American cranberry
Vaccinium macrocarpon
Last reviewed: September 2026
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 452 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.
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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.
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.
- It is dying right after planting
- Leaves turning yellow
- Wilting even though I watered it
- Brown crispy leaf tips
- Bugs on the plant
Ready to grow American cranberry? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.
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