Key Points
Growing blueberries indoors is possible and rewarding, but it requires careful planning and attention to detail.
Choose dwarf blueberry varieties, like Northsky Dwarf or Jelly Bean, as they are better suited for indoor spaces.
Blueberries need acidic soil, grow lights, and exposure to cold temperatures to thrive and produce fruit indoors.
A handful of blueberries can enhance a stack of pancakes, a bowl of oatmeal, or even a cup of yogurt. It’s an alluring enough prospect that you might wonder if you can grow this fruit yourself. Better yet, can you grow it indoors?
It’s doable, albeit tricky. We spoke with gardening experts about the best varieties for indoor gardening, and got some tips and tricks that will help your blueberries thrive.
Related: 8 Fruit Trees You Shouldn’t Grow Indoors, According to Gardening Experts
Can You Grow Blueberries Indoors?
Growing blueberries indoors can be challenging, says Lindsey Chastain, founder and CEO of The Waddle and Cluck. “It’s best to use dwarf varieties if you’re going to try,” she says. “Blueberry bushes can get to 6 feet tall outside, which doesn’t fit in most indoor setups.”
For indoor growing, you’ll also need to incorporate grow lights. Temperature is another concern. “The range can be difficult to get right,” says Angelika Zaber, lawncare specialist for Online Turf. “Allow the bush to spend some time in an unheated patio or garage in winter so that the plant can go dormant.”
You’ll want to carefully control the soil pH. “Plant them in a one-to-one mix of peat moss and soil,” Zaber says. “Blueberries need their soil to be acidic to thrive.”
Finally, you’ll have to pollinate your blueberries—unless you choose a variety that self-pollinates.
Varieties to Consider
If you decide to grow blueberries indoors, then you’ll want to consider dwarf varieties. Chastain recommends the following:
Northsky Dwarf: These stay pretty small at 2 feet tall and 3 feet wide
Peach Sorbet: These also stay small at just 1 to 2 feet tall and wide
Jelly Bean: Stays small at 1 to 2 feet tall and wide
Sunshine Blue: More tolerant of the higher pH levels that you often get from tap water
Care Instructions
Expose them to the cold: If you don’t give blueberries time to be exposed to colder temps—between 32 and 45 degrees Fahrenheit—they may not produce fruit, Chastain says.
Provide plenty of light: Blueberries are plants that love the sun, says Tammy Sons, owner of TN Nursery. “Unless you use powerful grow lights for a minimum of twelve to fourteen hours daily,” she warns, “they’re inclined to become stretched out and bear very few, if any, berries.”
Check your pH often: It should be 4.5 to 5.5, says Chastain.
Choose the right pot: Make sure it has drainage holes and plenty of room for the roots, says Chastain.
Keep the soil moist, but not soaked: You’ll want a well-draining potting mix. Blueberries like humidity and dampness, Chastain says, but are susceptible to root rot.
Help it pollinate: Chastain recommends gently shaking the bush from time to time to spread the pollen.
Consider a Patio or Balcony
If possible, you may want to grow your blueberries on a patio or balcony instead—if you really don’t have the yard space.
“Blueberries can be grown successfully in pots,” says Steve Corcoran, lawn expert and CEO of Lawn Love. “They need winter in order to facilitate dormancy, but also do best with full sun exposure—both of which people often struggle to replicate indoors.”
Alternative Fruits to Grow Indoors
If you’ve decided growing blueberries indoors requires too much effort, there are plenty of other fruits you might consider. For instance, Meyer lemons and mini tomatoes are much easier, says Chastain.
Another strong option is the Brown Turkey fig. “Not only will it look amazing in any space, but it will also produce delicious fruit,” Zaber says. “It also self-pollinates and handles pruning well.”
Alternatively, if you don’t mind hand pollinating your plant, certain varieties of strawberries—such as day-neutral strawberries—are another amazing choice.
Read the original article on Martha Stewart
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