Whether you garden in the ground, in raised beds, or on the patio, blackberries are a great addition or re-addition to your plant family. Read on for simple, straightforward specifics about growing blackberries.
Jump to:
Family | Container Size | Good Companions | Bad Companions | Soil Conditions | Germination | Sun | Water | Temperature Range | Height | Lifespan | Reproduction | Yield Per Plant | Ingestibility | Further Reading
What Family Do Blackberries Belong To?
Blackberries belong to the Rosaceae family, also known as the rose family.
Some of their relatives include apples, peaches, and strawberries.
There are several species of blackberries, all in the Rubus genus. However, not all Rubus berries are blackberries. For example, this genus also includes raspberries (Rubus idaeus) and salmonberries (Rubus spectabilis).
What Size Container Should I Use for Growing Blackberries?
The minimum container depth recommended for blackberries is 12 inches.
The container should also be as wide as possible, preferable a minimum of 24 inches (2 feet) wide.
Learn more in our Choosing the Right Planter for Your Container Garden article here.
What Are Good Companion Plants for Blackberries?
Some of blackberries' best companions are as follows:
- Grape
- Garlic
- Chives
- Raspberry
- Mints like peppermint and water mint
- Lemon balm
- Strawberry
- Apple
- Elder
- Sunflower
- Pea
- Beans such as green beans
What Are Bad Companion Plants for Blackberries?
Blackberries are not compatible with every plant. Some things to avoid planting with blackberries are as follows:
- Peppers such as habanero and bell pepper
- Tomato
- Eggplant
- Potato
What Soil Conditions Do Blackberries Need?
Blackberries prefer well-draining, sandy to loamy soil with a pH between 5.5 and 6.5.
How Long Do Blackberries Take to Germinate?
Blackberry seeds are typically planted in autumn so that they can undergo a period of cold stratification over winter and then germinate in spring. The cold stratification period should take place at a temperature of 35ºF or lower for 3-6 months.
How Much Sun Do Blackberries Need?
Blackberries can grow in full sun to part shade.
In other words, they grow fastest in full sun. They will still grow in dappled shade or part shade, just at a slower rate. Blackberry plants grown in the shade may also produce fewer flowers and berries than those grown in full sun.
Sun recommendations can vary by region, and blackberries grown in hot areas or in warmer conditions than the ideal temperature range noted below may need more shade.
How Much Water Do Blackberries Need?
Blackberries need 1-2 inches of water per week.
What Is the Ideal Temperature Range for Growing Blackberries?
Blackberries grow fastest in temperatures of 50-90°F.
This is their ideal temperature range. Although they will grow in temperatures both cooler and warmer than this range, the growth could be slower or even stunted.
Minimum and maximum temperatures will vary by variety. Some blackberry varieties are bred for later harvests and others for warmer climates.
How Tall Do Blackberries Get?
The average height of blackberries is 3-4 feet.
Blackberries that grow in canes rather than bushes are typically at least 3-4 feet wide as well.
Are Blackberries Annual, Biennial, or Perennial?
Blackberries are perennial, meaning that they live for longer than a couple years. More specifically, many blackberry plants live for 15-40 years.
How Do Blackberries Reproduce?
Blackberries reproduce by seed, runners, stem cutting, and root cutting.
How Many Blackberries Are Produced Per Plant?
For blackberries, how many are produced per plant (also called the yield) largely depends on the type and, at times, the variety.
Most types of blackberries produce about 1 quart per plant per year.
Can Blackberries Be Ingested?
Blackberry fruits (berries), flowers, and leaves are edible.
Blackberry leaves have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties and can be used in herbal preparations. The most common preparations are tea (infusion) and tinctures. An herb:solvent weight ratio of 1:4 at 40% alcohol is suggested for a blackberry leaf tincture.
There are no known safety concerns associated with ingesting blackberries leaves.
Further Reading
This article is intended as a quick-reference guide for gardeners. Consult your seed packet or seed catalog for variety-specific information.
When you have a bumper crop of blackberries rolling in, you may not have enough time for long, complicated recipes or many-step preservation procedures. Check out my article on quick, simple uses for blackberries here!
Blackberries are featured in these Plant to Plate articles: