Create your own berry patch in a compact container.
If you’re not ready to commit to a full-blown berry patch, strawberries alsogrow well in containers.
In the spring, set the plants in regular pots, hanging baskets, or window boxes.
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Some gardeners prefer using terra-cotta strawberry pots.
You don’t need a backyard to harvest your own strawberries.
It takes 60 to 90 days for them to grow from seed to berry.
Here’s how to grow strawberries in pots.
The Grumpy Gardener recommends using name-brand potting soil in containers for best results.
Deadhead spent blooms to keep the plants healthy.
Give them plenty of sunlight and water for a season’s worth of delicious produce.
Light
Strawberries produce a greater harvest when grown in full sun.
Place the strawberry container in a sunny area that receives eight hours of sun each day.
If one side is shaded, rotate the container every few days.
Soil
Plant the strawberries in a container with brand-name soil that is loose and well-draining.
They prefer loamy, slightly acidic soil.
Strawberries only need to be planted in four to six inches of soil, so shallow containers will work.
Use a container with a hole in the bottom to allow excess water to drain.
Water
Give strawberries an inch or two of water per week.Water regularlyonce the fruit begins to form.
Fertilizer
Strawberry plants in containers benefit from supplemental feeding.
In late summer, cut strawberry plants back to about an inch above the crown.
Propagating Strawberries for Pots
Strawberry plants produce runners at the end of the growing season.
Planting these runners is the best method for propagating a strawberry plant.
To start from seed, youll need to start in winter.
Strawberries in pots will last about three years, sorepotting the plantsmay not be necessary.
Snip runners to add new plants to your container.
Overwintering
Typically, strawberry plants should be protected in colder climates by a layer of mulch.
Strawberries in containers can be moved to a garage or shed that remains above 28oF.
Move the plants when the crowns become dormant, turning brown and shriveled.
Remove any dead leaves.
Gray mold and powdery mildew are diseases to watch out for.
Common Problems With Strawberries in Pots
Strawberries need consistent moisture and sun for success in the garden.
Give them sufficient airflow by not overcrowding them.
Too much moisture can lead to unhealthy plants.
Signs the plants are in distress include curling leaves and leaves turning yellow or brown.
Heres what these issues indicate.
Curling leaves could indicate powdery mildew or cyclamen mites.
Give it consistent water.
Leaves Turning Yellow
This indicates overwatering of the plants, either by heavy rain or manual watering.
Strawberries need consistent moisture, but they do not like to sit in wet, soggy soil.
Too much water at the roots makes it difficult for them to get proper airflow.
confirm to plant them in well-draining soil and in a pot with sufficient drainage.
Cut back on watering if leaves begin to yellow and droop.
Water when the soil is moderately dry.
If water is puddled around the base, loosen the soil around it to increase airflow.
Leaves Turning Brown
Brown leaves can indicate several issues with a strawberry plant.
Overwatering can cause leaves to turn yellow and then brown.
Rain followed by hot sun can cause leaves to scorch and turn brown.
This can also happen when watering late in the day and watering overhead.
To fix, remove any brown leaves that have died back on the plant and adjust watering as needed.
If leaf spot is suspected, spray the plant with fungicide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Most strawberry plants are perennial and live for about three to five years.
Keep your container strawberries growing by planting runners in new pots.
Strawberry pots can be grown indoors, but day-neutral plants are the best variety to grow inside.
Give them plenty of lightuse a grow light if needed water, and temperatures between 40o and 90oF.
During spring through summer, leave the flowers alone.
About four weeks after flowering, the plant will produce fruit.
