Wild Strawberry.

En un coup d'œil

Care level

Easy

Plant type

Herbaceous perennial

Light

Partial shade to full sun

Indoor light

bright-indirect

Water

Every 2 to 5 days

Mature size

15 to 20 cm tall

Growth rate

fast

Hardiness

USDA 3 to 10

Bloom time

Late spring to early summer

Entretien

Keep the soil consistently moist but never waterlogged to encourage healthy fruit production. Watch for signs of powdery mildew on the leaves if the air circulation is poor. Mulching around the base helps keep the berries clean and off the damp soil.

Watering

Keep the soil evenly moist throughout the growing season.

Feeding

Apply a balanced organic fertilizer once in early spring.

Pruning

Trim back old foliage in late winter to make room for new growth.

Repotting

Repot when the plant becomes root bound or the runners have filled the container.

Soil

Rich, loamy, well draining soil

Soil pH

Slightly acidic to neutral

Temperature

-25 to 30°C

Humidity

40 to 70%

Drought tolerance

low

Lifespan

Perennial, typically 3 to 5 years.

Fragrance

light

Deer and rabbits

low

Sécurité

People

This plant is non-toxic to humans.

Children

The small berries are safe for children to eat, but always supervise them to ensure they are picking the correct plant.

Contact allergens

Some individuals may experience mild skin irritation from the fine hairs on the leaves.

Airborne allergens

It is not known to be a significant source of airborne allergens.

Edibility

Ensure you identify the plant correctly as wild strawberries are safe, but avoid any areas treated with pesticides.

Comment l'identifier

• Three leaflets with serrated edges
• White flowers with five petals
• Small red conical fruits
• Reddish stems and runners

Height

0.05 to 0.2m

Spread

0.2 to 0.5m

Leaves

green, evergreen

Flowers

white, 1 to 2cm

Fruit

red, Summer

Problèmes courants

• Powdery mildew — A white fungal growth appears on leaves during humid conditions.
• Slugs and snails — These pests feed on the leaves and ripening fruit.

La cultiver

Propagation

division, seed, cuttings

When to plant

spring, autumn

Overwintering

In colder areas, mulch around the plants with straw to protect the crowns from freezing temperatures.

In containers

They grow very well in pots, and a 10 inch diameter container is perfect for a few plants.

Planting strawberries near borage can help improve the flavor and yield of the fruit.

Bonnes associations

• Borage — Borage is a great companion that attracts many pollinators to the strawberry patch.
• Lettuce — They share similar moisture needs and grow well together in partial shade.

À éloigner de

• Cabbage — Cabbage can compete for nutrients and may inhibit the growth of strawberries.

Espèces similaires

• Mock Strawberry — It looks very similar but produces tasteless red fruit and yellow flowers.

Science

Family

Rosaceae

Genus

Fragaria

Order

Rosales

Class

Magnoliopsida

Native range

Temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere.

Conservation

It is widespread and not of conservation concern.

It thrives in woodland edges and clearings where it can spread via runners to form dense colonies.

Value to wildlife

nectar source, wildlife food source

Pollinators

bees, beetles

Uses

ground cover, edible landscaping, culinary fruit

Taxonomie vérifiée avec le GBIF.

Ce qu'on demande souvent

Can I grow these in pots?

Yes, they thrive in containers and look lovely trailing over the edges.

How often should I water them?

Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged.

D'où vient le nom

Fragaria comes from the Latin word for fragrant, referring to the scent of the fruit. Vesca means edible or small.

Bon à savoir

• The fruit is much smaller and more flavorful than the common garden strawberry.
• It spreads easily through runners.
• The plant is a member of the rose family.