Strawberry tree Arbutus unedo
Strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo) is an evergreen perennial tree in the Ericaceae family, native to Mediterranean, western France and SW Ireland. It grows 4–8 m (13–26 ft) tall and 4–8 m (13–26 ft) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about -15 °C (5 °F). Space plants about 5 m (16 ft) apart.
Plan Strawberry tree in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Strawberry tree at a glance
| Type | Perennial tree, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Ericaceae |
| Mature height | 4–8 m (13–26 ft) |
| Mature spread | 4–8 m (13–26 ft) |
| Spacing | 5 m (16 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 5 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance high, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 5–8 |
| Cold hardiness | About -15 °C (5 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 7) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 38 °C (100 °F) |
| Flowering | from about October for 6–11 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | High |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Yes: ripe fruit (mealy; used for jam and liqueur) |
| Native to | Mediterranean, western France and SW Ireland |
| Common in gardens of | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇫🇷 France, 🇮🇹 Italy, 🇪🇸 Spain, 🇬🇷 Greece, 🇵🇹 Portugal |
Is Strawberry tree toxic?
- People: mildly toxic
- Cats: not well documented
- Dogs: not well documented
- Parts: fruit in quantity
Ripe fruit is edible but too much can upset the stomach (and over-ripe fruit ferments).
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Strawberry tree
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and low water.
Keep apart or take care
- caution With Mountain laurel: Mountain laurel and rhododendrons are hosts of Phytophthora ramorum (sudden oak death), which spreads from infected foliage between neighbouring plants. Evidence B
- caution With English lavender: Acid-loving plants need pH 4.5–5.5, lavender prefers neutral to alkaline soil; one bed cannot suit both. Evidence B
See Strawberry tree in a botanical garden
It grows in these sample gardens, which you can walk through in 3D:
- UC Botanical Garden, Berkeley (1 plants)
- Kew: glasshouses and rock garden (2 plants)
Questions about Strawberry tree
- How far apart should I plant Strawberry tree?
- About 5 m (16 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 4–8 m (13–26 ft).
- Does Strawberry tree need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 5 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Strawberry tree need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is high and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Strawberry tree?
- It tolerates about -15 °C (5 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 7.
- When does Strawberry tree flower?
- From about October for 6–11 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Strawberry tree poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not well documented; for dogs not well documented; for people mildly toxic. Ripe fruit is edible but too much can upset the stomach (and over-ripe fruit ferments).
- What grows well with Strawberry tree?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Strawberry tree. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (low).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Notes and assumptions
- Flowers in autumn while last year's fruit ripens red, so flowers and fruit hang together; red, peeling bark.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Blueberry Vaccinium corymbosum
- Rhododendron Rhododendron
- American cranberry Vaccinium macrocarpon
- Lingonberry Vaccinium vitis-idaea
- Bilberry Vaccinium myrtillus
- Satsuki azalea Rhododendron indicum
- Japanese andromeda (pieris) Pieris japonica
- Heather (ling) Calluna vulgaris