This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. If you click a link and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.
If your blackberry plant is not growing, the most likely culprits are poor sunlight, bad soil drainage, or an incorrect planting depth.
Blackberry plants are vigorous growers when their basic needs are met, so when growth stalls, something specific is usually off.
Maybe you just brought your blackberry plant home from the nursery and it’s sitting there doing absolutely nothing.
Or maybe it’s been in the ground for a full season and your blackberry plant is not growing at all while the weeds around it are thriving.
Either way, it’s frustrating because blackberries are supposed to be one of the easiest fruiting plants you can grow.
In this post, we’ll dig into the real reasons your blackberry plant is not growing and what you can do to fix it fast.
Let’s get into it.
Why Your Blackberry Plant Is Not Growing
A blackberry plant that is not growing is usually sending you a signal about one of a few common problems.
Here are the main reasons your blackberry plant may be stuck.
1. Not Enough Sunlight
Blackberry plants need at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight every single day.
If your blackberry plant is sitting in partial shade or dappled light, it will survive but it simply will not grow with any real energy.
Sunlight drives photosynthesis, and without enough of it, your blackberry plant can’t produce the sugars it needs to push out new canes.
This is one of the most common reasons a blackberry plant is not growing, especially if it’s planted near a fence, tree, or building that blocks the sun for part of the day.
2. Poor Soil Drainage
Blackberry plants hate soggy roots.
If your soil holds water after rain or irrigation, the roots of your blackberry plant will slowly suffocate and rot.
When that happens, the plant stops growing because it can’t take up nutrients or water properly anymore.
A blackberry plant in heavy clay soil is almost guaranteed to struggle unless you amend the soil or plant in a raised bed.
You can test this by digging a small hole near your blackberry plant and seeing if water pools at the bottom.
If it does, drainage is your problem.
3. Planting Depth Mistakes
This one trips up a lot of new growers.
Blackberry plants should be planted at the same depth they were growing in their nursery pot.
If you bury the crown too deep, your blackberry plant will sit there and do nothing because the growing point is smothered.
Same thing happens if you plant it too shallow and the roots dry out.
If your blackberry plant is not growing after planting, check the crown depth first.
4. Nutrient Deficiencies
Blackberry plants are heavy feeders during the growing season.
If your soil is depleted, your blackberry plant may be starving for nitrogen, phosphorus, or potassium.
Nitrogen especially matters for leafy cane growth.
Without enough of it, your blackberry plant will look pale, stunted, and just sit there.
A soil test is the fastest way to know for sure what your blackberry plant is missing.
5. Transplant Shock
If you just planted your blackberry plant recently, give it a little time.
Transplant shock can stall growth for a few weeks while the roots settle in.
During this time, your blackberry plant may not grow above ground at all because all its energy is going into root establishment.
This is normal, but if your blackberry plant is not growing after a month or two, it’s something else.
How to Get Your Blackberry Plant Growing Again
Fixing a blackberry plant that is not growing starts with figuring out which of the problems above applies to you.
Here’s how to troubleshoot.
1. Move It Into Full Sun
If your blackberry plant is in shade, relocate it or prune back whatever is blocking the light.
Blackberry plants respond fast to more sun, often pushing new growth within a couple of weeks.
2. Improve Drainage
If drainage is the issue, amend your soil with compost or plant your blackberry plant in a raised bed.
You can also build a small mound and plant your blackberry plant on top so water drains away from the crown.
3. Feed at the Right Time
Fertilize your blackberry plant in early spring with a balanced fertilizer.
Avoid feeding late in the season because it encourages tender growth that won’t survive winter.
4. Water Deeply but Not Too Often
Blackberry plants need about one to two inches of water per week.
Water deeply once or twice a week rather than a little bit every day.
5. Prune Dead or Damaged Canes
Sometimes your blackberry plant is not growing because it’s putting energy into old, unproductive canes.
Cut those out and your blackberry plant will redirect energy into new growth.
So, Why Is Your Blackberry Plant Not Growing?
Your blackberry plant is not growing because of sunlight, drainage, planting depth, nutrients, or transplant shock.
Fix the growing conditions and your blackberry plant will start pushing new canes again.
Be patient, check the basics, and give your blackberry plant what it actually needs.
Once you do, you’ll finally see the growth you were waiting for.