Bearberry is a cover crop — grown to build and protect the soil rather than for a harvest of its own. Notably, it shrugs off deer and shrugs off dry spells. Its spring flowers are a moderate draw for native bees.
Zones
Data not available
pH Range
4-6
Sun
Full Sun
Days to Maturity
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Score Bearberry on your exact land.
Zone averages can't see the slope, soil, frost, and sun that decide whether bearberry actually takes — and those shift from one yard to the next. Enter your address and we'll score bearberry against your land's real conditions.
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What Bearberry is
Bearberry grows as a perennial and reaches around a foot at maturity. It blooms white in spring. It's also deer-resistant.
How to grow Bearberry
Bearberry does best in full sun — at least 6 hours of direct sun a day — and soil from pH 4 to 6, on fast-draining ground. It needs a growing season of at least 60 frost-free days and about 800 hours of winter chill, which is why climate matters as much as soil.
USDA Zones
Data not available
USDA PHZM 2023
Soil pH
4 - 6
USDA PLANTS Database
Sun
Full Sun
plant_species_v5.csv
Drainage
excessive (dry/moderately dry)
plant_species_v5.csv
Mature Height
1 ft
plant_species_v5.csv
Chill Hours
800+
plant_species_v5.csv
Frost-Free Days
60+
plant_species_v5.csv
Start the season right
Plant bearberry in full sun with at least 6 hours of direct sun, once the soil has warmed and frost risk has passed.
Match the soil
Bearberry prefers pH 4 to 6 (USDA PLANTS Database). A quick soil test from your local Extension lab tells you whether to add lime or sulfur to land in band.
Water steadily
Keep the root zone evenly moist through establishment. Match watering to the plant's drainage preference and your local rainfall.
Turn it in before it seeds
Cut bearberry down or turn it into the soil before it sets seed, while the growth is still green — that's when it returns the most to the ground.
Good to know
Good news for pet owners — bearberry isn't known to be toxic to dogs or cats. (Source: ASPCA.)
Bearberry offers moderate value to bees and other pollinators. (Source: Xerces Society, Pollinator Partnership.)
Where Bearberry thrives
Whether bearberry thrives on a given site comes down to its soil pH, drainage, sun, and frost dates — the conditions that vary parcel to parcel.
See if Bearberry will thrive on your land
Zone averages are a start. Your exact soil pH, drainage, sun exposure, and frost dates shape whether bearberry actually takes — we score it against the real conditions at your address.
Three things about your exact spot that zone averages miss:
We read public map data for this spot — soil, climate, flood, and parcel records. How we handle your address.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I grow Bearberry in my zone?
Zone data for bearberry is being finalized. A Growable Ground report checks your parcel's full suitability against federal soil, climate, and zone data.
When should you plant Bearberry?
Most growers plant bearberry after the last spring frost, once the soil has warmed, leaving enough of the season for its 60-day frost-free need. Your local frost dates set the exact window — a Growable Ground report reads them for your address.
How much sun does Bearberry need?
Bearberry needs full sun — a spot that catches at least 6 hours of direct summer sun a day. In more shade it still grows, but usually gives a smaller, later crop. The catch is that a yard rarely gets even light everywhere — a fence, the house, or one tall tree can quietly take those hours. A Growable Ground report reads the real sun-hours across your land, canopy and buildings included, so you can pick the brightest bed before you plant.
What soil does Bearberry need?
Bearberry prefers soil pH 4 to 6, on fast-draining ground (USDA PLANTS Database). Your report scores your parcel's actual soil against that using USDA SSURGO data.
Does Bearberry attract pollinators?
Yes — bearberry's flowers are a solid nectar source for native bees (Xerces Society, Pollinator Partnership).
Is Bearberry safe for pets?
Bearberry is not known to be toxic to dogs or cats based on available data (ASPCA). Always supervise pets around new plantings.