Blueberry bushes should be pruned every year to rejuvenate the plant and encourage a good crop of large, plump fruits. Pruning is also essential if youre growing blueberries in a container and want to keep your plants at a manageable size. Here, horticultural expert Mandy Bradshaw shares her step-by-step guide to pruning a blueberry plant.
Growing blueberries in pots has become increasingly popular for gardeners with limited space. The compact size of blueberry bushes makes them an ideal fruit plant for container gardening However, proper pruning is essential to keep potted blueberries healthy and productive This complete guide will teach you when and how to prune blueberry bushes in pots.
When to Prune Blueberries in Pots
Blueberries produce fruit on branches that are at least one year old Therefore, the ideal time to prune is late winter or early spring, before new growth emerges. Pruning in winter allows you to easily identify one-year-old wood that will produce fruit in summer
Aim to prune potted blueberries in late February or early March. This timing maximizes the plant’s health and fruit production.
Signs It’s Time to Prune
- Lack of new growth from the base
- Overcrowded, congested branches
- Small berries
- Reduced yields
- Excessive height that makes harvesting difficult
How Often to Prune Potted Blueberry Bushes
For container blueberries, annual pruning is ideal. Pruning every year:
- Removes old, unproductive branches
- Encourages new fruiting wood
- Maintains a compact, manageable size
Without yearly pruning, potted blueberry plants become overgrown and crowded. Proper pruning improves air circulation and sunlight exposure for better plant health.
Pruning Young vs. Old Bushes
Young bushes (1-2 years old) should be lightly pruned to encourage branching and establish shape. Remove crossed branches and overly dense areas.
Mature bushes (3+ years old) benefit from heavier renewal pruning. Cut 1/3 of the largest, oldest branches to the ground each year to rejuvenate the plant.
Step-By-Step Guide to Pruning Blueberry Bushes in Pots
Follow these steps for successful pruning of potted blueberries:
1. Remove Diseased, Damaged, and Dead Branches
The first step is sanitizing your pruning tools and removing any branches that are diseased, damaged, or dead. Cut these branches off at their base.
2. Thin Out Overcrowded Areas
Look for areas that are congested with too many crossing or rubbing branches. Thin these areas to improve air flow and light penetration.
3. Cut Back Overlong Branches
Identify any branches that have become excessively long and unwieldy. Cut them back to an outward facing bud.
4. Remove Old Wood
Look for thick, gray, older branches with peeling bark. Cut off 1/3 of the oldest, tallest branches each year. This stimulates new growth from the roots.
5. Maintain Ideal Height
Check that the bush will be an easy height for harvesting after pruning. Remove additional branches at the base if needed to keep the bush under control.
6. Remove Flower Buds
Look for plump flower buds on young bushes. Pinch off any flower buds on plants under 3 years old to direct energy towards growth.
7. Shape and Balance
Stand back and check the overall shape after thinning, shortening, and removing old branches. Make any final cuts needed to create an attractive, balanced form.
Pruning Tips for Productive Potted Blueberry Bushes
- Disinfect pruning tools before each cut to prevent disease spread.
- Remove no more than 1/3 of total branches each year.
- Leave a mix of 1, 2, and 3 year old branches after pruning.
- Prune just above an outward facing bud or new branch.
- Water and fertilize after pruning to aid recovery.
- Remove all flowers and fruits from young bushes.
With proper annual pruning and care, blueberry bushes in containers will stay healthy, compact, and incredibly productive for years to come!
See all pruning guides
How to prune a blueberry bush
Cut back the oldest stems each year with clean secateurs : Thompson & Morgan
- For the first two years, the aim of pruning is to create a bush with an open shape that allows air to circulate – think wine goblet.
- Remove branches that are crossing or rubbing against each other to prevent future disease.
- Blueberry bushes sometimes produce horizontal growth close to the ground and this should be pruned off, particularly if the branches are touching the earth.
- Take out any damaged or diseased stems and any that have died back due to cold weather. Remove all of them to a healthy bud. Spindly growth at the end of last year’s fruiting stems should also be taken back to stronger growth.
- On more mature plants, take out no more than a quarter of the oldest branches. These need cutting back to the ground to make way for new growth.
Pruning your blueberry bush every year keeps it in good shape and continually rejuvenates the plant by encouraging it to produce healthy new growth. Watch our short video on how to prune a blueberry bush for a quick recap.
We hope this pruning guide has been helpful. Visit our hub page to learn more about blueberries including how to grow, best varieties and much more.
HOW TO PRUNE A BLUEBERRY BUSH FOR……
FAQ
Should I prune my potted blueberry bush?
Blueberry bushes need to be pruned each year. Pruning helps to maintain the size and shape of the bush to maximize fruit production and increase overall fruit quality.
Should I put coffee grounds around my blueberry bushes?
Giving my blueberry plants some leftover coffee and coffee grounds diluted in water. Adding dried coffee grounds are great for adding acid back into the soil but adding it as a liquid helps the plants absorb it easier. I just save up my coffee grounds and leftover coffee and top with water to keep them moist.
Do blueberries fruit on new or old wood?
Blueberries fruit on one-year-old wood, specifically on the side-shoots that develop from the previous year’s growth.
How do you take care of a potted blueberry bush?
Frequent, light watering is ideal, with an occasional ‘drench’ to eliminate soil salts. Mulch the soil surface with two inches of pine bark or chipped hardwood bark to conserve moisture. Avoid using black containers for planting blueberries as such containers absorb heat leading to more rapid moisture loss.