Blueberry Companion Plants

Choosing the right blueberry companion plants is one of the best ways to ensure a healthy and productive patch. These plants can help your blueberries thrive by improving soil, attracting pollinators, and even keeping pests at bay.

Companion planting is like creating a supportive neighborhood for your garden. For blueberries, which have specific needs like acidic soil, the right neighbors make all the difference. This guide will walk you through the best companions, how to plant them, and why they work so well together.

Not every plant gets along with blueberries. The key is to find plants that enjoy the same growing conditions. Blueberries need full sun and, most importantly, very acidic soil with a pH between 4.5 and 5.5. Their roots are also shallow and fibrous. Ideal companions will tolerate this acidity without competing too aggressively for nutrients and water.

Why Companion Planting Works for Blueberries

Companion plants offer several direct benefits. They can improve soil health, manage moisture, and create a more balanced ecosystem right around your blueberry bushes.

Acidifies the Soil: Some plants help maintain or even lower soil pH, keeping it perfect for blueberries.
Attracts Pollinators: Bees and other beneficial insects are crucial for blueberry flower pollination. More pollinators mean more berries.
Deters Pests: Certain plants repel common blueberry pests through their scent or root systems.
Provides Ground Cover: Low-growing plants suppress weeds and help the soil retain moisture, protecting those shallow blueberry roots.
Adds Nutrients: Legumes, for example, can fix nitrogen in the soil, which blueberries can slowly use.

Top Companion Plants for Blueberries

Here are some of the most effective and reliable plants to grow alongside your blueberries. These are chosen for their compatibility and benifit.

1. Rhododendrons and Azaleas

These showy shrubs are perfect companions. They thrive in the exact same acidic, well-drained soil as blueberries. They won’t compete heavily for nutrients and their larger structure can provide a slight windbreak. Plus, they bloom beautifully, adding to your garden’s appeal.

2. Lingonberries

A fellow acid-loving berry, lingonberries are a fantastic underplanting. They stay low, forming a dense mat that suppresses weeds. They also produce a tasty harvest of their own, making great use of the space under your blueberry canes.

3. Strawberries

As a low-growing ground cover, strawberries work well. They help keep the soil cool and moist. Just ensure they are a variety that tolerates some acidity and be ready to manage their runners so they don’t become too invasive around the blueberry roots.

4. Herbs: Thyme and Basil

Certain herbs are excellent friends. Creeping thyme makes a wonderful, aromatic ground cover that deters some pests. Basil can help repel aphids and mosquitoes, and some gardeners believe it improves flavor of nearby plants. Both enjoy well-drained soil.

5. Flowers: Lupines and Lilacs

Lupines are a powerhouse companion. They are legumes that fix nitrogen, enriching the soil for your blueberries. Their deep taproots also help break up compacted soil. Lilacs, while larger, can serve as a protective border; they attract pollinators and generally prefer a slightly acidic to neutral soil.

6. Cover Crops: Clover

White clover is a great living mulch. It fixes nitrogen, suppresses weeds, and retains soil moisture. It’s soft enough to walk on if you need to harvest and attracts bees. Just mow or trim it occasionally to keep it from getting too tall.

Plants to Avoid Near Blueberries

Just as important as knowing what to plant is knowing what to keep away. Some plants will directly harm your blueberries or create unfavorable conditions.

Tomatoes, Peppers, & Eggplant: These vegetables are prone to verticillium wilt, a soil fungus that can spread to and damage blueberry bushes.
Brassicas (Cabbage, Broccoli): They require a more neutral to alkaline soil, which conflicts directly with the acidic needs of blueberries.
Tall Trees with Aggressive Roots: Trees like walnuts release juglone, a substance toxic to many plants including blueberries. Maples and pines will simply compete to aggressively for water and nutrients.
Most Lawn Grasses: Grass competes fiercely for nutrients and water and typically requires a more neutral pH, making it a poor neighbor.

How to Plant Companions Around Blueberries

Proper layout is crucial for success. Follow these steps to integrate companion plants without stressing your blueberries.

Test Your Soil pH: Before planting anything, test your soil. You need to confirm it’s in the 4.5-5.5 range. You can amend it with elemental sulfur or peat moss if needed.
Consider Mature Size: Sketch a simple layout. Account for the full mature size of both the blueberry bush and it’s companion to avoid overcrowding in a few years.
Respect the Drip Line: For most companions, plant them outside the “drip line” of the blueberry bush (the area directly under it’s outermost branches). This avoids disturbing the critical root zone.
Plant in Stages: If your blueberries are already established, add companions carefully to avoid damaging existing roots. For new plantings, you can install everything at once.
Mulch Generously: After planting, apply a 3-4 inch layer of acidic mulch like pine needles or wood chips. This helps maintain soil moisture and acidity for all the plants.
Water Deeply: Water the entire area thoroughly after planting. Continue with deep, consistent watering, especially in the first season as the plants establish.

Maintaining Your Blueberry Companion Garden

A little ongoing care will keep the whole system working smoothly. The main tasks are feeding, pruning, and monitoring.

Fertilizing: Use an acidic, slow-release fertilizer formulated for blueberries or azaleas in early spring. Avoid over-fertilizing, as blueberries are sensitive to salts.
Pruning: Prune your blueberry bushes in late winter to encourage new growth. Also trim back any companion plants that start to encroach to closely on the blueberry base.
Weeding: While companions reduce weeds, some will still appear. Hand-pull weeds gently to avoid disturbing the shallow roots.
pH Monitoring: Test your soil pH every year or two. Over time, it can creep upwards, requiring an application of soil sulfur to correct it.

FAQ: Blueberry Companion Planting

Can I plant mint with blueberries?

It’s not recommended. Mint is incredibly invasive and its vigorous roots will quickly compete with and overwhelm blueberry roots. If you must, plant it in a deep pot sunk into the ground near, but not to close to, the bushes.

What is the best ground cover for blueberries?

Acid-tolerant, low-growing plants like lingonberries, creeping thyme, or moss phlox are excellent choices. They cover the soil, reduce weeds, and won’t compete to aggressively.

Do blueberries need two plants to produce fruit?

While some varieties are self-pollinating, almost all blueberries will produce a much larger and better-quality harvest if you plant at least two different varieties. This cross-pollination leads to more fruit.

What should I mulch blueberries with?

Use an acidic organic mulch. Pine needles, shredded pine bark, or oak leaf mold are perfect. They help maintain soil acidity as they break down and keep roots cool and moist.

Can lavender grow with blueberries?

This is a tricky pairing. Lavender prefers alkaline, dry, sandy soil, which is the opposite of blueberry needs. While they both like good drainage, the pH conflict makes them poor long-term companions.

By selecting the right blueberry companion plants, you’re building a garden community where each member supports the others. You’ll save time on maintenance, enjoy a healthier ecosystem, and ultimately harvest more plump, juicy berries for your table. Start with one or two compatible companions this season and see the difference it makes.