Andean blueberry (mortiño) Vaccinium meridionale
Andean blueberry (mortiño) (Vaccinium meridionale) is an evergreen perennial fruit plant in the Ericaceae family, native to Andes of Colombia and Venezuela; Jamaica. It grows 1–4 m (3.3–13 ft) tall and 1–2 m (3.3–6.6 ft) wide, wants full sun and moderate water, and is hardy to about -2 °C (28 °F). Space plants about 1.5 m (4.9 ft) apart.
Plan Andean blueberry (mortiño) in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Andean blueberry (mortiño) at a glance
| Type | Perennial fruit plant, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Ericaceae |
| Mature height | 1–4 m (3.3–13 ft) |
| Mature spread | 1–2 m (3.3–6.6 ft) |
| Spacing | 1.5 m (4.9 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 5 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 4–5.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -2 °C (28 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 9) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 24 °C (75 °F) |
| Flowering | about 156–209 weeks after planting, for 9–17 weeks |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Yes: berries |
| Native to | Andes of Colombia and Venezuela; Jamaica |
| Common in gardens of | 🇨🇴 Colombia |
Is Andean blueberry (mortiño) toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
No toxicity reported in ASPCA or standard poison references.
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 Andean blueberry (mortiño)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun 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
Questions about Andean blueberry (mortiño)
- How far apart should I plant Andean blueberry (mortiño)?
- About 1.5 m (4.9 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 1–2 m (3.3–6.6 ft).
- Does Andean blueberry (mortiño) need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 5 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Andean blueberry (mortiño) need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Andean blueberry (mortiño)?
- It tolerates about -2 °C (28 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 9.
- When does Andean blueberry (mortiño) flower?
- About 156–209 weeks after planting, for 9–17 weeks.
- Is Andean blueberry (mortiño) 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. No toxicity reported in ASPCA or standard poison references.
- What grows well with Andean blueberry (mortiño)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Andean blueberry (mortiño). Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- Catálogo de plantas y líquenes de Colombia, Instituto de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Colombia
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Notes and assumptions
- A wild-harvested páramo-edge berry; red new growth. Needs very acid soil like other blueberries.
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
- Lingonberry Vaccinium vitis-idaea
- Bilberry Vaccinium myrtillus
- Satsuki azalea Rhododendron indicum
- Japanese andromeda (pieris) Pieris japonica
- Heather (ling) Calluna vulgaris