Fruit · Ground Berry
Strawberry
Fragaria × ananassa
A low-growing perennial that spreads by runners and produces sweet berries close to the ground. Reaches full production in its second or third year, and mulching keeps fruit clean and off damp soil.
At a glance
Water
Medium
24–40 fl oz/wk
Light
Full sun
6–10 hrs/day
Space
Small
15 in
To maturity
365–730 days
Edible parts: Fruit
Family: Rose
Includes strawberries, apples, and roses. Most edible members produce fruit that develops from a five-petaled flower.
Harvest
Pick when fully red with no white shoulders; berries don't continue to ripen once removed from the plant.
Growing conditions
- Temperature
- 35–80 °F
- Soil pH
- 5.5–6.8
- Soil type
- Sandy loam, well-drained, rich in organic matter
- Climate
- Cold-hardy perennial; most varieties need a winter chilling period to flower and fruit well.
- Growing season
- Plant in early spring or early fall; expect a light first-year harvest, full production from year two.
- Nitrogen
- Low (≈20–40 ppm)
- Humidity
- Medium (≈40–70 %)
- Planting unit
- Seedling
- Feeding schedule
- Light feeding in early spring and again after the first harvest; too much nitrogen produces lush leaves at the expense of fruit.
- Pest resistance
- Moderate - watch for slugs and spider mites, and for grey mould in humid, still conditions
- Pests
- Slugs and snails: Molluscs that rasp ragged holes in leaves and leave a slime trail, mostly feeding at night in damp conditions., Spider mites: Tiny arachnids that cause fine stippling on leaves and fine webbing, most active in hot, dry conditions.
- Pruning
- Trim off excess runners unless propagating new plants; remove dead or diseased leaves after harvest.
Where it grows
- Container / PotIdeal— Does well in pots, hanging baskets, or strawberry jars.
- In-Ground GardenIdeal
- Raised BedIdeal
- HydroponicPossible— Works in NFT or vertical tower systems designed for berries.
- Vertical / TrellisPossible— Runners can be trained up a support to save floor space.
- WindowsillPossible— Needs 6+ hours of light; grow light recommended indoors.
Companions & antagonists
- Beneficial: Green Bean — Beans host nitrogen-fixing bacteria that enrich the soil for strawberries, and are reported to help repel some beetles; bush types can be interplanted closely.
Sources
- Growing Strawberries in the Home Garden — Ohio State University, College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences
- Growing strawberries in your home garden — Oregon State University Extension Service
- Companion Vegetable Garden Plants — Ask Extension