Cranberry

Cranberry Bush - Best In New Zealand!

Growing a Cranberry bush in your garden delivers a vast range of benefits:

• Reduced food waste.
• Lower grocery costs.
• Fewer food miles and less plastic packaging, decreasing your carbon footprint.
• Convenience.
• Children can learn the plants and become more involved with nature.
• These plants will bring you pleasure for many years to come.

We have the right cranberry plant for your space. Our fruiting plants have been selected to thrive in New Zealand’s climate. We stock only the highest quality plants, sourcing them from NZ’s leading nurseries. Each plant is packed and transported with extreme care, ensuring it arrives to you in the same condition it was in when it left the nursery. If you are wanting to buy cranberry plants, shop with confidence from the best in the industry.

Cranberry Plant Questions

1. Do cranberries grow in NZ?

Yes, cranberries can grow in New Zealand, and there are two types that are typically grown:

• North American cranberries (Vaccinium macrocarpon): These are the classic cranberries you'd find in sauces and juices. There's only one commercial cranberry farm in New Zealand, Cranberries Westland, located on the West Coast. They grow high-quality cranberries, but they're not widely available due to the limited production.
• New Zealand cranberries (Myrtus ugni): These are a different species, native to Chile. They're smaller and have a sweeter, less tart flavour than North American cranberries. They're easier to find and can be grown in home gardens throughout New Zealand.

2. Is cranberry easy to grow?

Generally, cranberries are considered "easy-to-grow" once established, thanks to their hardy nature and minimal maintenance. They do require specific conditions to thrive:

• Cranberries thrive in acidic soil with a pH between 4.0 and 5.0. If your soil isn't naturally acidic, you can amend it with soil acidifying fertiliser such as https://www.theplantcompany.co.nz/shop/product/fertiliser/fertiliser-for-acid-loving-plants
• They need consistently moist soil that is also well-drained.
• Cranberries prefer full sun for at least 6-8 hours a day.
• They require a period of cold weather for flower bud development and fruit production.

3. How fast do cranberries grow?

Cranberry plants can take 2-3 years to fully establish and reach mature size. During this time, they spread vegetatively but may not produce many berries. Cranberries flower in late spring and the berries take 8-10 weeks to mature and turn from green to bright red.

4. Do cranberries come back every year?

Cranberries are a perennial plant, which means they come back every year! They can live for over 100 years and continue to produce berries throughout their lifespan. They're quite hardy and can withstand harsh winters, making them well-suited for colder climates.

5. Where do cranberries grow best?

Cranberries have some specific preferences when it comes to their ideal growing environment:

• Cranberries flourish where they experience cool summers and cold winters. They require a period of cold weather for proper flower bud development and fruit set.
• They need full sun for at least 6-8 hours daily for optimal growth and berry production.
• Cranberries thrive in acidic soil with a pH between 4.0 and 5.0. This can be achieved naturally in boggy areas or by amending soil with acidifying fertiliser such as https://www.theplantcompany.co.nz/shop/product/fertiliser/fertiliser-for-acid-loving-plants
• They require consistently moist soil with good drainage.