapted to grow in the cool season and rest in summer, tolerant of frost and extreme heat alike.
AMWUA Notes
A reverse-seasonal native that blooms and fruits in cool months and goes summer-dormant; a top wildlife and bird-berry plant needing little water.
Care Guide
Water deeply every 1-2 weeks during its cool-season growth; it is drought-deciduous and naturally goes dormant and leafless through the hot, dry summer.
Prune to shape and remove dead wood in summer dormancy; the somewhat thorny branches make a thicket, so wear gloves and prune only to control size.
No fertilizer needed in native soil.
Pest-free and valued instead as important bird and pollinator habitat.
Reverse-seasonal: it leafs out and blooms lavender in the cool months, sets translucent red berries that feed birds, then drops its leaves and rests through summer heat.
Soil, Feeding & Propagation
Adaptable to rocky, sandy, or clay soils; tolerates saline, caliche, and alkaline pH above 8.
Needs well-drained soil.
None — thrives in lean desert soil without fertilizer.
From seed or semi-hardwood cuttings.
5-6 ft
Spreading, suckering roots form thickets but pose no foundation risk.
Placement Tips
- •A 6 ft thicket-former; space 5-6 ft apart in a wildlife or native hedgerow.
- •Plant it where its summer bare-and-dormant look is buffered by evergreen neighbors.
- •Its wildlife berries and cool-season bloom suit naturalistic bird gardens over formal beds.
- •Full sun; site away from primary pool and patio focal points given summer dormancy.
Features
Best Uses
Ecological Value
Attracts
Wildlife Value
Companion Plants
Quick Stats
Design Styles
Include in Your Project
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Use this care guide to maintain your Wolfberry. Questions about your landscape? Reach out anytime.
Data from 2024 AMWUA “Landscape Plants for the Arizona Desert” guide.
Wolfberry — common questions
Answers for low-desert Phoenix conditions, drawn from this plant’s growing data.
How much water does Wolfberry need in Phoenix?
Wolfberry is a low-water shrub once established. Water deeply every 1-2 weeks during its cool-season growth; it is drought-deciduous and naturally goes dormant and leafless through the hot, dry summer. A reverse-seasonal native that blooms and fruits in cool months and goes summer-dormant; a top wildlife and bird-berry plant needing little water.
How big does Wolfberry get?
Expect roughly 6 ft tall and 6 ft wide at maturity, with a moderate growth rate. Allow about 5-6 ft of spacing when planting. Spreading, suckering roots form thickets but pose no foundation risk.
Can you plant Wolfberry near a pool?
Yes. Wolfberry is considered pool-friendly, meaning it stays clean enough around water features and hardscape. Litter is rated low.
Can Wolfberry handle Arizona heat and winter frost?
Wolfberry is hardy in USDA 9-11 and wants full sun. Hardy in USDA zones 8-11; a low-desert native adapted to grow in the cool season and rest in summer, tolerant of frost and extreme heat alike. Reverse-seasonal: it leafs out and blooms lavender in the cool months, sets translucent red berries that feed birds, then drops its leaves and rests through summer heat.
Does Wolfberry have thorns?
No. Wolfberry is thornless, so it is safe alongside walkways, patios and play areas.
Is Wolfberry safe around pets?
Wolfberry is listed as pet-friendly in this guide. If your dog is a determined chewer, check any new plant with your vet before planting.
When does Wolfberry bloom in Arizona?
Wolfberry blooms in summer-fall, with lavender flowers. The bloom draws butterflies, hummingbirds.
How much maintenance does Wolfberry need?
Wolfberry is low-maintenance. Leaf, flower and pod litter is rated low. Prune to shape and remove dead wood in summer dormancy; the somewhat thorny branches make a thicket, so wear gloves and prune only to control size.
What kind of soil does Wolfberry need?
Adaptable to rocky, sandy, or clay soils; tolerates saline, caliche, and alkaline pH above 8. It needs no supplemental feeding. No fertilizer needed in native soil.
Is Wolfberry native to Arizona?
Yes. Wolfberry is native to Arizona and to the Mohave and Sonoran Deserts, so it is adapted to local rainfall, soil and heat.