It is possible to grow a blueberry plant from the fruit purchased at the store, but this requires patience. The fruit contains tiny seeds that can be extracted and germinated to start a new plant. This slow process requires specific preparation and long-term care. Growing from seed introduces variables that commercial growers avoid, meaning the resulting plant may not be an exact replica of the parent berry.
Growing Blueberries from Seed: The Genetic Reality
Commercial blueberries, especially common highbush varieties, are highly-bred hybrids resulting from generations of careful cross-pollination. This hybridization means their seeds contain a mix of genetic material from two parent plants, not just the traits of the berry you ate. When planting a seed from a hybrid, the resulting seedling will not “come true to type,” meaning it will not be a clone of the parent plant.
The genetic variability introduces unpredictability regarding the future fruit. Your seedling might produce berries that are smaller, less sweet, or fewer in number than the parent fruit. The plant may also take five or more years to mature enough for a significant harvest, making this a long-term experiment. Commercial operations rely on asexual propagation, like taking cuttings, which produces genetically identical plants and guarantees desired fruit quality and yield.
Preparing Blueberry Seeds for Planting
Successfully growing blueberries from seed begins with meticulous extraction and a required period of cold treatment. The first step involves macerating, or mashing, the fruit in water to separate the tiny seeds from the pulp. Because blueberry seeds are heavier than the pulp, adding water and stirring allows viable seeds to sink while floating debris can be poured off.
Once cleaned, the seeds must undergo cold stratification, a process that mimics the natural cold, moist conditions of winter to break dormancy. This step is necessary for successful germination. Place the seeds in a sealed container or plastic bag with a moist medium like peat moss or damp paper towels.
The container should be stored in a refrigerator for 90 to 120 days, maintaining a temperature just above freezing. The moist, cold environment signals to the seed that winter has passed and it is safe to germinate. After this cold period, the seeds can be planted in a seed-starting medium, where they may take one to three months to sprout.
Long-Term Care Requirements for Blueberry Seedlings
Once the seeds germinate, the tiny seedlings have specific environmental demands, particularly concerning soil chemistry. Blueberries are unique among common garden plants in that they require highly acidic soil, with an ideal pH range of 4.5 to 5.5. When the soil pH is too high, the plant cannot efficiently absorb essential nutrients like iron, leading to chlorosis, where the leaves turn yellow and growth is stunted.
Achieving and maintaining this acidity often requires amending the soil with elemental sulfur, which slowly lowers the pH, or incorporating acidic materials like sphagnum peat moss. For existing plants, acidic fertilizers formulated for azaleas or rhododendrons can help sustain the low pH. The shallow, fibrous root system also demands excellent drainage, so plants should never be placed in areas where water pools.
The plants require a location that receives full sun, meaning at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight daily for optimal growth and fruit production. Consistent moisture is necessary because of their shallow roots, but the soil must remain well-drained to prevent root rot. Applying a thick layer of organic mulch, such as pine needles or pine bark, helps maintain soil moisture, suppresses weeds, and contributes to soil acidity.
Faster Ways to Start a Blueberry Bush
While growing from seed offers a unique experience, the fastest way to get fruit is to skip the seedling stage entirely. The most immediate method is purchasing an established, container-grown blueberry bush from a nursery. These plants are typically one to three years old and will begin producing a harvest much sooner than a plant started from seed.
A more economical, yet faster, alternative to seeds is propagation through cuttings, which ensures the new plant is genetically identical to the parent. Taking hardwood cuttings during the dormant season or softwood cuttings in late spring allows you to clone an existing bush. Rooted cuttings still require a couple of years to mature, but they shave years off the waiting time compared to starting from seed.