Cranberry
Vaccinium macrocarpon · Ericaceae
📷 Photo by Keith Weller · Public domain
The gardener's calendar
In autumn, ease off feeding and take the chance to clean up around cranberry and prepare for winter.
ID card
- Foliage
- Evergreen, small and leathery
- Flowering
- May to June, pale pink flowers
- Adult size
- 30 to 50 cm tall, spreading and dense habit
- Growth
- Slow to moderate
- Hardiness
- Excellent, down to -30 °C
- Origin
- North America, wetland zones
- Fruits
- Red edible berries, autumn-winter
- Soil
- Acidic, peaty, well-drained
✓ Taxonomy verifiedSource: AI estimate · hardiness: reliability high.
Expert tips
The key tip
Cranberries need acidic, moist soil (pH 4-5) and good drainage. Water regularly as the roots are shallow.
The common mistake
In neutral or chalky soil, they gradually decline and produce little fruit.
The pro's trick
Dig a basin at planting time and mulch with sphagnum moss: this creates the acidic, moist microclimate they love.
Care
Watering
Cranberry appreciates constantly moist soil without being waterlogged. Water regularly during the growing season and maintain moderate moisture in winter. It tolerates naturally marshy environments well; in containers or beds, organic mulch helps retain moisture and keep roots cool.
Light Exposure
Place the cranberry in full sun to obtain generous flowering and abundant fruiting. It tolerates partial shade but produces fewer fruits. Prefer a location sheltered from drying winds, especially in continental climates.
Soil
This plant requires very acidic soil (pH 4 to 5.5), rich in organic matter and well-drained. Improve the soil with peat, leaf mould or acidic compost. Drainage is crucial: overly compact or chalky soil leads to rapid plant decline.
Pruning and Maintenance
Perform light pruning after flowering to maintain a compact shape and stimulate branching. You can remove weak or invasive stems. Avoid drastic pruning as it affects fruiting the following year.
Fertilizer
Apply a fertilizer for acid-loving plants in spring (balanced formula, low in nitrogen if possible). Avoid excessive applications that promote foliage at the expense of fruit. One annual application is more than sufficient.
Diseases and Pests
Cranberry is generally resistant. Watch for powdery mildew and grey mould in overly humid and stagnant conditions. Good drainage and adequate aeration prevent most fungal problems. Pests are rare in ornamental cultivation.
Did you know?
Cranberry is emblematic of American Thanksgiving, but it was already used by indigenous peoples of North America long before European colonization, not only as food but also as a dye and for its medicinal properties. This small tart red berry has shaped North American culinary traditions and remains a symbol of continental cultural identity.
Where to buy it
Best planted in autumn so the roots settle in before summer, or in early spring once the frost has passed. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, October, November.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
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- Strawberry treeArbutus unedo
- Tree HeathErica arborea
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.