How to Grow & Care For Blueberries in Australia In 4 Easy Steps

The Ultimate Guide to Growing Blueberry Bushes

Eaten fresh, baked in muffins or as the star attraction in jams or desserts, blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum) are always delicious. They're also rich in vitamin C and antioxidants so it's no wonder they've been hailed as a ‘superfood’. Blueberries are easy to grow at home in your garden.

The best blueberry varieties in Australia to grow

Blueberry bushes can grow to around 1.5m tall and wide, but there are also compact varieties reaching just 60cm tall that are perfect for growing in containers.

All blueberries will produce a better harvest if there is at least one blueberry bush of a different variety nearby, for cross-pollination, although most are able to self-pollinate to some extent. If you only have space for one blueberry bush, choose one listed as being self-fertile.

In Australia there are three main types of blueberry:

Northern highbush – suited to the cooler climates of Victoria, Tasmania and NSW Southern Highlands; varieties include Bluecrop, Brigitta, Caroline, Elliott, Puru
Southern highbush – prefers warmer areas including most of NSW and Queensland; varieties include Biloxi, Legacy, Misty, Sharpe Blue
Rabbiteye – best in warmer areas including NSW and Queensland but will tolerate cooler climates almost as well; varieties include Brightwell, Centurion, Maru, Powder Blue, Premier

Northern highbush blueberry varieties are deciduous (lose their leaves over winter) while southern highbush and rabbiteye varieties are semi or fully evergreen (leaves all year round).

Growing blueberries

Blueberries grow best in acidic, well-drained soil with plenty of organic matter and consistent moisture. They need a sunny position, protection from harsh winds and regular watering, especially during flowering and fruiting. Plant more than one variety to improve pollination and yields, and mulch well to keep roots cool and moist. With the right conditions, blueberries will produce fruit in summer and continue to crop for many years.

Essential equipment list for browing blueberry bushes

To plant blueberries in your garden, you will need:

For growing blueberries in soil

Spade
Soil pH test kit
Leafmould, composted pine needles or Scotts Osmocote Plus Organics Plant Food & Soil Improver for Roses, Gardenias & other acid-loving plants.

For growing blueberries in pots

Container at least 30cm in diameter
Hand trowel
Scotts Osmocote Potting Mix for Roses, Gardenias, Azaleas & other acid-loving fruits and plants

Your guide to planting blueberry bushes

What's the best time to plant blueberries?

The best time to plant blueberry bushes is from mid-winter to early spring.

Where should you plant blueberries?

In a position protected from strong winds. They produce their best crops in full sun but will cope with some shade. They grow well in garden beds, raised beds and pots, making them suitable for many Australian gardens.

What's the best soil for blueberries?

It's essential to give blueberries the right soil conditions. Blueberries need acidic soil (aim for pH 4.5–5.5) otherwise they struggle to take up nutrients and growth suffers.

You can test your soil's pH level with a pH test kit - these are readily available and easy to use. Follow the instructions carefully. You can also have your soil pH tested by an analytical laboratory. Some garden centres also offer a testing service.

If your soil is only slightly acidic, you can lower the pH by adding powdered sulphur. This needs to be done a few months before planting for it to work effectively - re-test the soil closer to planting time. The simplest solution to not having the right soil for blueberries is to grow them in a container, where you can control the type of soil used.

How much sun do blueberries need?

Blueberries grow best in full sun. In hotter parts of Australia, light afternoon shade can help protect plants from extreme summer heat.

How far apart should blueberries be planted?

Most plants should be spaced around 1 to 1.5 metres apart, depending on the mature size of the variety.

Should you plant more than one blueberry variety?

Yes, planting two compatible varieties often improves cross-pollination, leading to heavier crops and larger berries.

Blueberries

How to plant blueberry bushes

How to plant blueberries in garden beds

Step 1: Before planting blueberries in the ground, dig in lots of acidic organic matter like leaf mould, composted pine needles or soil improver, to improve the soil structure and drainage. Don't use manures or mushroom compost as they are usually too alkaline.

Step 2: Space plants 1.5m apart.

Step 3: After planting, add a mulch around the base of the plants.

How to plant blueberries in garden containers

Step 1: When planting blueberries in containers, choose a pot that is at least 40cm in diameter (50cm for full-size varieties), with good drainage holes.

Step 2: Fill the container with Scotts Osmocote® Rose, Gardenia, Azalea & Camellia Mix, a premium acidic potting mix suited to blueberries, azaleas and camellias.

Step 3: Gently remove the plant from its nursery pot, loosen any tightly bound roots and place it in the centre of the container.

Step 4: Backfill with potting mix, firm lightly and water thoroughly to settle the soil.

Step 5: Position the pot in full sun and water regularly to keep the mix consistently moist.

How to plant blueberries in raised beds

Step 1: Ensure the raised bed has good drainage and is filled with an acidic growing mix suitable for blueberries.

Step 2: Enrich the bed with organic matter such as leaf mould, pine bark or composted pine needles to help maintain acidity and improve structure. Avoid alkaline amendments such as manures or mushroom compost.

