A blueberry plant fresh off the truck needs a different kind of care than one that's been in the ground for a season. The first few weeks set the tone for how well it establishes, so it's worth taking these steps slowly instead of planting right away.
Check for Shipping Stress
Some leaf yellowing, a bit of drooping, or a few dropped leaves are normal after a few days in transit and don't mean the plant is in trouble. Unpack it as soon as it arrives, set it somewhere with bright, indirect light, and give it a day or two to settle before doing anything else.
Hydrate Before Anything Else
Water the root ball thoroughly as soon as you unbox the plant, since the soil often dries out in shipping. Blueberries like consistently moist, acidic soil, so check the pot daily for the first week and water whenever the top inch feels dry. Avoid letting it sit in standing water.
Keep It in the Pot for Now
Resist the urge to plant immediately. Leaving your blueberry plant in its nursery pot for one to two weeks gives the roots time to recover from shipping stress before they have to deal with new soil. Keep it in a sheltered spot during this period, and continue watering as needed.
Acclimate to Sun Gradually
Blueberries need full sun to fruit well, but a plant that's been indoors or shaded during shipping can scorch if moved straight into direct sun. Start it in a spot with a few hours of morning sun and increasing exposure, over 7 to 10 days, before it's in full sun all day.
When to Plant in the Ground
Once the plant has settled for one to two weeks, is drinking water normally, and has adjusted to full sun, it's ready to go in the ground. Choose a well-draining, acidic spot and follow the steps in our blueberry care guide for soil prep and spacing. If you haven't settled on a variety yet, our blueberry varieties compared guide can help, and if fruiting seems slow to start, see our guide to why blueberry bushes don't produce fruit.