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Kinnikinnick

About Kinnikinnick

Kinnikinnick is a relatively rare houseplant 🌿 that is easy to grow and needs regular watering to thrive. They do best in long-lasting, direct light ☀️ and should be less than 1 foot from a window.

Kinnikinnick likes soil that is well draining. Your plant shouldn't need added fertilizers if you repot each time it doubles in size.

Kinnikinnick belongs to the Arctostaphylos genus, and is native to the Temperate Northern Hemisphere.

Taxonomy

Scientific name

Arctostaphylos uva-ursi

Genus

Arctostaphylos

Family

Ericaceae

Order

Ericales

Also known as

Red bearberry and Bearberry

How to care for Kinnikinnick

💦 Water

How often to water your Kinnikinnick

Kinnikinnick needs 0.5 cups of water every 9 when it doesn’t get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5" pot.

Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Water 0.5 cups every
9

Does your plant get direct sunlight?

No Yes

Select the pot size

☀️ Light

Finding light for Kinnikinnick in your home

Kinnikinnick love being close to bright, sunny windows 😎.

Place it less than 1ft from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.

Kinnikinnick does not tolerate low-light 🚫.

Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Kinnikinnick in your home 🏡.

🪴 Nutrients

How to fertilize Kinnikinnick

Nutrient, fertilizer, and repotting needs for Kinnikinnick: repot after 2X growth

Most potting soils come with ample nutrients which plants use to produce new growth.

By the time your plant has depleted the nutrients in its soil it’s likely grown enough to need a larger pot anyway.

To replenish this plant's nutrients, repot your Kinnikinnick after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

💡 FAQs

⭐ Difficulty Level

Kinnikinnick is generally considered an easy-to-care-for plant and makes a great choice for beginners!

How to Grow Kinnikinnick →

Benefits of Growing Kinnikinnick →

Common Kinnikinnick Problems →

Outdoor Care Guide for Kinnikinnick →

💦 Water Needs

Kinnikinnick prefers for the soil to dry out between waterings and should be watered regularly. Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Kinnikinnick Water Frequency →

Kinnikinnick Root Rot →

☀️ Sunlight Needs

Kinnikinnick requires abundant, bright and direct light. Place it less than one foot from a window to ensure it receives enough light to survive 💪. Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home 🏡.

Kinnikinnick Light Requirements →

Kinnikinnick Direct Sunlight Needs & Tolerance →

🐶 🐈 👶 Toxicity

Kinnikinnick is not known to cause harm to humans or pets. Regardless, if you, a family member, a cat, or dog has ingested any plant material, please consult a doctor or a veterinarian.

🪴 Soil

Kinnikinnick does best in well-draining soil. A good soil will contain lots of organic matter such as coco coir as well as perlite or vermiculite to help with drainage. Adding a handful of perlite to regular store-bought potting soil should do the trick!

Best Soil Mix for Kinnikinnick →

Best Pots for Kinnikinnick →

When and How to Successfully Repot Kinnikinnick →

What Are Healthy Kinnikinnick Roots →

💩 Fertilizer

Kinnikinnick grows very slowly and doesn’t require added fertilizer. Replacing your plant’s potting soil once a year should provide them with more than enough nutrition. Remember, plants get their energy from sunlight, not fertilizer!

How Much and When to Fertilize Kinnikinnick →

⬆️ ⬇️ Growth Pattern

Kinnikinnick grows along the ground and sends out shoots which will spread across the soil.

Kinnikinnick Lifecycle →

Kinnikinnick Size Guide →

How and When to Prune Kinnikinnick →

🌦️ Growing Outdoors

USDA Hardiness Zone
Kinnikinnick can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 2a-6b. Find your local hardiness zone here.

Kinnikinnick Temperature Tolerance →

Kinnikinnick Hardiness Zones →

Landscaping Ideas with Kinnikinnick →

When to Plant Kinnikinnick →

How to Plant Kinnikinnick →

Where to Plant Kinnikinnick →

Winter Care for Kinnikinnick →

Best Companion Plants for Kinnikinnick →

Is Kinnikinnick a Weed? →

🍂 Yellow Leaves

Yellow leaves aren’t always a reason to panic, and can be a normal part of a plant’s life cycle. Unless brand new leaves are turning yellow or all the leaves change color at once, it’s likely just your plant shedding old leaves.

Overwatering and root rot are the most likely cause of problems in Kinnikinnick, since they are sensitive to wet soil. The leaves may also appear to be curling or drooping. Less often, yellow leaves are caused by underwatering, nutrient deficiencies, or pests.

Replace soggy soil with fresh, dry soil and download Greg to make sure your plant never gets overwatered again!

🧐 Troubleshooting

When troubleshooting a sad-looking houseplant, start by checking for signs of distress in its leaves, such as yellowing, browning, or drooping, which can indicate overwatering or nutrient deficiencies.

Inspect the soil moisture; too dry or too wet soil can cause problems.

Ensure the plant is getting the right amount of light, as too much or too little can stress it.

Finally, consider environmental factors like temperature and humidity, and adjust care routines accordingly to revive your plant.