Your Cool Home is supported by its readers. Please assume all links are affiliate links. If you purchase something from one of our links, we make a small commission from Amazon. Thank you!
To keep blackberry bushes from growing back, you have to remove the entire root system, not just the visible canes.
Blackberry bushes are notorious for sending up new shoots from underground runners and deep roots, so chopping them down at ground level simply won’t cut it.
If you’ve been battling blackberry bushes that keep growing back no matter what you do, you’re not alone.
The key to stopping blackberry bushes from growing back is understanding how they spread and then attacking them at the source.
In this post, we’ll walk through proven ways to keep blackberry bushes from growing back, from digging out roots to using smothering techniques that actually work.
Let’s dig in.
Why Blackberry Bushes Keep Growing Back
Blackberry bushes keep growing back because their root systems are aggressive and persistent.
Here’s what’s happening underground when you try to get rid of them:
1. Deep, Stubborn Root Systems
Blackberry bushes develop extensive root networks that can go several feet deep.
Even if you pull up the visible plant, tiny root fragments left in the soil can regenerate into brand-new blackberry bushes.
This is why a single missed piece of root can undo hours of digging.
2. Underground Runners Spread Everywhere
Blackberry bushes don’t just grow from seed.
They send out horizontal runners called rhizomes that creep under the soil surface and pop up as new plants.
Cutting the top growth does nothing to stop these runners from pushing up fresh canes a few feet away.
3. Canes Root at the Tips
Another sneaky trick blackberry bushes use is tip rooting.
When a cane bends over and touches the ground, it can root right there and form a whole new plant.
That’s why blackberry bushes seem to spread like wildfire if you leave them alone for even one season.
4. Seeds Stay Viable for Years
Even if you remove every cane and root, seeds dropped by birds or earlier fruiting can stay dormant in the soil for years.
When conditions are right, those seeds sprout and you’re back to square one with new blackberry bushes.
How to Keep Blackberry Bushes From Growing Back
Keeping blackberry bushes from growing back requires a combination of physical removal and ongoing suppression.
Here are the most effective methods:
1. Dig Out the Entire Root Ball
The most direct way to keep blackberry bushes from growing back is to dig them out completely.
Use a sturdy shovel or mattock to loosen the soil around the base.
Then work your way down and outward, pulling up every root you can find.
Blackberry roots are usually orange-brown, so they’re easier to spot against dark soil.
Sift through the dirt with your hands or a garden fork to catch any fragments.
If you leave pieces behind, those blackberry bushes will grow back.
2. Smother the Area with Cardboard and Mulch
If digging isn’t practical, smothering is your next best bet for keeping blackberry bushes from growing back.
Start by cutting all canes down to the ground.
Then lay down a thick layer of plain cardboard, overlapping the edges by at least six inches.
Cover the cardboard with four to six inches of wood chips, bark mulch, or compost.
This blocks sunlight and prevents new blackberry bushes from getting the energy they need to survive.
Leave the smothering layer in place for at least one full growing season, and reapply mulch as it breaks down.
3. Use Repeated Cutting to Starve the Roots
If you can’t dig or smother, you can starve blackberry bushes by cutting them back relentlessly.
Every time new canes appear, cut them to the ground.
Do this every week or two during the growing season.
Without leaves to photosynthesize, the roots eventually run out of energy.
It’s not instant—this method can take a year or more—but it will keep blackberry bushes from growing back if you stay consistent.
4. Apply Herbicides Carefully
For severe infestations, herbicides can help keep blackberry bushes from growing back.
Look for products containing glyphosate or triclopyr, which are effective on woody plants.
Cut the canes and paint the herbicide directly onto the fresh cut stumps.
This sends the chemical straight into the root system.
Always follow label directions and avoid spraying near desirable plants, since these herbicides kill broadleaf plants indiscriminately.
5. Solarize the Soil
Solarization is a great way to keep blackberry bushes from growing back in sunny climates.
Mow or cut the blackberry bushes to the ground first.
Water the area thoroughly, then cover it with clear plastic sheeting.
Seal the edges with soil or rocks so heat can’t escape.
Leave the plastic in place for four to six weeks during the hottest part of summer.
The trapped heat kills roots, seeds, and any remaining plant tissue.
6. Maintain a Watchful Eye
Even after you’ve removed the main plants, blackberry bushes can try to make a comeback.
Walk the area every week or two during spring and summer.
Pull or dig any new shoots immediately before they get established.
Staying on top of regrowth is the simplest way to keep blackberry bushes from growing back long-term.
7. Plant Competitively or Replant the Area
Nature hates bare ground, and if you leave it empty, blackberry bushes will happily move back in.
Plant fast-growing ground covers like clover, creeping thyme, or native grasses.
These plants shade the soil and compete for water and nutrients, making it much harder for blackberry bushes to grow back.
You can also replant with desirable shrubs or a lawn to fill the space.
So, How Do You Keep Blackberry Bushes From Growing Back?
You keep blackberry bushes from growing back by removing the entire root system and then staying vigilant about regrowth.
Digging, smothering, repeated cutting, targeted herbicides, solarization, and competitive planting all work together to stop those stubborn roots from sending up new canes.
The most important thing is consistency—blackberry bushes are survivors, and they’ll test your patience.
But if you combine methods and keep at it, you can absolutely keep blackberry bushes from growing back for good.