Blueberries are popular fruits, but their growth habit is often a source of confusion. Many people wonder if this small, blue berry grows on a trailing vine, similar to grapes. This article definitively answers how the blueberry plant grows and explains why the misconception about it being a vine persists.
The Definitive Answer: How Blueberries Grow
Blueberries, which belong to the Vaccinium genus, grow exclusively on a perennial, woody plant known as a shrub or bush, not on a vine. The plant is characterized by multiple stiff, upright stems, often called canes, which emerge from the crown at the base. These woody canes are self-supporting, meaning the plant does not require a trellis or other structure to grow vertically and bear fruit.
The fruit develops from small, bell-shaped flowers that appear on the previous season’s growth. A mature blueberry shrub features a dense, multi-stemmed structure, with some varieties reaching heights of up to 12 feet. The plant’s root system is shallow and fibrous, requiring consistently acidic soil (pH 4.5 to 5.5) to thrive and produce berries. This woody structure firmly classifies the plant as a shrub.
Understanding Blueberry Plant Varieties
The general term “blueberry” encompasses several distinct species and hybrids. All maintain the fundamental shrub structure but differ in size and growth pattern. The most common type in commercial production is the Highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum), which typically grows six to eight feet tall. This variety is valued for its large fruit size and abundant yields.
Another category is the Lowbush blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium), often marketed as “wild blueberries,” which rarely exceed 1.5 feet in height. These plants spread via underground stems called rhizomes, forming a dense, low groundcover. Rabbiteye blueberries (Vaccinium virgatum), found in warmer climates, are known for their heat tolerance and grow into large shrubs that can reach ten feet or more. Despite these size variations, all cultivated and wild blueberries are woody, self-supporting shrubs.
Why the Confusion About Vines?
The misunderstanding that blueberries grow on vines likely stems from their association with the cranberry, a close botanical relative in the same plant family (Ericaceae). The cranberry grows on a low, creeping, woody vine, not a self-supporting shrub. Because both are small, round, clustered berries in the Vaccinium genus, their differing growth habits are often conflated.
Another source of confusion is the general tendency to associate small, clustered fruits with climbing plants, such as grapes. However, the blueberry plant’s woody, multi-stemmed structure is entirely different from the pliable, tendril-bearing stems of a true vine. This misconception is also amplified by non-edible, blue-colored berries that do grow on vines, such as the Virginia creeper, which can look deceptively similar to blueberries.