How to Grow Blueberries in Grow Bags and Pots in Australia

Choose the right blueberry for where you live

Before you buy your blueberry plant, have a look at which varieties are suited to your climate.

This is particularly important in Australia because not all blueberries have the same winter requirements. Some varieties need plenty of winter chill, while others have been bred to produce well in warmer areas.

You'll generally come across Northern Highbush, Southern Highbush and Rabbiteye types, along with lots of individual cultivars within those groups.

If you're unsure which one is right for your area, your local nursery is a great place to start. Choose a variety suited to your Australian climate and its chill requirements.

And what about pollination?

Some blueberry varieties are self-fertile, but having another compatible blueberry nearby can improve pollination and fruiting. If you have the room for two different compatible varieties, it's certainly worth considering.

Not sure which variety will suit your area? Take a look at my Know Your Grow Zone guide, or ask your local nursery for advice

The right soil for growing blueberries

If you've tried growing blueberries before and haven't had much luck, your potting mix may be the first thing to look at.

Blueberries are acid-loving plants and need a much lower soil pH than most of the plants you'll grow in your garden. Aim for an acidic mix around pH 4.5–5.5.

This is one reason growing blueberries in containers can actually be easier than growing them in the ground. You can control exactly what goes around their roots rather than trying to change the pH of your entire garden.

Look for a good-quality potting mix specifically formulated for acid-loving plants, such as azaleas and camellias.

Don't be tempted to simply fill your container with ordinary garden soil or standard potting mix. Getting the root environment right from the beginning will save you a lot of frustration later.

If you're unsure about the pH of your mix, test it. A simple pH test kit from a nursery or garden centre can tell you whether you're in the right range. 

Give your blueberry room to grow

Blueberries have a shallow fibrous root system, which needs space to grow and absorb nutrients. So while a fairly wide pot is required, it does not have to be too deep. You can plant a new small shrub in a container about 35cm wide for the first 2 or 3 years. If you're looking for a long-term home for a mature blueberry, choose a large container or grow bag, around 40–50 cm wide or larger depending on the variety.

And remember – your blueberry may be sitting there looking quite small when you first buy it, but it won't stay that way! As the bush might grow to about 1m in height and 70cm across at maturity, a large ceramic-style pot will be weighty to relocate.

Blueberry shrubs cultivated in Root Pouch grow bags are perfect for small spaces. 

They're much easier to move than a large ceramic or terracotta pot, particularly if your growing space changes with the seasons.

You can move your blueberry to chase the sun, shelter it from harsh weather or simply rearrange your balcony without needing to lift a huge, heavy pot.

The fabric in Root Pouch grow bags construction helps discourage root circling and encourages a dense, fibrous root system. More feeder roots mean greater access to water, nutrients and oxygen!

Blueberry plants need a lot of water, but they also like well-draining soil. In other words, they don't want to be sitting in water. Root Pouch grow bags let excess water drain away, helping provide the drainage blueberries need.

Planting your blueberry 

When you're ready to plant, don't bury the plant any deeper than it was growing in its nursery pot, or it may end up with collar rot (that bit on the trunk that was at soil level). 

Fill your Root Pouch grow bag or container with your acidic potting mix, position your blueberry at the same level it was previously growing, then gently firm the mix around the root ball.

Leave a little room at the top of the grow bag or pot so you can water without everything running over the sides.

Give it a really good drink after planting. This settles the mix around the roots and removes any air pockets.

A layer of suitable mulch, such as pine bark, can also help retain moisture and keep the root zone cooler. Just keep the mulch away from the main stem.

Watering blueberries – keep the soil consistently moist

This is another area where blueberries can be a little demanding.

They like consistent moisture, but they don't like sitting in waterlogged soil. Their roots need both water and oxygen, so good drainage is just as important as keeping them hydrated.

And because you're growing in a container, you'll need to keep an eye on moisture levels. Containers can dry out much faster than plants growing in the ground, particularly say,  on a hot or windy balcony.

A Waterpot Olla can make watering life so easy

A Waterpot Olla sits down in the growing mix and provides water around the root zone as the surrounding soil dries.

Rather than watering the entire surface of the pot every time, you're putting water down where the plant's roots can access it.

For a blueberry growing in a Root Pouch grow bag position the Olla slightly to one side of the plant rather than directly underneath the main stem. Leave enough room around it for the blueberry's roots to grow naturally.

When you first plant your blueberry, continue watering from above while the plant establishes. Once the roots are settled, your Olla can become an important part of your regular watering routine.

Just remember that an Olla isn't a set-and-forget system. Check it regularly and keep it topped up, particularly during flowering, fruit development and hot weather.

Your blueberry will tell you when it's thirsty – but it's much better not to wait for it to tell you!

Want to understand exactly how an Olla works? Here's our guide  - Watering From Below: The Quiet Genius of Ollas

Find the sunniest spot you have

Blueberries need plenty of light to produce a good crop.

Like most fruits, Blueberries do best with 6–8 hours of sunlight, while considering how hot your balcony, courtyard, or small space gets in summer.

If you're in a particularly hot part of Australia, your blueberry may appreciate some protection from the fiercest afternoon sun. 

This is another advantage of growing in a Root Pouch. You can move the plant if its position isn't working.

One of the things I love about growing in a Root Pouch is being able to move containers as the seasons change.

Patience for your first berries

If your blueberry is newly planted, it can be tempting to let every flower turn into fruit.

But removing the flowers in the first year can help the plant put its energy into establishing a strong root system and healthy new growth. It's one of the hardest things to do - strip your first potential harvest off the shrub - it might mean waiting a little longer for that first big harvest, but your established plant will be better for it.

Don't overfeed your blueberry

Blueberries don't need to be drowned in fertiliser.

In fact, too much fertiliser can do more harm than good.

Start with a quality acidic potting mix and then use a fertiliser specifically suited to acid-loving plants, following the manufacturer's directions.

The important thing is to resist the temptation to keep adding more because you want more berries!

So if you've been thinking that you don't have enough space to grow blueberries, think again.

A sunny balcony, a good-sized Root Pouch grow bag, the right acidic growing mix and a Waterpot Olla to help with watering may be all you need to start growing your own.

And once you've tasted that first handful straight from the plant, you'll understand why it's worth it!

Happy growing,

Up On The Rooftop