How To Plant A Blueberry Bush In A Container

Growing blueberries in a pot works good with the right soil conditions. I recommend using moist but well-drained soil. Soggy soil causes root rot or other harmful or deadly plant diseases. 

The container is important. I recommend starting with a pot that's at least 20 to 24 inches wide or larger with a drainage hole or two. The goal is to choose a pot that's big  enough to allow for 2 to 3 years of growth before moving to a larger size container. A general rule is to use a planter that's 8 inches wider than the root ball of your blueberry plant. 

SHOP: LATTICE IRON GARDEN PLANTER, PARK HILL COLLECTION

 

I also recommend choosing a planter color that complements the blueberry and the leaf color and matches the aesthetic of your home or business or brand. I like my blueberries to look good! You can find great containers everywhere but we have some excellent Colonial House of Flowers containers, here. If you are going to a nursery to container shop it's prudent to take pictures of your space and surrounding environment to choose the right color and style. 

PHOTO: THE SPRUCE 

Container Planting Instructions

Step 1 

Before filling your container with the soil mix line the bottom with shade cloth or a porous landscape fabric to prevent the drain holes from becoming stopped up with dirt.

Step 2

Gently lift and remove the plant from the growers pot. Sometimes the root ball gets stuck in the container... keep it together. In this case, cut the growers pot off. Then loosen the feeder roots that you see around the surface of the root ball. You may need to use a water hose to gently spray the sides and bottom  of the rootball to wash away some of the dirt. 

Step 3

Pour a little soil mixture in the bottom of the container. Set the plant in the container and make adjustments by adding or removing soil until the top edge of the root ball will sit 1/2 to 1" below the rim of the container.

Step 4

Backfill with your potting soil around the root ball, tamping as you go, until the level of potting soil is even with the top edge of root ball.

Step 5

Water thoroughly until water starts to drain from the holes in the bottom of the container. Add more potting mix if settling occurs during watering.

Step 6 (Optional)

Apply a 1/2" layer of pine bark mini nuggets, moss or shredded aged wood mulch to soil surface to help conserve moisture.

PHOTO: HOW TO GROW DELICIOUS BERRIES IN CONTAINERS, BETTER HOMES & GARDENS

Location

Place your pots in a sunny spot – blueberries love the sun. They need at least 6 hours of direct sun each day, and more is better.