🍊 Sea Buckthorn: Growing Guide
Sea Buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides) grows best in full sun with little water, and does well at −30 to 40 °C (−22 to 104 °F) in soil with a pH of 6.0–8.5. Space plants about 300 cm (118 in) apart. Expect 365+ days (a perennial — it takes more than a season).
Quick facts
| Scientific name | Hippophae rhamnoides |
|---|---|
| Category | Bush Fruits |
| Sunlight | Full sun |
| Watering | Low |
| Plant spacing | 300 cm (118 in) |
| Soil pH | 6.0–8.5 |
| Comfortable temperature | −30 to 40 °C (−22 to 104 °F) |
| Time to maturity | 365+ days (a perennial — it takes more than a season) |
| Sowing depth | 5 cm (2 in) |
| Height | 200–600 cm (79–236 in) |
When to sow, plant and harvest
The calendar below shows the best months in each climate zone. Pick the zone closest to your garden.
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mediterranean | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | |||||||||
| Continental | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | |||||||||
| Oceanic | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | |||||||||
| Cold / Northern | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | |||||||||
| Arid / Semi-arid | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest |
- Mediterranean (Greece, Spain, Italy, coastal Turkey): Plant out: Mar · Harvest: Jul–Aug.
- Continental (Central/Northern Europe, inland Balkans): Plant out: Apr · Harvest: Jul–Aug.
- Oceanic (UK, France, Belgium, Netherlands, NW Europe): Plant out: Mar · Harvest: Jun–Jul.
- Cold / Northern (Scandinavia, Canada, Russia, Alpine): Plant out: Apr · Harvest: Jul–Aug.
- Arid / Semi-arid (Arabian Peninsula, inland Australia): Plant out: Feb · Harvest: Jun–Jul.
Watering
Water about every 5 days in summer and about every 14 days in winter. Drought tolerant.
Growing tips
Orange berries. About 10× the vitamin C of an orange! Fixes nitrogen. Drought tolerant. Needs 2 plants (male and female).
Good companion plants
These plants grow well alongside it:
Frequently asked questions
Sea Buckthorn: when should I sow and plant it?
Mediterranean (Greece, Spain, Italy, coastal Turkey): Plant out: Mar · Harvest: Jul–Aug. Continental (Central/Northern Europe, inland Balkans): Plant out: Apr · Harvest: Jul–Aug. Oceanic (UK, France, Belgium, Netherlands, NW Europe): Plant out: Mar · Harvest: Jun–Jul.
Sea Buckthorn: how often should I water it?
Water about every 5 days in summer and about every 14 days in winter. Drought tolerant.
Sea Buckthorn: how far apart should I plant it?
Plant about 300 cm (118 in) apart and sow at a depth of about 5 cm (2 in).
Sea Buckthorn: how long does it take to grow?
Plan on 365+ days (a perennial — it takes more than a season).
Sea Buckthorn: which plants grow well with it?
Nitrogen-fixing plants.
Plan your garden
Add Sea Buckthorn to your garden design in the free GardenXPro planner: drag plants onto a 2D plan, preview it in 3D, check companions and get watering reminders.
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