Lingonberry Vaccinium vitis-idaea
Lingonberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea) is an evergreen perennial fruit plant in the Ericaceae family, native to Boreal and arctic Northern Hemisphere. It grows 15–30 cm (6–12 in) tall and 30–60 cm (12–24 in) wide, wants part sun to part shade and moderate water, and is hardy to about -40 °C (-40 °F). Space plants about 30 cm (12 in) apart.
Plan Lingonberry in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Lingonberry at a glance
| Type | Perennial fruit plant, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Ericaceae |
| Mature height | 15–30 cm (6–12 in) |
| Mature spread | 30–60 cm (12–24 in) |
| Spacing | 30 cm (12 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Part sun to part shade, at least 5 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance low |
| Soil pH | 4–5.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -40 °C (-40 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 3) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 25 °C (77 °F) |
| Flowering | from about May for 2–4 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Yes: berries |
| Native to | Boreal and arctic Northern Hemisphere |
| Common in gardens of | 🇳🇴 Norway, 🇷🇺 Russia, 🇸🇪 Sweden |
Is Lingonberry 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 Lingonberry
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like part sun to part shade and moderate 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
See Lingonberry in a botanical garden
It grows in this sample garden, which you can walk through in 3D:
- Arctic-Alpine Botanic Garden (28 plants)
Questions about Lingonberry
- How far apart should I plant Lingonberry?
- About 30 cm (12 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 30–60 cm (12–24 in).
- Does Lingonberry need full sun?
- Part sun to part shade: at least 5 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Lingonberry need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance low.
- How cold-hardy is Lingonberry?
- It tolerates about -40 °C (-40 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 3.
- When does Lingonberry flower?
- From about May for 2–4 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Lingonberry 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 Lingonberry?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Lingonberry. Group it with plants that like the same sun (part sun to part shade) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade C (C: plausible, mixed evidence).
- RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
- University extension gardening guides (general), Various land-grant university extensions
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- Plants For A Future database, PFAF
- Fruit & Nut Research and Information Center: chilling requirements by species and cultivar, University of California, Davis
Notes and assumptions
- Needs cool, acidic, well-drained moist soil; suffers in heat above about 25 C; cultivars such as Koralle can fruit twice in a season; 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
- American cranberry Vaccinium macrocarpon
- Bilberry Vaccinium myrtillus
- Satsuki azalea Rhododendron indicum
- Japanese andromeda (pieris) Pieris japonica
- Heather (ling) Calluna vulgaris
- Mountain laurel Kalmia latifolia