Edible plant · fruiting

Haskap

Lonicera caerulea

Also known asHoneyberry · Blue honeysuckle · Sweet berry honeysuckle · Edible blue honeysuckle · Kamtschatica honeysuckle

beginner cool-season continuous

Use in garden planner

Days to harvest

730–1095

Yield / plant

2kg

Spacing

150 cm

Daily light

14–24DLI

Environment

The bounded range this crop tolerates.

Temperature

5152535

-45–28°C

45.578.5

5.5–7.5

EC (hydro)

01234

1–1.6 mS/cm

Daily light

5152535

14–24 mol/m²/d

✓Continuous harvest

Climate and zones

USDA zones: 2–7 (winter low around -46°C)
Frost: very hardy (survives deep cold)
Season: cool (spring/fall)

✓Outdoor year-round (in zone)

·Outdoor in growing season

·Unheated greenhouse / hoop

·Heated greenhouse

·Indoor (heated home)

·Indoor hydroponics + grow lights

Growing systems

Root mass: moderate.

·Deep water culture (rafts)

·NFT channels

·Vertical / aeroponic tower

·Drip / Dutch buckets

·Media bed (ebb and flow)

·Wicking bed

✓Soil bed

Growing media

Medium	pH effect	Retention	Bacterial surface
Soil-based mix (Potting soil)	varies	high	high

Nutrient demand by stage

NPK ratios are relative weights. EC targets shift through the plant's life.

Stage	N	P	K	EC (mS/cm)
seedling	1	1	1	0.6
vegetative	2	1	2	1.3
flowering	1	1	2	1.4
fruiting	1	1	3	1.4

Aquaponics suitability

Not recommended

Fish waste alone doesn't supply enough of what this crop demands. Grows in hybrid systems with supplemental dosing, but expect active management.

Care notes

An easy, ultra-cold-hardy fruit bush for outdoor aquaponics integration in northern climates where blueberries are marginal. Container growing (20 L) or in-ground near the system. EC 1.5-2.5 mS/cm. pH 5.5-7.5 (much more pH-flexible than blueberries, which is a significant practical advantage). Temperature: extremely cold-hardy; requires winter chill but tolerates any amount of cold. Performs well in USDA zones 2-7; may struggle in hot climates (zone 8+). Full sun to partial shade (DLI 14-20 mol/m2/day). Cross-pollination is required: plant at least two different cultivars that bloom at the same time for fruit set. Fruiting begins in the 2nd year from nursery stock. Each mature bush produces 2–5 kg annually. The extremely early ripening (before strawberries) is the primary marketing advantage. Harvest when berries are uniformly dark blue and slightly soft. They bruise easily and store poorly (2-3 days fresh); freeze immediately for best quality. For northern aquaponics growers (Canada, northern US, Scandinavia), haskap fills a niche that no other fruit can match.

Notable varieties

Cultivar	Type	Days	Notes
Aurora	hybrid	1095	University of Saskatchewan 2012 release. The flagship pollinator + producer, considered the best-flavored haskap with sweet hazelnut-noted berries. Reaches 1.8 m. Pairs as pollinator for Borealis, Tundra, Indigo series, Honey Bee. The variety to plant first.
Borealis	hybrid	1095	U of Saskatchewan, the original commercial release that started the modern haskap industry. Large sweet-tart berries hidden under leaves (which protects them from birds). Slightly less vigorous than Aurora. Needs cross-pollination.
Tundra	hybrid	1095	U of Saskatchewan release. Technically self-fertile but yields much higher with Aurora or Berry Blue pollinator. Drought-tolerant once established, urban-tolerant. Reliable for home gardens with consistent moisture.
Indigo Gem	hybrid	1095	U of Saskatchewan Indigo series. Larger berries than Borealis, slightly tangier flavor. Pairs with Aurora. Heavy producer once mature. The variety preferred for jam and processing.
Honey Bee	hybrid	1095	U of Saskatchewan release, vigorous fast-growing companion for Borealis/Tundra/Indigo series. Excellent pollinator. Produces larger fruit than Tundra. Recommended if you can fit a third cultivar.