How often should I water them?

Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged, especially during fruit development.

Why are my berries small?

This often happens due to lack of sunlight, poor soil nutrients, or insufficient pollination.

Plant guide

Strawberry.

Fragaria × ananassa

Pronounced fra-GAIR-ee-uh uh-nuh-NAS-uh

Also known as Fragaria × ananassa, Garden Strawberry, Strawberry, cultivated strawberry, dessert strawberry

woodland strawberry — Photo by John Barkla (CC BY) via iNaturalist

Strawberries are popular perennial plants that produce delicious red fruit. They thrive in sunny spots with well draining soil. You will enjoy harvesting these sweet berries throughout the warmer months.

At a glance

Care level: Moderate
Plant type: Perennial
Light: Full sun
Indoor light: direct
Water: Every 2 to 4 days
Mature size: 30cm tall by 60cm wide
Growth rate: fast
Hardiness: USDA 5 to 8
Bloom time: Mid to late spring

Care

Keep the soil consistently moist but never waterlogged to prevent root rot. Watch for signs of fungal issues like powdery mildew on leaves or gray mold on ripening fruit. Ensure good air circulation around the plants to keep them healthy.

Watering: Water deeply at the base of the plant to keep the soil evenly moist.
Feeding: Apply a balanced fertilizer during the active growing season.
Pruning: Remove dead leaves and excess runners to focus energy on fruit production.
Repotting: Refresh the soil or move to a larger container if the plant becomes root bound.
Soil: Loamy, rich, well draining soil
Soil pH: 5.5 to 6.5
Temperature: -10 to 30°C
Humidity: 40 to 60%
Drought tolerance: low
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 3 to 5 years.
Fragrance: strong
Deer and rabbits: low

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes.
Water running straight through the pot without soaking in.
The plant has become root bound and growth has slowed significantly.

Safety

People: The plant is non toxic, though some people may experience contact dermatitis from the leaves.
Children: The small seeds on the fruit surface are generally safe, but monitor young children to prevent choking on whole berries.
Contact allergens: The fine hairs on the leaves and stems can cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals.
Airborne allergens: Pollen from strawberry flowers is generally not a significant airborne allergen.
Edibility: Always wash store bought fruit thoroughly to remove pesticide residues.

How to identify it

trifoliate leaves with serrated edges
white flowers with yellow centers
fleshy red fruit with external seeds
low growing herbaceous habit
spreads via long thin runners

Height: 0.15 to 0.3m
Spread: 0.3 to 0.6m
Leaves: green, evergreen
Flowers: white, 2 to 3cm
Fruit: red, Late spring to summer

Common problems

Botrytis fruit rot — A fungal infection that causes gray mold on ripening fruit.
Aphids — Small insects that suck sap from new growth and leaves.
Slugs and snails — These pests feed on leaves and ripening fruit during damp weather.

Growing it

Propagation: runners, division, seed
When to plant: Spring, Fall
Overwintering: Apply a layer of straw mulch around the base to protect the crown from freezing temperatures. Remove the mulch once new growth appears in spring.
In containers: Strawberries thrive in containers, provided you use a pot at least 8 inches deep with excellent drainage.

Runner Division

Identify a healthy runner plantlet that has developed small roots.
Pin the plantlet into a small pot of soil while still attached to the parent.
Sever the connection to the parent once the plantlet is established.

Planting borage nearby is a classic trick to boost your strawberry harvest through better pollination.

Grows well with

Borage — It is said to improve the flavor of strawberries and attract beneficial pollinators.
Garlic — The strong scent helps deter common garden pests.
Lettuce — They share similar soil and water needs without competing for space.

Keep away from

Brassicas — These heavy feeders can compete for nutrients and stunt strawberry growth.

Similar species

Wild Strawberry — It is a smaller, more intense flavored relative that grows in woodland edges.

Science

Family: Rosaceae
Genus: Fragaria
Order: Rosales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Hybrid origin from North and South American species.
Conservation: This is a widely cultivated hybrid and is not of conservation concern.

It spreads via runners to colonize open, sunny areas with well drained soil.

Value to wildlife: nectar source, food for small mammals
Pollinators: bees, beetles
Uses: culinary fruit, groundcover, container gardening

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 2/9
Soil reaction: 6/9
Light: 7/9
Temperature: 5/9
Moisture: 6/9
Nutrients: 6/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

How often should I water them?: Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged, especially during fruit development.
Why are my berries small?: This often happens due to lack of sunlight, poor soil nutrients, or insufficient pollination.

Where the name comes from

The name Fragaria comes from the Latin word for fragrant, while ananassa refers to the pineapple like scent of the fruit.

Good to know

Strawberries are the only fruit that wear their seeds on the outside.
They belong to the rose family.
A single strawberry has about 200 seeds.

Is your strawberry looking unwell?

This page is a general guide. Pocket Botanist diagnoses problems from a photo of your actual plant, works out watering for your light and conditions, and reminds you when care is due.

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This guide was generated with AI and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.