Cranberry (Vaccinium oxycoccos)
Care, watering, light and tips for Cranberry on Floravia.
Quick facts
- Family: Ericaceae
- Difficulty: Demanding
- Watering: every 3 days
- Light: Partial shade
- Temperature: 10–30 °C
About Cranberry
Vaccinium oxycoccos, commonly known as the swamp cranberry or small cranberry, is a small creeping plant from the Ericaceae family, valued for its edible red berries and evergreen foliage. It forms a dense mat of slender stems and tiny leaves, perfect for ground cover in moist gardens or as an ornamental plant in hanging baskets in colder climates.
Native range
North America and Eurasia (cold regions of the Northern Hemisphere)
Care tips
It requires full sun to partial shade and a very acidic soil (pH 3.5-5.0), consistently moist and well-drained, similar to its natural bog habitat. It is crucial to water with rainwater or demineralized water, as it does not tolerate chlorine or minerals from tap water. Avoid using alkaline fertilizers or allowing the substrate to dry out completely, as this can be fatal for the plant. Ensure good air circulation to prevent fungal diseases.
How to save a dying Cranberry
- Warning signs
- Yellowish or reddish leaves out of season, wilting, no fruit production or small fruits.
- First aid
- Check acidic soil pH (4.0-5.5), water with soft water, ensure constant moisture without waterlogging.
- What kills it
- Alkaline or neutral soil, lack of acidity, prolonged drought or constant waterlogging.
- Can it be saved?
- Yes, if soil pH is quickly corrected and watering/humidity are adjusted.