🍎 Cranberry
Vaccinium macrocarpon
fruits perennial groundcover
☀️ Sun
full sun
💧 Water
consistently moist to wet; commercial bogs flooded seasonally
🗺️ Zones
2–7
🪴 Soil Type
acidic peat or sandy soil with high water table
🧪 Soil pH
4.0–5.5 (very acidic)
📏 Spacing
12-18 in. apart (groundcover; fills in via runners; plant in 4x4 ft beds)
📅 Days to Maturity
2-3 years (from planting); full production at 3-5 years
🍴 Edible Parts
🍽️ ["Fruit"]
🤝 Companions (6)
Identical soil pH and moisture; different heights maximize space; shared pollinators
🤝 Lingonberry
Same Vaccinium family; identical needs; natural understory combination
🤝 Pine / Conifer (nearby)
Acidifying needle drop; mycorrhizal network sharing
Nutrient mulch; tolerates moist acidic soil surprisingly well
Tolerates acidic conditions; nitrogen source
Identical ericaceous soil requirements; windbreak; aesthetic companion
⚠️ Keep Apart (3)
⚠️ Brassicas
Alkaline soil conflict
⚠️ Walnut trees
Juglone sensitivity
⚠️ Most vegetables
pH mismatch — few vegetables tolerate cranberry-level acidity
💊 Medicinal Uses
Contains proanthocyanidins (A-type PACs) that prevent bacterial adhesion to urinary tract walls. Clinically proven for UTI prevention. Rich in antioxidants, vitamin C, and quercetin. Traditional Native American remedy for bladder and kidney ailments, wound healing (poultice), and as a food preservative. Also used for stomach ulcers and oral health.