Plant Care Bearberry

Bearberry

Also known as

Kinnikinnick, Kinnikinnick and Red bearberry

Taxonomy

Arctostaphylos uva-ursi
Arctostaphylos
Ericaceae
Ericales

How to care for Bearberry

💦 Water

How often to water your Bearberry

Water needs for Bearberry
0.5 cups
every 9

Bearberry 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.

Calculate water needs of Bearberry

Water 0.5 cups every
9

Does your plant get direct sunlight?

Select the pot size

5"
☀️ Light

Finding light for Kinnikinnick in your home

Light needs and placement for plant Bearberry: 1ft from a window
1ft or less from
a window

Bearberry love being close to bright, sunny windows 😎.

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

Bearberry does not tolerate low-light 🚫.

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

🪴 Nutrients

How to fertilize Bearberry

Nutrient, fertilizer, and repotting needs for Bearberry: 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 Bearberry after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

💡 FAQs
⭐ Difficulty Level

Bearberry 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

Bearberry 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

Bearberry 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

Bearberry 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.

Is Kinnikinnick Edible? →

Kinnikinnick Toxicity to Cats →

Kinnikinnick Toxicity to Dogs →

Kinnikinnick Toxicity to Humans →


🪴 Soil

Bearberry 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

Bearberry 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

Bearberry 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
🍂 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 Bearberry, 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.


Care Summary for Bearberry

Bearberry

Bearberry


Greg recommends:

Water

0.5 cups every 9 days

Placement

< 1ft from a window

Nutrients

Repot after 2x growth

Based on the 4” pot your plant is in, and that it doesn’t get direct sunlight.

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