Grow Cloudberries – How to Succeed with the Gold of the Forest in Your Garden
Being able to pick your own cloudberries directly from the garden sounds like a dream to many berry lovers. Cloudberries are often called “the gold of the forest” because of their golden color and unique, aromatic flavor. Although they primarily grow wild in the bogs and wetlands of northern Sweden, it is actually possible to grow cloudberries yourself with a bit of patience and the right conditions.
Where Do Cloudberries Grow?
In nature, cloudberries grow in sunny, moist bogs, mires, and marshlands. They are closely related to raspberries, but the plant itself is much lower – only about 10–25 cm tall – and spreads via creeping rhizomes. Cloudberries are perennial herbs with round, slightly wrinkled leaves that resemble miniature water lily leaves. In early summer (usually in late May), cloudberries bloom with white, five-petaled flowers close to the ground.
One important thing to know is that cloudberries have separate female and male plants (they are dioecious). This means that wild populations may sometimes consist mostly of male or female plants, resulting in cloudberry plants without any berries. Frost can also affect fruiting – if the early flowers are damaged by late spring frost, there may be fewer berries that year. In addition, the plant needs time to recover after a heavy harvest; a year with abundant cloudberries is often followed by a leaner year. A bit of luck and patience is therefore needed even in the wild when going cloudberry picking.
When Are the Berries Ripe?
Cloudberries ripen in July–August depending on local climate. Unripe cloudberries are firm, red, and have a sour taste. As they mature, the color changes to a warm orange-yellow and the berries become soft and juicy. At first, they are surrounded by green sepals that split open as the berries ripen. Fully ripe cloudberries detach easily from the plant when picked – a good indicator that they are ready for harvest. It is important to be patient and allow the berries to ripen fully on the plant, as they do not ripen well after picking. When the cloudberries are golden yellow, soft, and almost translucent, it is time to harvest them.
Can You Grow Cloudberries in the Garden?
Yes, it is actually possible to grow cloudberries in the garden – provided you can mimic their natural environment. The key is to create an acidic bed that resembles a moist bog, with acidic, peat-rich soil and consistent moisture. Cloudberries prefer a low pH (around 4–5) and constant moisture, but they must not sit in standing water. Here are some tips to succeed with cultivation:
Create an acidic bed or growing box: Choose a sunny and sheltered spot in the garden. Dig a pit and place pond liner fabric at the bottom (and preferably along the sides as well) to retain moisture, or use a large raised bed or planting box lined with pond liner or plastic. This creates an artificial bog where water is retained longer in the soil.
Fill with suitable soil: Use rhododendron soil or another lime-free acidic mix rich in peat. You can also mix regular garden soil with generous amounts of unfertilized peat or sphagnum moss. The soil should be loose and rich in organic matter but with a low pH. Avoid adding lime – cloudberries do not tolerate calcareous soil.
Plant cloudberry plants: Purchase cloudberry plants from a reputable nursery. Remember that you usually need both male and female plants to produce berries. Place the plants a few decimeters apart in the prepared acidic bed. If you manage to obtain the self-fertile variety ‘Nyby’ (a Finnish cultivated variety), only one variety is needed, as Nyby has both stamens and pistils on the same plant and can bear fruit on its own. Gently firm the soil around the roots and water thoroughly after planting.
Care – water and nutrients: Cloudberries require a steady supply of water. Water regularly to keep the soil consistently moist, especially during warm summer days, but make sure the soil does not become waterlogged. A useful method is to check the soil a few centimeters down with your finger – it should feel moist but not muddy. Fertilize very sparingly; cloudberries have modest nutrient requirements. A small amount of well-rotted manure or specialized berry fertilizer in early spring is usually sufficient. Too much fertilizer or the wrong type can harm the plants, so be cautious and avoid any form of lime.
Protect and overwinter the plants: Because cloudberry flowers are sensitive to frost, it may be wise to cover the plants with horticultural fleece during cold spring nights when they begin to bloom. In autumn, as the plant starts to die back, apply a layer of bark mulch or dry leaves over the bed. This helps insulate the roots against severe cold and retains moisture over winter. The cloudberry plant normally dies back completely above ground during winter, so do not be alarmed if it seems to disappear – the reddish bud at ground level overwinters and sends up new shoots the following spring.
Extra Tips for Success
Patience pays off: It may take a couple of years before cloudberry plants are fully established and begin to produce a harvest. Be patient – much of the first year’s energy goes into root development and adaptation.
Weed carefully: Weeds compete for nutrients and moisture, so remove them from the acidic bed. However, pull weeds gently by hand; digging with tools can damage the shallow cloudberry roots.
Monitor moisture even in winter: During winter and early spring, the peat bed can dry out if there is little snow. Check occasionally during mild spells and water lightly if the peat feels too dry.
With proper care and a bit of luck, your cloudberry plants will reward you. When harvest time arrives in mid-summer, you can enjoy the sight of golden berries glowing against the green, moss-like ground cover. Imagine the joy of tasting your own homegrown cloudberry jam, served with freshly baked waffles or ice cream! Growing cloudberries may require patience and attention, but the reward – the gold of the forest from your own garden – is well worth the effort. Good luck with your cloudberry cultivation!
Author: Emma Vogiatzi
Fact-checked by: Erik Hoekstra
Last updated: 2025-11-27