Cranberry Plant Care

Cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) belongs to the Ericaceae family within the Vaccinium genus. Cranberry is native to North America, parts of the United States and Canada. Cranberry is also known as Large Cranberry, American Cranberry, Large Fruited Cranberry.

Cranberry displays a spreading, prostrate growth habit, reaching up to 0.6 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Cranberry produces bell-shaped white or pink flowers.

Leaf size: approximately 1 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Cranberry every 7–14 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.

Cranberry thrives in full sun.

Vaccinium macrocarpon tolerates temperatures of 50–70°F. Cranberry prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.

Well-draining acidic soil mix. Good drainage is essential for Cranberry to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Cranberry every 7 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.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with full sun and well-draining acidic soil mix. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Cranberry is suited to USDA Zone 2a – 7b.

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.

Cranberry can spread to about 2 ft (0.6 m) and reach about 1 ft (0 m) tall. Space plants about 2 ft (0.6 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.

Prune Cranberry 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.

Cranberry is hardy down to USDA zone 2a, so once established it can stay outdoors through winter in that zone and warmer ones.

Water deeply in late autumn before the ground freezes, and spread a 5–8 cm (2–3 in) layer of mulch over the root zone, keeping it away from the trunk.

Young and container-grown shrubs need extra protection: roots in a pot freeze much more easily than roots in the ground.

Cranberry can be propagated through division or stem cuttingsd. Similar propagation techniques also apply to european blueberry plant care, which shares the same genus.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

Cranberry 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.

Cranberry grows outdoors in USDA Zone 2a – 7b. It survives winters down to planting zone 2a. Cranberry is native to North America, parts of the United States and Canada.