Plant Details

Vaccinium vitis idaea

Cowberry, Lingonberry, Northern mountain cranberry, Cranberry

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Explore the size, hardiness, soil, light, edible uses and harvest period of Vaccinium vitis idaea.

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Common names

7 names · 3 languages
EnglishYour language
  • Cowberry
  • Cranberry
  • Lingonberry
+1 more nameShow fewer names
  • Northern mountain cranberry
Other languages (2)
Dutch
  • Rode bosbes
  • Vossenbes
French
  • Airelle rouge
Sources & name notes

Names recorded in our plant catalogue, grouped by language. Usage can vary by region.

General information

Scientific name: Vaccinium vitis idaea
Accepted name (Kew): Vaccinium vitis-idaea View name reference ↗

Accepted in the cited taxonomic treatment. Botanical references may use alternative names.

Sources [1]
Botanical family: Ericaceae

Kew's family placement for the genus Vaccinium (WCVP v16).

Sources [1]
Also known as: Cowberry, Lingonberry, Northern mountain cranberry, Cranberry

Plant characteristics

Layer: Herbaceous, Ground cover
Catalogue size class: Small
Height: 0.30 m
Spread: 1.00 m
Growth rate: Moderate
Foliage: Evergreen

Growing conditions

USDA hardiness: 3-8
Soil moisture:
Moist
Soil:
Sand (light) Loam (medium)
pH:
Acidic
Light:
Partial shade, Full sun

Uses

Edible parts:
Fruit, Tea
Edibility rating:
(3)
Medicinal rating:
(2)
Functions:
Dye, Bee forage, Ground cover

Description

Fruit: edible both raw and cooked. The berries are delicious to eat and have a sour taste that becomes even better after frost. They are often used as cranberries in preserved products. Sometimes the harvest of the berries can take place twice a year. The fruits are about 6 mm in diameter. Leaves: Tea can be made from the leaves; however, it should be consumed in moderation as the leaves contain the toxic substance arbutin.

Harvest

Harvest starts: 15/08
Harvest ends: 31/10

Sources and references

References for the information marked with source numbers on this page.

Sources checked
  1. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew World Checklist of Vascular Plants, version 16, extracted 4 June 2026
    Supports: TaxonomyBotanical family
    Relevant sections
    • Taxonomy: WCVP version 16, wcvp_names.csv: Vaccinium vitis-idaea L., name ID 2457314, row 595553
    • Botanical family: WCVP v16, wcvp_names.csv row 189682; name ID 2459130; Vaccinium L.. Family column.

    Source checked on .

    Source data licence: CC BY 3.0.