Leslie Massey
Strawberries can be grown in containers and pots successfully, but there are some things to keep in mind. Strawberry plants are small and can fit into most pots, but they need their space and hate to be crowded. They have shallow root systems, so they don't need a lot of depth, but they need space to spread out horizontally. Potted plants can survive without any additional care in places with mild winters. However, growing strawberries in containers expose the roots to warmer temperatures than they would normally find in the ground, so it's important to shade the containers and put them in a location that receives at least eight to 12 hours of sun daily.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Container type | Specialized strawberry pot, hanging basket, planter, wooden planter, grow bag, or clay pot |
| Container size | Small containers should be 10-12 inches in diameter and 8 inches deep |
| Container colour | Light-coloured containers are best for hot climates |
| Container placement | Near kitchen or outdoor seating area for easy picking; in a location that receives 8-12 hours of sun daily |
| Container drainage | Containers should have good drainage with multiple holes |
| Container material | Synthetic materials are best for hot climates |
| Soil type | Organic soil, amended with compost |
| Soil moisture | Avoid dryness and overwatering; water when the soil is dry 1 inch below the surface, usually twice a week |
| Soil temperature | Soil in containers dries out quickly and can get too warm, affecting strawberry production; use reflective material like aluminium foil to mitigate |
| Plant spacing | Allow 3-4 plants per square foot of soil; strawberry plants need more space than you think |
| Planting method | Plant crowns just above the soil surface, spreading out the roots over a mound |
| Fertilizer | Do not use Miracle Grow; use organic fertilizer |
| Common issues | Overwatering, fungus gnats, lack of pollination, pests |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing the right container
When choosing a container for growing strawberries, there are several factors to consider, such as drainage, size, material, and colour.
Firstly, it is important to select a container with good drainage. Use a container with multiple drainage holes at the bottom or distributed throughout to allow excess water to escape. This will help prevent the soil from becoming too soggy, which can be detrimental to strawberry plants.
Secondly, consider the size of the container. Strawberries have a relatively small root ball and shallow root systems, so they don't require a deep planter. Containers as small as 10 to 12 inches in diameter and 8 inches deep are sufficient for growing strawberries. However, it is important to provide them with enough space to spread out horizontally. Allow for approximately three strawberry plants per square foot of soil, depending on the variety.
The material and colour of the container are also important considerations. Synthetic and light-coloured pots are recommended, especially if you live in a hot climate. Dark-coloured and natural materials like clay and metal can absorb and conduct heat, causing the root temperature to rise and potentially impacting fruit production.
Additionally, you may want to consider using fabric grow bags or hanging baskets. Fabric grow bags can help reduce bug infestations, while hanging baskets keep the fruit off the ground, although they may require more frequent watering due to faster soil drying.
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Preparing the soil
When preparing the soil for growing strawberries in pots, it is important to remember that strawberry plants have shallow root systems and do not need deep containers. Choose a container with good drainage, such as a specialised strawberry pot, a hanging basket, or a planter with several drainage holes at the bottom. The container should be at least 10 to 12 inches in diameter and 8 inches deep.
Use organic soil from a local company, amended with compost. Synthetic and light-coloured pots will keep the roots cooler than dark colours and natural materials that conduct heat, such as clay and metal. Strawberry plants dislike extremely hot temperatures, so opt for light-coloured containers if you live in a hot climate. You can also put a reflective material like aluminium foil around the pots to dissipate the heat and to shade the pots.
To plant the strawberries, make a small mound in the potting mix and spread out the roots over the mound. Cover the roots up to the crown with the potting mix. Water the soil well. After the soil settles from the watering, add more potting mix as needed, but do not cover the crown with soil.
To increase your odds of a successful harvest, remember that strawberry plants like their space and hate to be crowded. Allow no more than three to four plants to root per square foot of soil. Snipping the runners as soon as they are recognised will allow the plants to devote most of their energy to making strawberries.
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Planting
Strawberries can be grown from seeds, bare-root crowns, or transplants. Bare-root crowns are the spots where the stem meets the roots. To plant bare-root strawberries, simply sit them in a bucket of water for 30 minutes to wake them from dormancy, then plant them.
