Kinnikinnick is grown for its foliage and the structure it brings to a planting. It's hardy across USDA zones 4 through 10, shrugs off deer and shrugs off dry spells. Its late spring flowers are a moderate draw for native bees.
Zones
4-10
pH Range
5.5-8
Sun
Part Sun
Days to Maturity
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Zone averages can't see the slope, soil, frost, and sun that decide whether kinnikinnick actually takes — and those shift from one yard to the next. Enter your address and we'll score kinnikinnick against your land's real conditions.
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What Kinnikinnick is
Kinnikinnick grows as a perennial and reaches around 6 inches at maturity. It blooms purple in late spring. It's also deer-resistant.
How to grow Kinnikinnick
Kinnikinnick grows in USDA zones 4 through 10. Kinnikinnick does best in part sun — at least 4 hours of direct sun a day — and soil from pH 5.5 to 8. It needs about 800 hours of winter chill, which is why climate matters as much as soil.
USDA Zones
4-10
USDA PHZM 2023
Soil pH
5.5 - 8
USDA PLANTS Database
Sun
Part Sun
plant_species_v5.csv
Drainage
Data pending
plant_species_v5.csv
Frost Tolerance
-33°F
plant_species_v5.csv
Mature Height
0.5 ft
plant_species_v5.csv
Chill Hours
800+
plant_species_v5.csv
Frost-Free Days
0+
plant_species_v5.csv
Start the season right
Plant kinnikinnick in part sun with at least 4 hours of direct sun, once the soil has warmed and frost risk has passed.
Match the soil
Kinnikinnick prefers pH 5.5 to 8 (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.
Keep it in good form
Prune kinnikinnick to shape as it grows; the reward is its foliage and structure, not a harvest, so steady upkeep is the whole job.
Good to know
Good news for pet owners — kinnikinnick isn't known to be toxic to dogs or cats. (Source: ASPCA.)
Kinnikinnick offers moderate value to bees and other pollinators. (Source: Xerces Society, Pollinator Partnership.)
Where Kinnikinnick thrives
Kinnikinnick is hardy across USDA zones 4 through 10. Zone is only the starting point, though: the soil pH, drainage, and frost dates on your specific land decide how well it actually does.
Zones 4–10·Where Kinnikinnick growsOpen map →
On USDA hardiness-zone overlap, Kinnikinnick can grow in these states:
See if Kinnikinnick will thrive on your land
Zone averages are a start. Your exact soil pH, drainage, sun exposure, and frost dates shape whether kinnikinnick 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 Kinnikinnick in my zone?
Kinnikinnick grows in USDA hardiness zones 4 through 10 (USDA PHZM 2023). Zone is one factor — soil pH, drainage, and frost dates on your specific parcel also shape whether it takes.
When should you plant Kinnikinnick?
Most growers plant kinnikinnick after the last spring frost, once the soil has warmed. Your local frost dates set the exact window — a Growable Ground report reads them for your address.
How much sun does Kinnikinnick need?
Kinnikinnick does well in partial sun — around 4 hours of direct sun, and it takes some afternoon shade in stride. That flexibility makes it a good match for a bed the house or a nearby tree shades for part of the day. A Growable Ground report maps how the sun actually falls on your land, hour by hour, so you can set it where the light lines up.
What soil does Kinnikinnick need?
Kinnikinnick prefers soil pH 5.5 to 8 (USDA PLANTS Database). Your report scores your parcel's actual soil against that using USDA SSURGO data.
Does Kinnikinnick attract pollinators?
Yes — kinnikinnick's flowers are a solid nectar source for native bees (Xerces Society, Pollinator Partnership).
Is Kinnikinnick safe for pets?
Kinnikinnick is not known to be toxic to dogs or cats based on available data (ASPCA). Always supervise pets around new plantings.