Vaccinium glaucoalbum Plant Care
Vaccinium glaucoalbum Hook.f. ex C.B.Clarke
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Vaccinium glaucoalbum, the grey-white blueberry, is a species of Vaccinium native to Nepal, east Himalaya, and Myanmar, and Tibet and Yunnan in China. An evergreen shrub with white-bloomed black berries, it has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit as an ornamental.
Every 4–7 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–80°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Vaccinium glaucoalbum?
Plant Vaccinium glaucoalbum in full sun to partial shade (USDA zones 12a) and water a young shrub every 4–7 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 50–80°F (10–27°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Vaccinium glaucoalbum Native To?
What Is the Vaccinium glaucoalbum?
Vaccinium glaucoalbum (Vaccinium glaucoalbum) belongs to the Ericaceae family within the Vaccinium genus. Vaccinium glaucoalbum is native to Nepal, east Himalaya, and Myanmar, and Tibet and Yunnan in China.
Vaccinium glaucoalbum displays a low spreading shrub growth habit, reaching up to 2 ft tall with a spread of approximately 3 ft. Vaccinium glaucoalbum produces bell-shaped white or pink flowers.
Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Vaccinium glaucoalbum?
Water a young or newly planted Vaccinium glaucoalbum every 4–7 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established shrubs mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.
Watering Frequency
Every 4–7 days
Until established; then in dry spells
What Light Does the Vaccinium glaucoalbum Need?
Vaccinium glaucoalbum thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Vaccinium glaucoalbum Prefer?
Vaccinium glaucoalbum tolerates temperatures of 50–80°F. Vaccinium glaucoalbum prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
50–80°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Vaccinium glaucoalbum?
Well-draining acidic soil mix with high organic content, such as peat moss and pine bark. Good drainage is essential for Vaccinium glaucoalbum to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Vaccinium glaucoalbum?
Feed Vaccinium glaucoalbum every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established shrubs in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.
Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.
Fertilizing
Every 6 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
Where Should You Plant a Vaccinium glaucoalbum?
Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining acidic soil mix with high organic content, such as peat moss and pine bark. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.
Vaccinium glaucoalbum is suited to USDA Zone 12a.
Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped shrubs in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.
How Far Apart Should You Plant a Vaccinium glaucoalbum?
Vaccinium glaucoalbum can spread to about 3 ft (0.9 m) and reach about 2 ft (1 m) tall. Space plants about 3 ft (0.9 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.
Planning a row or hedge? Try the plant spacing calculator.
How Do You Prune a Vaccinium glaucoalbum?
Prune Vaccinium glaucoalbum while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.
If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the shrub in one year.
How Do You Care for a Vaccinium glaucoalbum in Winter?
Vaccinium glaucoalbum is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 12). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.
How Do You Propagate a Vaccinium glaucoalbum?
Vaccinium glaucoalbum can be propagated through softwood cuttings, layering, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to cranberry plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Vaccinium glaucoalbum Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Vaccinium glaucoalbum, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Vaccinium glaucoalbum?
Vaccinium glaucoalbum is susceptible to spider mites, aphids, fruitworms. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Vaccinium glaucoalbum Need?
Vaccinium glaucoalbum grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Vaccinium glaucoalbum is native to Nepal, east Himalaya, and Myanmar, and Tibet and Yunnan in China. In cooler regions, grow Vaccinium glaucoalbum as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Vaccinium glaucoalbum is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Vaccinium genus — compare its care with other Vaccinium species on PlantoScan.
Vaccinium is part of the Ericaceae plant family — browse all Ericaceae genera and species.
Vaccinium glaucoalbum thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Vaccinium Species
Other Vaccinium species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Vaccinium glaucoalbum Hook.f. ex C.B.Clarke, family Ericaceae (first published in Fl. Brit. India 3: 453 (1882)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Vaccinium glaucoalbum, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 12a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
