Mock strawberry.

At a glance

Care level

Easy

Plant type

Perennial groundcover

Light

Partial shade to full sun

Indoor light

Bright indirect

Water

Every 3 to 7 days

Mature size

6 inches tall

Growth rate

Fast

Hardiness

USDA 5 to 9

Bloom time

Mid spring to early autumn

Care

Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged to encourage healthy growth. Watch for yellowing leaves which often signal that the soil is staying too wet for too long. It is a vigorous grower, so keep an eye on it to make sure it does not crowd out your other plants.

Watering

Water whenever the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.

Feeding

Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer every two months during the growing season.

Pruning

Trim back runners if the plant starts spreading into areas where you do not want it.

Repotting

Repot once the plant becomes root bound or if you notice growth slowing down significantly.

Soil

Well draining loamy soil

Soil pH

6.0 to 7.5

Temperature

-29 to 35°C

Humidity

40 to 70%

Drought tolerance

Moderate

Lifespan

Perennial, typically 3 to 5 years.

Deer and rabbits

Moderate

Safety

People

The plant is not considered toxic to humans.

Pets

This plant is generally considered non toxic to cats and dogs.

Children

The small red fruits may pose a choking hazard to small children if ingested.

Contact allergens

No specific skin irritants are known.

Airborne allergens

Pollen may cause mild reactions in sensitive individuals during the flowering season.

Edibility

While the fruit is technically edible, it is often considered flavorless or mealy and is not typically consumed.

How to identify it

• Three leaflets with serrated edges
• Small bright yellow flowers
• Red berry like fruits
• Spreads via creeping runners

Height

0.05 to 0.15m

Spread

0.3 to 1m

Leaves

green, semi-evergreen

Flowers

yellow, 1 to 2cm

Fruit

red, Summer to autumn

Problems to watch for

• AphidsCommon
• Leaf SpotCommon
• Root RotUncommon
• Slugs and SnailsUncommon

Growing it

Propagation

division, seed, runners

When to plant

spring, autumn

Overwintering

In colder regions, the foliage may die back significantly. Simply clear away dead debris in early spring to encourage fresh growth.

In containers

It grows well in hanging baskets or containers where its trailing runners can cascade over the sides.

Plant this in areas where you want a dense, low maintenance ground cover that can outcompete weeds.

Grows well with

• Hosta · They share similar shade requirements and provide contrasting foliage textures.
• Ferns · Ferns create a lush, woodland aesthetic that complements the low growth of the mock strawberry.

Similar species

• Wild Strawberry · Often confused due to similar leaf shape, but has white flowers and delicious fruit.

Science

Family

Rosaceae

Genus

Potentilla

Order

Rosales

Class

Magnoliopsida

Native range

Eastern and southern Asia.

Conservation

It is considered an invasive species in some regions, so check local regulations before planting.

It colonizes disturbed areas and forest edges by rooting at the nodes of its spreading stems.

Value to wildlife

nectar source, ground cover habitat

Pollinators

bees, butterflies

Uses

ground cover, rock garden plant, container filler

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Is this a real strawberry?

No, it is a mock strawberry and is not closely related to the garden strawberry.

Will it take over my garden?

Yes, it spreads very aggressively and can become a nuisance if not contained.

Where the name comes from

The genus name Potentilla comes from the Latin word for powerful, referring to the medicinal properties of some species, while indica refers to its origin in India.

Good to know

• It is commonly called mock strawberry.
• The plant spreads rapidly via long, rooting runners.
• It is native to eastern and southern Asia.
• It thrives in shade where other ground covers struggle.