We developed microsatellite markers in Lycium ruthenicum, a desert plant widely distributed in northwestern China. In order to investigate its population genetic structure, genetic diversity, and its evolutionary history, we have isolated 11 novel microsatellite loci primers and characterized them in 24 individuals from 3 populations of L. ruthenicum using the combined biotin capture technique. For these microsatellites, one to seven alleles per locus were identified. The observed heterozygosities ranged from 0 to 0.958, meanwhile the expected heterozygosities ranged from 0 to 0.841. These microsatellite markers could be first useful for population level studies like genetic diversity and structure in this species.