%20halved.jpg)
Strawberry
Fragaria · Rosaceae
📷 Ivar Leidus · CC BY-SA 4.0
The gardener's calendar
In autumn, ease off feeding and take the chance to clean up around strawberry and prepare for winter.
ID card
- Family
- Rosaceae
- Plant type
- Herbaceous perennial
- Foliage
- Deciduous to semi-evergreen
- Flowering
- April to May
- Adult size
- 15 to 30 cm tall, spreading habit
- Growth
- Fast
- Hardiness
- Very hardy (down to -20°C)
- Origin
- Modern hybrids from species native to North America and Chile
Expert tips
The key tip
Pincez les stolons au fur et à mesure (sauf si vous voulez les multiplier) : sans cela, la plante épuise ses réserves en végétation au lieu de fleurir et fructifier. Arrosez régulièrement à la base sans mouiller le feuillage, surtout en période de fructification. Éliminez les feuilles malades ou jaunes dès qu'elles apparaissent pour éviter les champignons.
The common mistake
La plupart des jardiniers laissent les stolons courir partout, croyant que ça crée plus de plantes. Or cela affaiblit considérablement la mère qui devrait porter les fruits : elle meurt plus souvent d'épuisement par excès de stolons que de sécheresse.
The pro's trick
Replantez vos meilleures fraisières tous les 3 ans (gardez les stolons des meilleurs plants l'année 1, installez-les année 2, récoltez année 3). Cela maintient la vigueur et la productivité bien mieux que de garder les mêmes plants indéfiniment.
Care
Sunlight
Your strawberry prefers a location in full sun (at least 6 to 8 hours daily) to encourage good fruiting and optimal flavor. It tolerates partial shade but yields and fruit sweetness diminish. Plant it in a well-ventilated area to limit fungal diseases.
Watering
Keep the soil regularly moist during growth and flowering, especially in summer. Water at the base, avoiding the foliage, which becomes susceptible to fungal diseases when wet. Reduce watering in autumn and winter. Be careful with excess water, which promotes root rot.
Soil
Your strawberry appreciates rich, well-drained soil with organic matter and slightly acidic pH (6 to 7). Incorporate compost or potting soil before planting. Compacted or waterlogged soil compromises plant health and fruit production.
Fertilizer
Apply balanced fertilizer in spring before flowering, then a potassium-rich feed in summer to support fruit production. For container cultivation, a light monthly application is recommended. Choose organic fertilizers to preserve flavor quality.
Pruning and cleanup
After harvest, remove damaged leaves and runners (trailing stems) that weaken the plant if you want concentrated production. Clean away old leaves and debris in autumn. Renew your plants every 3 to 4 years to maintain good vigor.
Diseases and pests
Your strawberry fears powdery mildew, downy mildew, and gray rot (botrytis), especially in humid conditions. Ensure good air circulation around plants and avoid wetting the foliage. Slugs, snails, and spider mites are common pests: inspect regularly and install protective barriers or repellent mulch if needed.
Did you know?
The strawberry is a remarkable horticultural hybrid: the modern cultivated variety (Fragaria × ananassa) was born in the 18th century in Brittany through a chance cross between two wild species imported from America. Its botanical name 'ananassa' evokes its supposed resemblance to the pineapple. A symbol of summer and indulgence, it is one of the rare herbaceous plants achieving such worldwide commercial success.
Where to buy it
Plant in spring or early autumn, avoiding spells of intense heat. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, April, May, September.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
- Cherry treePrunus avium
- Apple treeMalus domestica
- BlackthornPrunus spinosa
- Salad burnetPoterium sanguisorba
- Bird cherryPrunus padus
- BrambleRubus fruticosus
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.