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Fragaria × ananassa

Common name: Garden strawberry

Fragaria × ananassa is a low-growing hybrid perennial in the rose family, cultivated worldwide for its sweet, red, aggregate fruit. It originated in 18th-century France as an accidental cross between two American species, Fragaria virginiana and Fragaria chiloensis. Plants spread by above-ground runners that root to form new daughter plants.

Care summary

Sun Full sun, at least 6 hours per day
Water Keep consistently moist, especially during fruiting
Soil Rich, well-drained, slightly acidic soil (pH 5.8–6.5)
Hardiness Zones 3–10
Mature height 15–30 cm (6–12 in)
Pet safe Non-toxic; fruit safe for pets in small amounts
Difficulty Moderate
Propagation Easiest by runners: pin a plantlet at the end of a runner into a small pot of moist soil while still attached to the mother plant, then sever the runner once it has rooted, usually in three to four weeks. Strawberries can also be grown from seed, but runners give true-to-type, faster plants.

Fun facts

  • First bred in 18th-century Brittany from wild strawberries
  • Not a true berry by botanical definition

Common problems

    • Mulch with straw under the fruit
    • Space plants for good air flow
    • Pick ripe berries promptly and often
    • Net plants as fruit starts coloring
    • Set beer traps or slug pellets
    • Harvest berries as soon as ripe
    • Plant in full sun with airflow
    • Avoid wetting foliage when watering
    • Remove badly infected leaves promptly
    • Remove excess runners each season
    • Replace plants every three years
    • Thin rows to renew the bed