Strawberry Plant (Fragaria ananassa)

Photo: Николай СоболевCC BY 4.0via iNaturalistresized / cropped

Strawberry Plant Plant Care

Fragaria ananassa Duchesne

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

This plant's most distinctive visual feature is its bright red, juicy fruit that contrasts beautifully with its dark green leaves. Originally from Europe, Fragaria ananassa is a favorite among plant collectors for its delicious strawberries that are perfect for fresh eating or making preserves.

🌳Trees🌿Shrubs🍎Fruit & Berries🌼Perennials
Water

Every 2–3 days

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Temp

60–80°F

Humidity

50–70%

At a glance

How do you care for Strawberry Plant?

Plant Strawberry Plant in full sun to partial shade (USDA zones 3a–10b) and water a young tree every 2–3 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 60–80°F (16–27°C). Fertilize it every month during the growing season. The ASPCA lists it as non-toxic to cats and dogs.

What Is the Strawberry Plant?

Strawberry Plant (Fragaria ananassa) belongs to the Rosaceae family within the Fragaria genus. Strawberry Plant is native to Americas, Europeheight: 1.5width: 2fertilizer: 1wateringMin: 2wateringMax: 4humidityMin: 50humidityMax: 70temperatureMin: 60temperatureMax: 80leafSize: 3. Strawberry Plant is also known as Garden Strawberry, Strawberry.

Strawberry Plant displays a low rosette, spreading growth habit, reaching up to 1 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Strawberry Plant produces white or pink five-petaled flowers.

How Often Should You Water a Strawberry Plant?

Water a young or newly planted Strawberry Plant every 2–3 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established trees mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Watering Frequency

Every 2–3 days

Until established; then in dry spells

What Light Does the Strawberry Plant Need?

Strawberry Plant thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Light Requirement

Full sun to partial shade

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Strawberry Plant Prefer?

Fragaria ananassa tolerates temperatures of 60–80°F. Strawberry Plant prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.

Temperature

60–80°F

Humidity

50–70%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Strawberry Plant?

Well-draining, fertile loamy soil with added compost. Good drainage is essential for Strawberry Plant to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

How Often Should You Fertilize a Strawberry Plant?

Feed Strawberry Plant every month during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established trees in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

Fertilizing

Every month

During the growing season

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Where Should You Plant a Strawberry Plant?

Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining, fertile loamy soil with added compost. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Strawberry Plant is suited to USDA Zone 3a – 10b.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped trees in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

How Far Apart Should You Plant a Strawberry Plant?

Strawberry Plant can spread to about 2 ft (0.6 m) and reach about 1 ft (0 m) tall. Space plants about 2 ft (0.6 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the tree spacing calculator.

How Do You Prune a Strawberry Plant?

Prune Strawberry Plant while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the tree in one year.

How Do You Care for a Strawberry Plant in Winter?

Strawberry Plant is hardy down to USDA zone 3a, so once established it can stay outdoors through winter in that zone and warmer ones.

Water deeply in late autumn before the ground freezes, and spread a 5–8 cm (2–3 in) layer of mulch over the root zone, keeping it away from the trunk.

Young and container-grown trees need extra protection: roots in a pot freeze much more easily than roots in the ground.

How Do You Propagate a Strawberry Plant?

Strawberry Plant can be propagated through runners, division, seeds.

Is the Strawberry Plant Toxic to Pets and Children?

Non-toxic to cats and dogs

Source: ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center plant list, which covers Fragaria species (which includes Strawberry Plant). View the ASPCA entry

Non-toxic to humans and pets

This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

What Pests and Diseases Affect the Strawberry Plant?

Strawberry Plant is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, slugs. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Strawberry Plant Need?

Strawberry Plant grows outdoors in USDA Zone 3a – 10b. It survives winters down to planting zone 3a. Strawberry Plant is native to Americas, Europeheight: 1.5width: 2fertilizer: 1wateringMin: 2wateringMax: 4humidityMin: 50humidityMax: 70temperatureMin: 60temperatureMax: 80leafSize: 3.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 3a – 10b

Keep exploring plants

Strawberry Plant is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.

It belongs to the Fragaria genus — compare its care with other Fragaria species on PlantoScan.

Fragaria is part of the Rosaceae plant family — browse all Rosaceae genera and species.

Strawberry Plant thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.

Related Plant Care Guides

Closely related plants with similar care requirements:

Sources

  • Scientific name & taxonomy: Fragaria ananassa Duchesne, family Rosaceae (first published in Hist. Nat. Frais. 190. 1766) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record, Wikidata.
  • Pet toxicity: The ASPCA lists Fragaria species (which includes Strawberry Plant) as non-toxic to cats and dogs. Source: ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List.
  • Photo: Николай Соболев, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist — original.
  • Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 3a – 10b, estimated from the plant's typical growing conditions.
  • Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.

Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.

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