Growing Blueberries at Home

Florida blueberries are a favorite of many Central Floridians. They are tasty, good for you, and fun to pick at local farms. But did you know that you can also grow blueberries in your home landscape? Thanks to low-chill varieties, with proper site preparation, plant selection, and maintenance, home gardeners in Central Florida can enjoy fresh blueberries right from their own yard.

WHAT VARIETIES CAN BE GROWN IN CENTRAL FLORIDA YARDS?

Blueberries are native to eastern North America, and Florida is home to several native blueberry species. The highbush (Vaccinium corymbosum) and rabbiteye (Vaccinium ashei) are grown at local farms as well as in home gardens. There is also the Darrow’s blueberry (Vaccinium darrowii) and shiny blueberry (Vaccinium myrsinites), native varieties that homeowners tend to prefer for their size and ease of growth. Blueberries can be successfully incorporated into home landscapes as edible ornamental shrubs that provide spring flowers, attractive foliage, and delicious summer fruit.

Southern highbush blueberries cultivars are adapted to mild winters and produce very early fruit, often earlier than blueberries grown anywhere else in North America. Popular southern highbush cultivars include:

• ‘Emerald’

• ‘Jewel’

• ‘Springhigh’

• ‘Sweetcrisp’

• ‘Farthing’

Rabbiteye varieties can be easier to grow than the southern highbush and tend to be more drought tolerant. They grow best in areas north of Ocala. Cultivars include:

• ‘Beckyblue’

• ‘Bonita’

• ‘Climax’

PLANT MORE THAN ONE VARIETY

Most blueberry cultivars require cross-pollination to produce a good crop. This means gardeners should plant at least two different cultivars of the same blueberry type. For example, two southern highbush or two rabbiteye varieties. Pollination by bees is also essential for good fruit set. Encourage bees and other pollinators with nearby flowers and/or a pollinator garden.

Planting multiple cultivars can also extend the harvest season, providing an extended crop for several weeks.

SITE SELECTION AND GROWING REQUIREMENTS

Blueberries have very specific soil requirements. They grow best in acidic, well-drained soils rich in organic matter. Ideally, soil pH should be between about 4.0 and 5.5. If you are considering planting them in the ground, you may want to get your soil tested. Most UF/IFAS Extension offices offer this service for a minimal fee. Our Central Florida soils lack organic matter, so consider adding pine bark or other organic materials to improve growing conditions. Blueberries can be grown in containers where it may be easier to create a more acidic environment for them to grow.

Here is what else your blueberries will need:

• At least 4–5 hours of sunlight daily

• Good drainage. Avoid areas that remain wet after rainfall

• Adequate space. Rabbiteye plants need about a 7-foot growing area, while southern highbush can grow in a 4-foot space

PLANTING AND ESTABLISHMENT

Blueberries are typically planted during the winter months before spring growth begins, but they can be planted any time of year. Container-grown plants are widely available and establish well when planted during cooler weather. When planting:

1. Dig a hole that is a few inches shallower than the root ball.

2. Incorporate organic matter such as pine bark (for acidity).

3. Apply mulch to maintain soil moisture, but keep it pulled away from the base of the plant.

4. Water regularly during establishment.

Blueberries benefit from organic mulches such as pine bark, pine needles, or wood chips, which help conserve moisture and maintain soil acidity. For more information on planting visit: gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/care/planting/planting-shrubs.

MAINTENANCE

Blueberries typically require supplemental irrigation, especially during fruit development or dry periods. Microirrigation is an easy way to make sure you are applying water efficiently to the plants.

Annual pruning is also important. Removing older canes encourages new growth, improves plant vigor, and helps maintain fruit size and quality. Mature rabbiteye bushes can reach 6–8 feet tall or more, so pruning helps keep plants manageable in the home landscape.

Blueberries should be fertilized following UF/IFAS recommendations. If you are growing blueberries as part of your ornamental landscape, you may not need to add supplemental nutrients. It is important to not over-fertilize your plants as it can damage them.

As with most plants in the Central Florida landscape, there are pests that can harm blueberries. Following proper maintenance practices can keep pests at a minimum. There are management options, and we recommend contacting your local UF/IFAS Extension Plant Clinic to determine the best approach.

HARVESTING YOUR BLUEBERRIES

Depending on the cultivar, blueberries in Central Florida typically ripen from early spring through early summer. Southern highbush blueberries ripen earliest, while rabbiteye varieties generally produce fruit from May through July. Fruit should be harvested when the berries are fully blue and easily detach from the plant. Fresh blueberries are excellent for eating fresh, baking, freezing, and making jams. UF/IFAS Extension Polk County Nutrition expert Andrea Nikolai, shares health information here: blogs.ifas.ufl.edu, and you can find recipes using your homegrown berries here: followfreshfromflorida.com.

BLUEBERRIES IN THE FLORIDA-FRIENDLY LANDSCAPE

Beyond their delicious fruit, blueberries also make attractive landscape plants. Their spring flowers attract pollinators, and many varieties provide seasonal interest with colorful foliage and compact shrub forms. With the right varieties and proper care, blueberries can become a productive and beautiful addition to central Florida landscapes.

If you have any questions about growing blueberries in your Central Florida yard, contact UF/IFAS Extension Polk County at 863-519-1041 or visit us online at: sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/polk. The Plant Clinic is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. to answer your gardening and landscaping questions.

To learn more about gardening and landscaping in Central Florida, listen to the “Your Central Florida Yard” podcast. You can find the podcast wherever you listen or find out more on our Substack: substack.com/@yourcentralfloridayard. An Equal Opportunity Institution.

Anne Yasalonis is the Residential Horticulture Extension Agent and Master Gardener Volunteer Program Coordinator for UF/ IFAS Extension Polk County. Please contact her at anneanne@ ufl.edu.