Strawberry Fragaria x ananassa
Strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa) is an evergreen perennial fruit plant in the Rosaceae family. It grows 15–30 cm (6–12 in) tall and 30–50 cm (12–20 in) wide, wants full sun and moderate water, and is hardy to about -15 °C (5 °F). Space plants about 35 cm (14 in) apart.
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Strawberry at a glance
| Type | Perennial fruit plant, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Rosaceae |
| Mature height | 15–30 cm (6–12 in) |
| Mature spread | 30–50 cm (12–20 in) |
| Spacing | 35 cm (14 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Cold hardiness | About -15 °C (5 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 7) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 30 °C (86 °F) |
| Flowering | from about April for 4–9 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Yes: fruit |
| Common in gardens of | 🇺🇸 United States, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇨🇳 China, 🇯🇵 Japan, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇷🇺 Russia, 🇫🇷 France, 🇳🇴 Norway, 🇿🇦 South Africa, 🇦🇺 Australia, 🇮🇹 Italy, 🇨🇦 Canada, 🇸🇪 Sweden, 🇳🇱 Netherlands, 🇮🇪 Ireland, 🇵🇱 Poland |
Is Strawberry toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Strawberries are non-toxic to people, cats and dogs.
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
Good neighbours
- good With Zinnia: Pollinator-attracting flowers can increase insect visits for insect-pollinated crops nearby. Evidence C
- good With Garlic chives: Gardeners plant garlic chives among roses to deter aphids and black spot; the evidence is weak and mostly anecdotal. Evidence D
Keep apart or take care
- caution With Apricot: Verticillium wilt fungus persists in strawberry beds and can infect apricot trees planted into that soil, so avoid following strawberries with apricot. Evidence B
Questions about Strawberry
- How far apart should I plant Strawberry?
- About 35 cm (14 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 30–50 cm (12–20 in).
- Does Strawberry need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Strawberry need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Strawberry?
- It tolerates about -15 °C (5 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 7.
- When does Strawberry flower?
- From about April for 4–9 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Strawberry poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Strawberries are non-toxic to people, cats and dogs.
- What grows well with Strawberry?
- Pollinator-attracting flowers can increase insect visits for insect-pollinated crops nearby. Gardeners plant garlic chives among roses to deter aphids and black spot; the evidence is weak and mostly anecdotal.
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade C (C: plausible, mixed evidence).
- ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, ASPCA
- FAO Irrigation and Drainage Paper 56 — Crop Evapotranspiration, FAO
- RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
- University extension gardening guides (general), Various land-grant university extensions
Notes and assumptions
- Typical garden-cultivar values; varieties differ.
- Yields best with pollinator visits.
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
- Dwarf apple tree Malus domestica
- Common ninebark Physocarpus opulifolius
- Serviceberry Amelanchier canadensis
- Raspberry Rubus idaeus
- Blackberry Rubus fruticosus agg.
- Garden rose Rosa x hybrida
- Japanese flowering cherry Prunus serrulata
- Pear Pyrus communis