Blueberries are popular fruits prized for their sweet flavor and nutritional value. For new gardeners, the question of whether a single plant can produce a worthwhile harvest is common. The answer depends on the specific type of blueberry planted and expectations for yield. While one bush might survive, two or more compatible varieties are generally required for true success.
Self-Fertile or Cross-Pollinating: The Core Answer
Many cultivated blueberry varieties, particularly the Northern and Southern Highbush types, are classified as self-fertile. This means a single flower contains both male and female parts and can set fruit using its own pollen without a partner plant. However, the quantity and quality of berries produced from self-pollination alone are often significantly lower. The resulting fruit tends to be smaller, ripen slower, and the total yield may be sparse.
Cross-pollination, which involves the transfer of pollen between two genetically distinct varieties, dramatically improves these outcomes. This process results in more complete fertilization, which stimulates the development of more seeds, leading to larger, plumper berries. For Highbush varieties, planting a second, compatible bush ensures a reliably heavy harvest.
The critical exception is the Rabbiteye blueberry, which is functionally self-incompatible. Rabbiteye plants must receive pollen from a different Rabbiteye variety to achieve proper fruit set. Without a partner, a single Rabbiteye bush will produce very few viable berries.
Why Varietal Matching is Key for Success
For the most abundant harvest, the two bushes planted must be genetically distinct yet compatible, and their flowering periods must overlap. Pollinators, such as bumblebees and honeybees, transfer pollen between the two varieties. If one bush blooms in early spring and the other blooms much later, cross-pollination cannot happen.
Rabbiteye blueberries are the most demanding, requiring a second, different cultivar with a similar bloom time planted nearby. For example, a ‘Tifblue’ variety needs a partner like ‘Powderblue’ to ensure adequate pollen transfer and fruit development. The genetic differences between the two plants overcome the self-incompatibility barrier, leading to a full crop.
Highbush varieties also benefit from careful selection, even though they are technically self-fertile. Pairing an early-blooming Highbush with a mid-season bloomer that has an overlapping flowering period maximizes cross-pollination. This practice consistently increases the total yield per plant by up to 20 percent compared to growing a single variety in isolation.
It is ineffective to pair a Rabbiteye with a Highbush variety for pollination purposes. These two types have different chromosome numbers, making successful cross-pollination rare and unreliable. Therefore, selecting two different varieties within the same type is the most practical strategy for ensuring a successful fruit set.
Beyond Pollination: Other Factors for Abundant Fruit
While proper pollination is necessary for fruit development, successful blueberry production relies heavily on specific environmental conditions. Blueberries are calcifuges, meaning they require a highly acidic soil environment. The soil pH must ideally fall between 4.5 and 5.5 for the plant to properly absorb nutrients.
If the soil pH is too high, the plants cannot take up iron, leading to a common condition called iron chlorosis, where the leaves turn yellow with green veins. Testing the soil and amending it with elemental sulfur or peat moss before planting is necessary to ensure the plants thrive.
Blueberry bushes are shallow-rooted and require consistent moisture throughout the growing season, but they do not tolerate waterlogged conditions. They need a location that receives at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight each day to produce a quality harvest. Regular pruning of older, less-productive canes encourages the growth of new wood, which is where the most fruit is produced.