Growing blueberries in containers has become a wildly popular trend in the past few years. The plant requires a specific set of conditions to grow well and produce a great yield. There is a long list of needs that a healthy blueberry plant requires, including soil with an acidic pH of 4.5 to 5.5, enough sunlight and warmth, a damp growing medium, and more. Interestingly enough, planting the blueberries directly in the ground does not always meet all these requirements. But, growing them in a pot does. That being said, growing blueberries requires pots with a particular set of design specifications. Here is a handy guide to help gardeners identify the best pots for growing substrate blueberries.

Give them Space

Blueberries come in a variety of plant sizes, but the smallest ones are around 1 to 3 feet tall. This demands a pot that can take the weight of the plant and is big enough to balance its size. Moreover, blueberry plants come with an extensive fibrous root system, which needs space to grow and absorb nutrients. Blueberries also require other blueberry plants for pollination. In other words, without the additional plants, there will be no blueberries.

Gardeners should turn to pots like the 40-liter round pot is one of the best pots for growing substrate blueberries.  The legs do no let the pot sink in the ground even if it is placed on soft soil.

best pot for growing blueberries

Growing Blueberries Needs the Sun

One of the most important requirements of  growing blueberries is sufficient sunlight. Growing blueberries in pots makes it easier to supply the sunlight, since the pots can be easily moved to areas that get more sunlight throughout the day. Black pots, in particular, help blueberries absorb and maintain the warmth of the sun because black is a bad conductor of heat.

So, if you are searching for a blueberry pot, pick a black one.

Enough Dampness

While growing blueberries, another critical requirement is never to let the soil dry out. During the summer seasons, blueberry plants should be frequently watered. In the water months, the frequency of irrigation can be reduced, but gardeners should water immediately if the soil shows signs of dryness. It is essential to follow such a regimen while growing blueberries. Once the soil dries, the fibrous roots will stop growing in that direction. This will lead to stunted growth of the roots, which will reduce the surface area for absorption of nutrients. This will have a direct impact on the quality of the fruit as well as the quantity of the produce.

Therefore, the best pots for growing substrate blueberries are those that do not allow the soil to dry out, while simultaneously draining out the excess water. The design of the 30-liter drainage collection pot will work well for blueberry plants. The 30-liter capacity allows the pot to accommodate plenty of water. On the other hand, the 7 center holes enable it to drain out the excess water collected at the bottom. The gutter at the bottom collects all the water, which can be used again for minimizing water wastage.

Aerated Roots Grow Well

The fibrous root system of the blueberry plant needs excellent air circulation. Blueberries need their water. During the winter months, excess water can accumulate and smother the roots by cutting down their oxygen supply. In such conditions, gardeners need pots that can provide the much-needed aeration to the roots.

Products like the 25-liter wide legged pots work best in such situations. They have multiple design elements that combat the problem of poor circulation of air. It has a whopping 60 holes in the centre of the pot that keep the air flowing from the bottom. The pyramid-shaped base of the pot also allows the excess water to drain out quickly, so that there is no water logging. Lastly, the legs connected to the pot serve a dual purpose. They elevate the pot and provide a better flow of air. Also, these legs are connected to the holes on the edge and prevent the drainage surface tension from building up. This drainage into high air flow area also encourages self-root pruning.

Making the right choice

Blueberries are one of the most popular berry products on the market. So, it makes sense to invest time and effort into finding the best pots for growing substrate blueberries. It is important to pick the products that offer a smart design to address the typical challenges faced by gardeners while growing blueberries. Once the gardeners can figure out the winning formula, they can benefit from the returns of one plant for multiple years.