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Bearberry

Arctostaphylos uva-ursi
Edible value6Medicinal value8
Shrub0.1×1.5 mzone 4–8full shade🍎 Edible

Will it grow where I live?

Bearberry is hardy to zone 4 – that covers all of Central Europe and the British Isles, and every USDA zone from 4 upwards.

Or check it for your location right here:

Winter hardiness by USDA zone, summer warmth by heat sum – the same values the app and the plant finder use.

Profile

Family
Ericaceae
Habit
Shrub
Height
0.1 m
Spread
1.5 m
Growth
slow
Lifespan
50 years
First yield
after 3 years
Hardiness
zone 4–8
Shade tolerance
full shade
Soil
Sand, Silt
Soil moisture
semi-dry – very moist
pH
4.5 – 6
evergreen

Uses

Edible6 of 10
Medicinal8 of 10

Frequently asked questions

Bearberry: how big does it get?

Bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) grows as a Shrub and reaches roughly 0.1 m in height when mature, with a spread of about 1.5 m. Growth is slow.

Bearberry: what site does it need?

Bearberry tolerates full shade. Suitable soils are Sand, Silt. Soil moisture should be in the range semi-dry – very moist. The pH may lie between 4.5 and 6.

Bearberry: is it hardy?

Bearberry is listed as hardy in zone 4–8 and survives normal winters outdoors there.

Bearberry: will it grow in Central Europe?

Bearberry is hardy to zone 4 – that covers all of Central Europe and the British Isles, and every USDA zone from 4 upwards.

Bearberry: is it poisonous?

No toxicity is recorded for Bearberry. With wild plants, never rely on a database alone — only on a confident identification.

Bearberry: what is it used for?

Rated on a scale up to 10: Edible 6/10, Medicinal 8/10.

Community experience

No first-hand reports for this plant yet.

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