Growing blueberry
berry / bush fruit
Pollination
Plant two varieties for reliable, heavy crops.
Growing it
Zones 7-10, bred for mild winters. Same acidic-soil rule as northern types.
Where blueberry grows best
Hardy in zones 7-10, and it needs enough winter cold - about 150-600 chill hours - to flower and fruit well. Combining the two:
Good fit across most of: Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee. Also parts of Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Missouri, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia.
Will you get enough chill?
Blueberry (Southern highbush) needs roughly 150–600 hours between 32 and 45 °F over winter to break dormancy evenly. Check your area with the chill hours calculator. Low-chill breeding has pushed many varieties well below the figure here, so read the plant tag.
Questions gardeners ask
What zone does blueberry grow in?
Blueberry (Southern highbush) grows in USDA hardiness zones 7-10.
How many chill hours does blueberry need?
Roughly 150-600 hours between 32 and 45°F over winter, depending on the variety. Low-chill varieties need less - check the plant tag, and estimate your own area with the chill hours calculator.
Does blueberry need a pollinator?
Partly self-fertile — crops much better with a partner. Plant two varieties for reliable, heavy crops.
Which states can grow blueberry?
Blueberry (Southern highbush) suits most of Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, and parts of 26 other states where the right zones occur. Your own zone and chill hours matter more than the state.
Chill and pollination are given at the fruit-type level; specific cultivars can differ. Values are typical ranges for home-garden planning.