When planting, ensure your pot has good drainage. Strawberry plants have shallow root systems, so they don't need a deep planter. They can be grown in containers as small as 10 to 12 inches in diameter and 8 inches deep. However, they do need space to spread out horizontally. Allow for approximately three plants per square foot of soil.
To plant, make a small mound in the potting mix and spread out the roots over the mound. Cover the roots up to the crown with the potting mix. Water the soil well. After the soil settles, add more potting mix if needed, but do not cover the crown. Place the pot in a location that receives at least eight to 12 hours of sun daily. If sunlight comes from only one direction, rotate the container every three to four days for even growth.
To increase your odds of a successful harvest, choose the right type of strawberry for your container. June-bearing strawberries produce one crop in early summer for about two weeks and are best grown in a wood-framed raised bed. Day-neutral plants produce berries throughout the summer, while everbearing strawberries offer two to three smaller harvests per season.
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Temperature control
Strawberries are temperate plants, meaning they thrive in the temperate zones of the earth above and below the equatorial tropic zones. They do not fare well in tropical conditions without some form of climate control. In containers, the roots of strawberry plants are exposed to warmer temperatures than they would encounter in the ground due to the absence of insulating soil.
To regulate the temperature of your potted strawberries, opt for light-coloured containers, particularly if you live in a hot climate. Dark-coloured pots absorb more heat, which can affect strawberry production. Synthetic and light-coloured pots will keep the roots cooler than dark colours and natural materials that conduct heat, such as clay and metal.
You can also try shading the containers or placing them in a location that receives eight to 12 hours of sunlight daily. If the sunlight comes from only one direction, rotate the container every three to four days for even growth. Additionally, you can put reflective material like aluminium foil around the pots to deflect heat. Lightly spraying the containers with water when you water the plants can also help cool them through evaporation.
If you live in a location with mild winters, potted strawberry plants can survive without any additional care. They enter a state of dormancy during winter, where their metabolic functions slow down significantly, and they appear to be dead. However, they burst back to life with the arrival of warmer temperatures in late winter or spring.
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Maintenance
Strawberry plants don't typically die during winter if cared for properly or if they live in a location with mild temperatures. They enter a state of dormancy, and with the arrival of warmer temperatures during late winter or spring, they become vibrant again. Potted plants can survive without additional care in places with mild winters.
To maintain your strawberry plants, ensure they get sufficient sunlight by placing them in a location that receives at least eight to twelve hours of sun daily. If sunlight comes from only one direction, rotate the container every three to four days for even growth.
Water your strawberries when the soil feels dry, about one inch below the surface, usually twice a week. The soil in containers dries out faster than ground soil, so be mindful of that. Lightly spraying the containers with water can also help cool them down.
Strawberries grown in containers are more susceptible to temperature changes, especially if you have dark-coloured pots. To mitigate this, shade the containers or use reflective material like aluminium foil to dissipate the heat.
To increase fruit production, snip the runners as soon as they appear. This will encourage the plant to focus its energy on strawberry production.
Strawberry plants are typically short-lived perennials and may need to be replaced every three years. However, you can create new plants by snipping the runners and spacing them out in the pot.
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Frequently asked questions
The best type of pot for growing strawberries is one with good drainage and made from a light-coloured, synthetic material to keep the roots cool. Ensure the pot is large enough for the number of plants you wish to grow, allowing for approximately 3-4 plants per square foot of soil.
Create a small mound of potting mix in the centre of the pot and spread the strawberry plant's roots over it. Cover the roots with the potting mix up to the crown (where the stem meets the roots). Water the soil well, and after it settles, add more mix if needed, ensuring the crown remains uncovered. Place the pot in a sunny spot, providing at least eight to twelve hours of sunlight daily. Protect the plants with netting or fencing to prevent damage from insects and other pests.
Water your potted strawberries regularly, whenever the soil feels dry about one inch below the surface—usually about twice a week. The soil in containers tends to dry out more quickly than ground soil, so be mindful of this, but also avoid overwatering, as this can lead to fungal issues.