Step 3: Space plants around 1–1.5m apart, depending on variety and available space.

Step 4: Plant at the same depth as the nursery container and firm soil gently around the roots.

Step 5: Water in well after planting and apply mulch around each plant to conserve moisture and regulate soil temperature.

How to grow blueberries

Step 1: Choose the right location

Select a position with full sun or light afternoon shade in hotter climates. Blueberries fruit best with at least 6 hours of sunlight each day and protection from harsh winds.

Step 2: Prepare acidic soil

Blueberries prefer acidic soil with a pH of around 4.5 to 5.5. Improve drainage and organic matter by adding composted pine bark or other suitable organic material.

Step 3: Plant the blueberry bushes

Dig a hole wider than the root ball and plant at the same depth as the nursery pot. Backfill gently, water in well and apply mulch around the base.

Step 4: Space plants correctly

Allow enough room between plants for airflow and growth. Spacing depends on variety, but many blueberries perform well with around 1 to 1.5 metres between plants.

Step 5: Water regularly

Keep soil evenly moist, especially during flowering and fruiting. Blueberries have shallow roots and dislike drying out.

Step 6: Feed and maintain

Use fertiliser suited to acid-loving plants during the growing season. Top up mulch as needed and remove weak or damaged growth.

Step 7: Harvest ripe berries

Pick berries once they are fully coloured and detach easily from the stem. Fruit usually ripens over several weeks.

Blueberry plant lifecycle

Seed or young plant stage

Most home gardeners start with nursery plants rather than seed, as blueberries are slower from seed.

Establishment stage

During the first year, plants focus on root and branch development. Remove early flowers on young plants if needed to encourage stronger growth.

Flowering stage

Blueberries produce white or pink bell-shaped flowers in spring, though low-chill varieties in subtropical areas can flower as early as late winter.

Pollination stage

Bees and other pollinators help flowers set fruit.

Fruiting stage

Berries develop and ripen from green to blue over summer, depending on variety and climate - low-chill types in subtropical areas may fruit from late winter into spring.

Mature production stage

Plants usually increase yields over the first few years and can remain productive for many seasons with good care.

Caring for blueberry bushes

When growing blueberries in pots, once the roots start growing through the pot's drainage holes, repot into a larger container.

Don't overfeed blueberries grown in the open ground, as this will reduce the harvest. Instead, mulch the bushes annually, and feed them with Scotts Osmocote Controlled Release Fertiliser for Roses, Gardenias & other acid-loving plants.

Give your blueberries a fortnightly boost with Scotts Osmocote Pour+Feed for Roses, Gardenias & Azaleas ready-to-use liquid fertiliser.

When to prune blueberry bushes in Australia

Make sure you don't prune blueberry bushes until they are at least two years old, then prune annually in late winter or early spring, following these steps:

Remove any crossing or damaged stems
Remove any low branches that trail on the ground.
Cut one in every four old stems to the base of the plant. This promotes new growth which will bear more fruit.
Remove all twiggy growth on the ends of last year's fruit-bearing stems, cutting back to a strong upward-facing bud or shoot lower down the stem.

Harvesting blueberry bushes

Harvesting blueberries

Blueberries start to ripen from mid-summer onwards. It's easy to tell when to harvest blueberries, as the fruits turn a dusty blue colour. Leave the blueberries on the plant for a day or two after ripening to allow them to develop their flavour, and then pick them.

Ripe blueberries should come away easily from the stalks. Blueberries ripen at different times on the same bush, so keep checking the bushes and pick the blueberries as they ripen.

Common blueberry pests & diseases

Birds	The biggest challenge when growing blueberries is stopping the birds getting to the berries before you do. Cover the bushes with bird netting (maximum 5mm mesh to minimise birds being caught in nets), but only do this once the berries have started to develop or you'll stop bees and other insects getting to the flowers to pollinate them.
Powdery mildew	Blueberries can be affected by powdery mildew, a fungal disease that looks like a white powdery deposit on leaves that can reduce the plant's vigour. It is often a sign of drought-stress, so to reduce the risk: water regularly. Powdery mildew is less of a problem for plants grown in cooler areas.

Birds

The biggest challenge when growing blueberries is stopping the birds getting to the berries before you do.

Cover the bushes with bird netting (maximum 5mm mesh to minimise birds being caught in nets), but only do this once the berries have started to develop or you'll stop bees and other insects getting to the flowers to pollinate them.

Powdery mildew

Blueberries can be affected by powdery mildew, a fungal disease that looks like a white powdery deposit on leaves that can reduce the plant's vigour. It is often a sign of drought-stress, so to reduce the risk:

water regularly.
Powdery mildew is less of a problem for plants grown in cooler areas.

Growing blueberries FAQs

What kind of soil do blueberries need?

Blueberries need acidic soil, ideally around pH 4.5 to 5.5, that drains well and contains organic matter.

Where in Australia do blueberries grow best?

Blueberries grow across much of Australia if you choose the right type - low-chill southern highbush and rabbiteye varieties for warm and subtropical areas, and northern highbush for cooler climates.