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Strawberry

Fragaria x ananassa

BerriesPerennialFrost Hardy

Low-growing perennial producing sweet fruits in early summer. Runners create new plants; remove them for larger berries or let them spread.

Overview

SunFull Sun
WaterMediumCalculate watering amount
Height15–25 cm
Spread25 cm
Spacing30 cm
Row Spacing75 cm
Germination14–28 days
To Harvest60–90 days

Companion Planting

Toxicity

SeverityNon-toxic

Strawberries are non-toxic to humans, dogs, and cats (ASPCA-listed as safe); all parts of the fruit are edible, though the leaves contain minor tannins that may cause mild stomach upset if consumed in very large quantities.

Planting Tips

LocationFull sun with at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day; sheltered from strong winds.
SoilWell-drained, humus-rich, slightly acidic soil with a pH of 5.5-6.8; amend heavy clay with compost or raised beds.
Sowing Depth0.1 cm
Planting Depth3 cm
WateringProvide about 2.5 cm of water per week, watering at the base to keep foliage dry; mulch with straw to retain moisture and prevent fruit rot.

1 cm of water per m² equals 10 liters. Use the Watering Calculator for exact amounts.

FertilizingApply a balanced fertilizer (10-10-10) at planting, then side-dress with a potassium-rich feed after the first harvest; avoid excess nitrogen which promotes leaves over fruit.

Care Tip: Remove runners regularly for larger fruit yield, pinch off first-year blossoms on June-bearing varieties to strengthen the plant, and replace plants every 3-4 years.

Common Pests

Strawberry Aphids (Chaetosiphon fragaefolii)

Symptoms: Curled, yellowing leaves and sticky honeydew residue; can transmit viral diseases.

Treatment: Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil; introduce ladybugs or lacewings as biological control.

Prevention: Inspect transplants before planting, remove weeds that harbor aphids, and use reflective mulch to deter them.

Spider Mites (Tetranychus urticae)

Symptoms: Fine webbing on leaf undersides, stippled or bronzed foliage, and reduced vigor in hot, dry conditions.

Treatment: Spray plants with a strong water jet to dislodge mites; apply miticide or neem oil if infestation persists.

Prevention: Maintain adequate irrigation to avoid drought stress, and encourage predatory mites (Phytoseiulus persimilis).

Slugs and Snails

Symptoms: Irregular holes chewed in ripe fruit and leaves, with slimy trails visible in the morning.

Treatment: Apply iron-phosphate-based slug pellets around plants or set up beer traps to attract and drown them.

Prevention: Mulch with straw rather than dense ground cover, water in the morning so soil dries by evening, and remove debris where slugs hide.

Common Diseases

Gray Mold (Botrytis cinerea)

Symptoms: Soft, water-soaked spots on fruit that quickly develop a fuzzy gray-brown mold, especially in cool, humid weather.

Treatment: Remove and destroy infected fruit immediately; apply a fungicide approved for edible crops if the outbreak is severe.

Prevention: Space plants for good air circulation, avoid overhead watering, and harvest fruit promptly when ripe.

Powdery Mildew (Podosphaera aphanis)

Symptoms: White powdery coating on leaf surfaces, leaf curling, and purple-red blotches on the undersides of leaves.

Treatment: Apply sulfur-based or potassium-bicarbonate fungicide; remove heavily infected leaves to reduce spore spread.

Prevention: Choose resistant varieties, ensure adequate spacing and sunlight, and avoid excessive nitrogen fertilization.

Verticillium Wilt (Verticillium dahliae)

Symptoms: Outer leaves wilt, turn brown, and dry up while inner leaves may remain green; stunted growth and eventual plant collapse.

Treatment: No chemical cure exists; remove and destroy infected plants and do not compost them.

Prevention: Plant certified disease-free stock, practice crop rotation (avoid planting after tomatoes, peppers, or potatoes), and solarize soil before planting.