Lobed Barren Strawberry Plant Care
Waldsteinia lobata (Baldwin) Torr. & A.Gray
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Waldsteinia lobata, the piedmont barren strawberry, is a low-lying perennial herb with evergreen leaves that turn burgundy red in fall. The flower is yellow and the fruit is brown and dry.
Every 7–10 days
Partial to full shade
50–75°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Lobed Barren Strawberry?
Plant Lobed Barren Strawberry in partial to full shade (USDA zones 12a) and water a young shrub every 7–10 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 50–75°F (10–24°C). Fertilize it every 8 months during the growing season.
What Is the Lobed Barren Strawberry?
Lobed Barren Strawberry (Waldsteinia lobata) belongs to the Rosaceae family within the Waldsteinia genus.
Lobed Barren Strawberry displays a low rosette, spreading groundcover growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Lobed Barren Strawberry produces small yellow flowers in spring.
Leaf size: approximately 3 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Lobed Barren Strawberry?
Water a young or newly planted Lobed 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.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–10 days
Until established; then in dry spells
What Light Does the Lobed Barren Strawberry Need?
Lobed Barren Strawberry thrives in partial to full shade. The optimal light range is 50–200 lux. Avoid placing Lobed Barren Strawberry in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Partial to full shade
50–200 lux
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Lobed Barren Strawberry Prefer?
Waldsteinia lobata tolerates temperatures of 50–75°F. Lobed Barren Strawberry prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
50–75°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Lobed Barren Strawberry?
Moist, well-draining soil with high organic content. Good drainage is essential for Lobed Barren Strawberry to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Lobed Barren Strawberry?
Feed Lobed Barren Strawberry every 8 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.
Fertilizing
Every 8 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
Where Should You Plant a Lobed Barren Strawberry?
Choose a spot with partial to full shade and moist, well-draining soil with high organic content. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.
Lobed 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.
How Far Apart Should You Plant a Lobed Barren Strawberry?
Lobed Barren Strawberry can spread to about 2 ft (0.5 m) and reach about 1 ft (0 m) tall. Space plants about 2 ft (0.5 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.
How Do You Prune a Lobed Barren Strawberry?
Prune Lobed 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.
How Do You Care for a Lobed Barren Strawberry in Winter?
Lobed 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.
How Do You Propagate a Lobed Barren Strawberry?
Lobed Barren Strawberry can be propagated through division, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to barren strawberry plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Lobed Barren Strawberry Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Lobed Barren Strawberry, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
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 Lobed Barren Strawberry?
Lobed Barren Strawberry is susceptible to aphids, spider mites. 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 Lobed Barren Strawberry Need?
Lobed Barren Strawberry grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. In cooler regions, grow Lobed Barren Strawberry as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Lobed Barren Strawberry 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 Waldsteinia genus — compare its care with other Waldsteinia species on PlantoScan.
Waldsteinia is part of the Rosaceae plant family — browse all Rosaceae genera and species.
Lobed Barren Strawberry copes with lower light than most plants — browse the full list of low-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Waldsteinia lobata (Baldwin) Torr. & A.Gray, family Rosaceae (first published in Fl. N. Amer. 1: 426 (1840)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Lobed Barren Strawberry, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 12a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- 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.
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