Blueberry Vaccinium corymbosum
Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum) is a deciduous perennial fruit plant in the Ericaceae family. It grows 1.2–2 m (3.9–6.6 ft) tall and 1–1.6 m (3.3–5.2 ft) wide, wants full sun and moderate water, and is hardy to about -25 °C (-13 °F). Space plants about 1.5 m (4.9 ft) apart.
Plan Blueberry in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Blueberry at a glance
| Type | Perennial fruit plant, deciduous |
|---|---|
| Family | Ericaceae |
| Mature height | 1.2–2 m (3.9–6.6 ft) |
| Mature spread | 1–1.6 m (3.3–5.2 ft) |
| Spacing | 1.5 m (4.9 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance low |
| Cold hardiness | About -25 °C (-13 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 5) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 32 °C (90 °F) |
| Flowering | from about April for 2–4 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Yes: fruit |
| Common in gardens of | 🇺🇸 United States, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇳🇴 Norway, 🇷🇺 Russia, 🇯🇵 Japan, 🇦🇺 Australia, 🇨🇱 Chile, 🇨🇦 Canada |
Is Blueberry toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Blueberries are non-toxic to people, cats and dogs.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Blueberry
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and moderate water.
Keep apart or take care
- avoid With Black walnut: Black walnut releases juglone from roots, leaves and hulls, which is documented to injure or kill this sensitive species. Evidence B
- caution With Mountain laurel: Mountain laurel and rhododendrons are hosts of Phytophthora ramorum (sudden oak death), which spreads from infected foliage between neighbouring plants. Evidence B
- caution With English lavender: Acid-loving plants need pH 4.5–5.5, lavender prefers neutral to alkaline soil; one bed cannot suit both. Evidence B
See Blueberry in a botanical garden
It grows in this sample garden, which you can walk through in 3D:
- Jardin botanique de Montréal (10 plants)
Questions about Blueberry
- How far apart should I plant Blueberry?
- About 1.5 m (4.9 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 1–1.6 m (3.3–5.2 ft).
- Does Blueberry need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Blueberry need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance low.
- How cold-hardy is Blueberry?
- It tolerates about -25 °C (-13 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 5.
- When does Blueberry flower?
- From about April for 2–4 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Blueberry poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Blueberries are non-toxic to people, cats and dogs.
- What grows well with Blueberry?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Blueberry. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade C (C: plausible, mixed evidence).
- ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, ASPCA
- FAO Irrigation and Drainage Paper 56 — Crop Evapotranspiration, FAO
- RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
- University extension gardening guides (general), Various land-grant university extensions
Notes and assumptions
- Typical garden-cultivar values; varieties differ.
- Needs acidic soil (pH about 4.5-5.5).
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Rhododendron Rhododendron
- American cranberry Vaccinium macrocarpon
- Lingonberry Vaccinium vitis-idaea
- Bilberry Vaccinium myrtillus
- Satsuki azalea Rhododendron indicum
- Japanese andromeda (pieris) Pieris japonica
- Heather (ling) Calluna vulgaris
- Mountain laurel Kalmia latifolia