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American cranberry

Vaccinium macrocarpon

Last reviewed: October 2026

American cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) is a perennial shrub native to CT, DC, DE, IL and 18 more states. It blooms in June and July. The flowers draw bumble bees and honey bees.

American cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon)
Photo: (c) Lisa Wiencek Gerbec, some rights reserved (CC BY)

Toxicity unknown

American cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

Light

full sun

Water

high

Size

2"–8" H × 24"–60" W

Bloom

Jun, Jul

Native to

CT, DC, DE, IL and 18 more states

Pollinators

bumble bees, honey bees

Before you buy

Your city may pay you to plant this

Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 459 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

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Browse plants for this ecoregion

Northern Lakes and ForestsNorth Central Hardwood ForestsSoutheastern Wisconsin Till PlainsCentral Corn Belt PlainsEastern Corn Belt PlainsSouthern Michigan/Northern Indiana Drift PlainsHuron/Erie Lake PlainsNortheastern HighlandsNortheastern Coastal ZoneNorthern Allegheny PlateauErie Drift PlainNorthern ForestsMiddle Atlantic Coastal PlainNorthern PiedmontSoutheastern PlainsBlue RidgeRidge and ValleyCentral AppalachiansWestern Allegheny PlateauAcadian Plains and HillsEastern Great Lakes LowlandsAtlantic Coastal Pine Barrens

A low, trailing evergreen shrub with small, wiry stems and tiny oval leaves that form a dense mat over wet, acidic soil. Produces small pink, reflexed flowers in early summer followed by the familiar tart red berries in fall.

Growing American cranberry

Grow American cranberry in full sun and high water. Mature plants reach 2 to 8 inches tall and spread 24 to 60 inches wide.

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Wildlife value

The nodding pink flowers require buzz pollination and are visited mainly by bumble bees, and the berries persist into winter as a food source for birds.

Common questions

How much sun does American cranberry need?
American cranberry grows best in full sun conditions.
When does American cranberry bloom?
American cranberry blooms in June and July.
Where is American cranberry native?
American cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) is native to CT, DC, DE, IL and 18 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
What pollinators does American cranberry attract?
American cranberry draws bumble bees and honey bees.

Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

If something looks wrong

Common plant problems, and what to check first

These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.

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