Lycium acutifolium, the Soft Leaved Box Thorn, is a spiny shrub native to southern Africa, characterized by its ovate to lanceolate leaves and small, purple flowers.
At-a-glance light, water, soil, and growing conditions from plant data
Full Sun
100% intensity
Prefers at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily for best flowering and fruiting.
Moderate
50% intensity
Allow soil to dry slightly between waterings; reduce in winter.
Well-drained
50% intensity
Moderate
50% intensity
Prefers temperate conditions; can tolerate some frost once mature. Protect from extreme cold.
Outdoor
50% intensity
Low
25% intensity
Feed sparingly with a balanced fertilizer during the growing season.
Safety information from plant toxicity data
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Toxic for humans | No 0/5 intensity |
| Toxic for pets | No 0/5 intensity |
| Edible | No |
None
Key traits and growing stats from plant data
Watering, pruning, propagation, and repotting details from plant data
Water Lycium acutifolium regularly during the growing season, allowing the soil to dry slightly between waterings. Reduce watering significantly in winter, especially if grown in cooler conditions.
Ensure good drainage to prevent waterlogging, which can lead to root rot.
Prune Lycium acutifolium in late winter or early spring before new growth begins. Remove dead, damaged, or crossing branches.
Pruning can also be done to maintain desired shape and size, encouraging bushier growth and more abundant flowering. Light shaping can be done after flowering.
Propagate Lycium acutifolium by taking semi-hardwood cuttings in summer or hardwood cuttings in autumn or winter. Root cuttings in a well-draining medium. Seeds can also be sown in spring, but germination may be erratic.
Soft Leaved Box Thorn is also readily propagated by layering.
Repot Lycium acutifolium every 2-3 years, or when it becomes root-bound. This is best done in early spring before new growth commences. Use a well-draining potting mix.
Trim back some of the root system if it has become dense to encourage fresh root growth.
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Monthly activity intensity for bloom and fruit across both hemispheres.
Flowering & fruiting calendar
Flowering & fruiting calendar
Photos of Soft Leaved Box Thorn (Lycium acutifolium)
Common names and botanical synonyms
Botanical classification
| Rank | Name |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Division | Tracheophyta |
| Class | Magnoliopsida |
| Order | Solanales |
| Family | Solanaceae |
| Genus | Lycium |
| Species | Lycium acutifolium |
Similar in genus Lycium
Answers based on plant encyclopedia data
