Vaccinium peleanum Plant Care

Vaccinium peleanum Skottsb.

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

Vaccinium reticulatum, known as ʻōhelo ʻai in Hawaiian, is a species of flowering plant in the heather family, Ericaceae, that is endemic to Hawaii. It grows at altitudes of 640–3,700 m (2,100–12,140 ft) on lava flows and freshly disturbed volcanic ash on Maui and Hawaiʻi, and less commonly on Kauaʻi, Oʻahu, and Molokaʻi.

🌿Shrubs🍎Fruit & Berries
Water

Every 4–7 days

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Temp

50–80°F

Humidity

40–70%

At a glance

How do you care for Vaccinium peleanum?

Plant Vaccinium peleanum 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 peleanum Native To?

Native range1 country

What Is the Vaccinium peleanum?

Vaccinium peleanum (Vaccinium peleanum) belongs to the Ericaceae family within the Vaccinium genus. Vaccinium peleanum is native to Hawaii.

Vaccinium peleanum displays a low spreading shrub growth habit, reaching up to 2 ft tall with a spread of approximately 3 ft. Vaccinium peleanum produces bell-shaped white or pink flowers.

Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Vaccinium peleanum?

Water a young or newly planted Vaccinium peleanum 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 peleanum Need?

Vaccinium peleanum thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Light Requirement

Full sun to partial shade

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Vaccinium peleanum Prefer?

Vaccinium peleanum tolerates temperatures of 50–80°F. Vaccinium peleanum prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Temperature

50–80°F

Humidity

40–70%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Vaccinium peleanum?

Well-draining acidic soil mix with high organic content, such as peat moss and pine bark. Good drainage is essential for Vaccinium peleanum to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

How Often Should You Fertilize a Vaccinium peleanum?

Feed Vaccinium peleanum 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 peleanum?

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 peleanum 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 peleanum?

Vaccinium peleanum 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 peleanum?

Prune Vaccinium peleanum 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 peleanum in Winter?

Vaccinium peleanum 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 peleanum?

Vaccinium peleanum 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 peleanum Toxic to Pets and Children?

Pet safety not verified

The ASPCA does not list Vaccinium peleanum, 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 peleanum?

Vaccinium peleanum 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 peleanum Need?

Vaccinium peleanum grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Vaccinium peleanum is native to Hawaii. In cooler regions, grow Vaccinium peleanum as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 12a

Keep exploring plants

Vaccinium peleanum 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 peleanum 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 peleanum Skottsb., family Ericaceae (first published in Bull. Bernice P. Bishop Mus. 43: 83 (1927)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Vaccinium peleanum, 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.

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