American cranberry Vaccinium macrocarpon
American cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) is an evergreen perennial fruit plant in the Ericaceae family, native to Eastern North America (bogs and wet acidic sands). It grows 10–20 cm (4–8 in) tall and 60 cm–1.5 m (24 in–4.9 ft) wide, wants full sun and high water, and is hardy to about -37 °C (-35 °F). Space plants about 50 cm (20 in) apart.
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American cranberry at a glance
| Type | Perennial fruit plant, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Ericaceae |
| Mature height | 10–20 cm (4–8 in) |
| Mature spread | 60 cm–1.5 m (24 in–4.9 ft) |
| Spacing | 50 cm (20 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | High; drought tolerance none, waterlogging tolerance high |
| Soil pH | 4–5.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -37 °C (-35 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 3) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 30 °C (86 °F) |
| Flowering | from about July for 3–5 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Yes: berries |
| Native to | Eastern North America (bogs and wet acidic sands) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇺🇸 United States |
Is American cranberry toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Not listed as toxic; fruit is edible.
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 American cranberry
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and high water.
Keep apart or take care
- 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
Questions about American cranberry
- How far apart should I plant American cranberry?
- About 50 cm (20 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 60 cm–1.5 m (24 in–4.9 ft).
- Does American cranberry need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does American cranberry need?
- High water. Drought tolerance is none and waterlogging tolerance high.
- How cold-hardy is American cranberry?
- It tolerates about -37 °C (-35 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 3.
- When does American cranberry flower?
- From about July for 3–5 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is American cranberry 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. Not listed as toxic; fruit is edible.
- What grows well with American cranberry?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for American cranberry. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (high).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder, Missouri Botanical Garden
- FAO Irrigation and Drainage Paper 56 — Crop Evapotranspiration, FAO
- University extension gardening guides (general), Various land-grant university extensions
- USDA PLANTS Database, USDA NRCS
- UF/IFAS Extension tropical and subtropical fruit and landscape publications, University of Florida
Notes and assumptions
- Needs constantly moist, acidic, peaty or sandy soil with low nutrient levels; not grown in a flooded bog in home gardens; chill roughly 1000 hours (estimate).
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
- Blueberry Vaccinium corymbosum
- Rhododendron Rhododendron
- Lingonberry Vaccinium vitis-idaea
- Bilberry Vaccinium myrtillus
- Satsuki azalea Rhododendron indicum
- Japanese andromeda (pieris) Pieris japonica
- Heather (ling) Calluna vulgaris
- Mountain laurel Kalmia latifolia