Barren Strawberry Plant Care

Barren Strawberry (Potentilla simplex) belongs to the Rosaceae family within the Potentilla genus. Barren Strawberry is native to eastern North America from Ontario, Quebec, and Labrador south to Texas, Alabama, and panhandle Florida. Barren Strawberry is also known as Common Cinquefoil, Old Field Five-Finger, Fiveleaf Cinquefoil.

Barren Strawberry displays a low spreading shrub growth habit, reaching up to 1.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Barren Strawberry produces small, bright yellow flowers in clusters.

Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Barren Strawberry every 7–10 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established shrubs mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Barren Strawberry thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Potentilla simplex tolerates temperatures of 50–75°F. Barren Strawberry prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.

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

Feed Barren Strawberry every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established shrubs 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.

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

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

Barren Strawberry is suited to USDA Zone 12a.

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

Barren Strawberry can spread to about 2 ft (0.6 m) and reach about 2 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 plant spacing calculator.

Prune Barren Strawberry 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 shrub in one year.

Barren Strawberry is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 12). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Barren Strawberry can be propagated through softwood cuttings, division. Similar propagation techniques also apply to golden cinquefoil plant care, which shares the same genus.

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

Barren Strawberry is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, leafhoppers. 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.

Barren Strawberry grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Barren Strawberry is native to eastern North America from Ontario, Quebec, and Labrador south to Texas, Alabama, and panhandle Florida. In cooler regions, grow Barren Strawberry as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.