Description
Quarantine Note: Due to quarantine restrictions, Thornless Blackberry cannot be sent to Western Australia.
Thornless Blackberry
Thornless blackberry (Rubus fruticosus) is a fast-growing, semi-erect cane that produces abundant, juicy berries without the hassle of thorns. A member of the rose family, it combines classic blackberry flavour with easy handling. Canes grow annually from a perennial crown and benefit from support such as a trellis or wire. Fruit is produced in summer, although timing can vary by region and climate.
Thornless blackberries are self-fertile and well-suited to cool, temperate, and arid climates with defined winters and vigorous spring growth. They handle frost well, thrive with consistent moisture, and should be planted in a permanent position where they can remain productive for years.
Uses & Nutritional Benefits
Perfect for fresh eating, baking, jams, sauces, and freezing. Nutritionally, they’re rich in vitamin C, vitamin K, manganese, dietary fibre, and antioxidants that support immune health and digestion. With no thorns, they’re family-friendly and can be grown in large pots, garden beds, or trained along fences and trellises.
They add structure to edible gardens and suit gardeners wanting productive plants that also look attractive.
Planting & Soil Tips
Plant during winter or early spring while dormant. Choose a sunny position with good airflow. In regions with intense summer heat, some filtered light or afternoon shade helps prevent sunburn and moisture stress. Shelter from strong winds to protect canes.
Allow 2–3 metres between plants for growth, pruning, and easy harvesting.
Before planting, enrich the soil with well-rotted compost or aged manure. If compost isn’t available, use blood and bone or a balanced fertiliser—but not both at once to avoid nutrient imbalance. Aim for slightly acidic soil (pH 6.0–6.5) with good drainage to prevent root problems.
How to Plant
• Dig a hole wide and deep enough to spread roots comfortably.
• Place the plant with the crown at soil level.
• Backfill with original soil or a compost blend.
• Water in well to settle the soil.
• Apply mulch such as straw, sugarcane or compost a few cm from the crown to prevent rot.
Support & Cane Training
Provide a trellis or wire system to support semi-erect canes for better airflow and easier harvesting. Tie canes loosely to avoid damage.
Separate canes by age: keep floricanes on one side and primocanes on the other. This improves airflow, light penetration, and simplifies pruning and harvesting.
Use a fan system or train canes vertically before angling them outward along wires or fences for organised, productive growth.
Watering, Feeding & Seasonal Care
• Spring: Water regularly; apply fertiliser if not done at planting.
• Summer: Deep watering and optional second feed.
• Autumn: Reduce watering; no fertiliser needed.
• Winter: Water only if dry. Add compost and mulch to insulate roots.
Pruning
Thornless blackberries grow on a two-year cane cycle. In the first year, primocanes grow vigorously but don’t produce fruit. These green, flexible canes mature into floricanes in their second year, becoming woody and darker, and bear fruit in summer.
After harvesting, pruning can begin through autumn and winter; in frost-prone areas, late winter is preferable to avoid frost damage to new cuts. Fruited floricanes can be removed immediately after harvest or left until winter. Removing them improves airflow, reduces disease risk, and clears space for new canes.
While floricanes are fruiting, new primocanes grow vigorously. In late summer, tip-prune these canes at 1.2–1.5 m to encourage lateral branching for next season’s fruit.
When pruning, shorten lateral branches to around 30–45 cm and remove any side shoots below 45 cm to improve airflow and reduce disease risk. Retain 5–7 of the strongest new primocanes, removing any that are weak or overcrowded. As plants mature from their third year, they may support up to 10 well-spaced canes. Train the selected canes evenly along a trellis or wire support to keep them organised, improve airflow and light penetration, and make harvesting easier.
This cycle repeats each year.
Harvesting
Harvest when fruit is plump, glossy, and easily detaches. Expect your first harvest in the second year, when primocanes become floricanes. Pick every few days in summer, although in some areas harvesting can run from late spring through autumn depending on climate. Handle berries gently to avoid bruising. Enjoy them fresh, store in the fridge for a few days, or freeze for later use.
Pests & Diseases
Generally low maintenance, but watch for:
• Aphids, mites, fruit fly, and birds—use sprays or netting.
• Botrytis or rust in humid weather—prune regularly and avoid overhead watering.
Keep mulch topped up and the area weed-free to minimise risk.
Growing in Pots
These plants grow well in large containers with quality, free-draining potting mix enriched with compost or slow-release fertiliser. Choose pots with good drainage holes and at least 40 cm diameter. Ensure full sun to part shade and provide a trellis or support system. Water and feed more often, as pots dry out faster and nutrients deplete sooner. Ideal for small spaces and productive patios.
Propagation
Easily propagated through tip layering or hardwood cuttings. Division is not needed, as thornless blackberries don’t form clumping crowns.
Safety
Thornless blackberries are easy to handle and a great choice for families with children and pets. While the berries are edible and delicious, other parts of the plant should not be eaten. It’s best to supervise young children during picking and to avoid eating large amounts of unripe fruit.
Supplied as a bare-rooted cane.