Garden Strawberry
Fragaria x ananassa
Low-growing perennial plant featuring trifoliate, serrated green leaves arranged in basal rosettes, with runners that spread across the ground.
- Light
- Full sun, requiring a minimum of 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight per day.
- Water
- Water regularly, providing about 1 inch of water per week through rainfall or irrigation. Keep the soil consistently moist, especially during active growth and establishment phases.
- Growth
- Low herbaceous perennial forming a dense mound via runners, reaching a mature height of 6 to 12 inches and a spread of 12 to 24 inches with a fast growth rate.
Care instructions
Provide full sun exposure for at least six hours daily. Water consistently to keep soil evenly moist without becoming waterlogged. Plant in well-draining, nutrient-rich soil and apply a balanced fertilizer during the early spring growth phase.
Growing details
Sunlight
Full sun, requiring a minimum of 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight per day.
Watering
Water regularly, providing about 1 inch of water per week through rainfall or irrigation. Keep the soil consistently moist, especially during active growth and establishment phases.
Soil
Prefers loamy, well-draining soil rich in organic matter with a slightly acidic pH range of 5.5 to 6.8.
Hardiness zone
USDA Hardiness Zones 3 through 10, depending on the specific cultivar.
Growth habit
Low herbaceous perennial forming a dense mound via runners, reaching a mature height of 6 to 12 inches and a spread of 12 to 24 inches with a fast growth rate.
Bloom season
Flowers in spring with small, five-petaled white blossoms featuring yellow central stamens.
Propagation
Propagates easily through vegetative runners (stolons) that root in the soil, or through division of mature crowns in early spring or autumn.
Common pests & issues
Susceptible to fungal issues such as powdery mildew and gray mold in humid conditions. Pests include aphids, slugs, and spider mites, which can be managed with proper plant spacing and good air circulation.
Similar species
Potentilla indica (mock strawberry), which can be distinguished by its yellow flowers rather than white flowers.