Blueberry (Rabbiteye)

📖 About This Plant

Blueberry (Rabbiteye) varieties are the dominant blueberry type for gardeners in the American South and Pacific Coast, bred specifically to thrive in the long hot summers and mild winters of zones 7–9 where Northern Highbush blueberries struggle. The name comes from the way the unripe fruits blush pink before fully turning blue — resembling a rabbit's eye. Rabbiteye bushes are significantly larger than Northern Highbush types, growing 10–15 feet at maturity with outstanding longevity (50+ years with proper care). Their fruits tend toward smaller size with a firm texture and slightly more pronounced skin, but the flavor — particularly in late-season varieties — develops excellent sweetness after harvest. They require two or more different Rabbiteye varieties planted together for cross-pollination, as self-pollination produces poor yields.

📊 Quick Facts

📅 When to Plant in Your Area

🌱 Care Tips

Rabbiteye blueberries are arguably the easiest blueberries to grow in the South, but they still require two key conditions: acidic soil (pH 4.5–5.5) and at least two different cultivars for cross-pollination. Choose two different named Rabbiteye varieties (Tifblue, Brightwell, Climax, Powderblue, Premier) for best fruit set — planting one of each is sufficient if they bloom simultaneously. Apply 4–6 inches of pine bark mulch over the entire root zone, extending at least 3 feet from the stem. In the Deep South, water weekly during dry periods — Rabbiteye bushes are more drought-tolerant than Northern Highbush types but still need consistent moisture during fruit development. Feed with an acid-forming blueberry fertilizer in early spring and again after harvest; avoid lime or wood ash, which raises pH and will slowly kill blueberry plants. Do not over-fertilize — blueberries are slow feeders. Net heavily when fruits begin to color. Minimal pruning needed in the first 3 years; thereafter, remove one or two of the oldest canes annually to encourage fresh productive wood.

🤝 Companion Plants

These plants grow well alongside Blueberry:

🌿 Related Fruit

More fruit that grow in similar conditions:

❓ Frequently Asked Questions