If you've shopped for blueberry plants in Florida, you've likely seen two main types offered: southern highbush and rabbiteye. Both are true blueberries, but they were bred and selected for different climates, and picking the right one for your yard makes a real difference in how well your plants perform. Here's how they compare.
Chill Hour Requirements
The biggest practical difference is chill hours, the number of hours below about 45°F a plant needs during winter dormancy to bloom and fruit well the following spring. Southern highbush varieties were specifically bred with low chill requirements, often 200 to 400 hours, making them well suited to Central and South Florida's mild winters. Rabbiteye varieties typically need more chill, often 400 to 700 hours depending on the cultivar, which makes them a better fit for North Florida, where winters run a bit colder.
Fruit Flavor and Size
Southern highbush berries tend to be larger, with a flavor and texture closer to the blueberries found in grocery stores, tart-sweet with a firm skin. Rabbiteye berries are often smaller with a thicker skin and a distinct, sometimes more tart or "wild" flavor that many longtime Southern gardeners specifically prefer. Both freeze and preserve well.
Growth Habit and Size
Rabbiteye bushes tend to grow larger and more vigorously, often reaching 8 to 15 feet tall if left unpruned, and they're generally more tolerant of a range of soil and growing conditions. Southern highbush plants stay more compact, typically 4 to 6 feet, which makes them a better fit for smaller yards or container growing, though they can be a bit more demanding about consistent moisture and soil acidity.
Pollination Needs
Rabbiteye varieties are largely self-incompatible, meaning you need at least two different rabbiteye varieties planted near each other for good fruit set. Southern highbush varieties are more self-fertile, but even self-fertile types produce better yields and larger berries with a second variety nearby for cross-pollination. Either way, plan on planting at least two varieties.
Disease and Pest Resistance
Rabbiteye types are generally considered tougher and more forgiving, with better natural resistance to some of the diseases that affect blueberries in humid climates. Southern highbush types can be more susceptible to root rot and certain fungal issues if drainage or soil pH isn't dialed in, making site preparation more important with this type.
Which Should You Plant?
If you're in Central or South Florida, southern highbush is generally the better-adapted choice given the region's lower chill hours. If you're in North Florida with colder winters, rabbiteye varieties will perform more reliably and tend to be lower-maintenance once established. Many North Florida growers plant both types to extend the harvest season, since they often ripen at different times.
Browse our full selection of blueberry plants to find southern highbush and rabbiteye varieties suited to your part of Florida.
Want to compare specific cultivars within each type? See our five-way variety comparison covering Legacy, Biloxi, Chandler, Emerald, and Pink Lemonade. Once you've picked a type, our blueberry care guide covers soil, watering, and pruning.
Just brought one home? See our guide to your new blueberry plant's first few weeks for hydration, potting, and planting timing.