Growing Strawberries in Pots

I love strawberries, which is a great understatement, since I could eat them almost everyday if given the chance. Plain or dipped in chocolate, mixed with other fruits, frozen… I could go on. If I’m not being obvious already, today I want to discuss growing strawberries, specifically, growing strawberries in pots.

Growing up, we had a few small plots on either side of the garage. We grew strawberries in the one on the right, and I remember enjoying picking the strawberries when they were nice and ripe. I still enjoy those sweet memories!

Fruity Facts

Here are some fun facts about yummy strawberries!

• Each strawberry produces about 200 seeds, which are what you see on the outside.
• About 5 pounds of strawberries are eaten by Americans yearly.
• 75% of strawberry crops are grown right here in California, which explains why “fresh strawberry” stations are about as common as Starbucks. Fields are scattered all over, including cities.
• Strawberry plants are perennials, so they will keep growing back.
• A strawberry plant will last for about 5 years.
• Growing strawberries from hanging containers is becoming more widespread. Mine are hanging from the side of our balcony porch right now!
• Strawberries come in three categories: day neutral, June-bearing, and overbearing.
• Strawberries are grown all over the United States and Canada.
• Belgium has a strawberry museum.
• Native Americans and Romans ate strawberries.

Classy Containers

Since I am only discussing growing strawberries in pots, I want to talk briefly about different types of pots that can be used for strawberries. I grow my strawberries from the container they came in from Home Depot. I’ve had them for a little over a year and they have produced strawberries several times over since.

Stackable containers are great if you like vertical gardening and are great space savers. These containers have several openings on all sides to grow additional strawberries or other edible plants.

Terracotta pots are a popular and great option to grow strawberries in. These sturdy pots come in all types of sizes. They are great starter pots since they are inexpensive and can be designed the way you want. Check out your local farmers markets for deals on garden containers.

Hanging pots are a popular way to grow strawberries too, and are great space savers. Growing strawberries from containers near the ceiling is growing in popularity. This gives more space to grow other plants as well.

Find more ideas for containers by reading Cheap Garden Containers.

Make sure your container has one or more holes in the bottom to drain the water out. Water sitting at the bottom of containers can lead to root rot and kill your plants.

Starting Strawberries

Strawberries grow from seedlings and bare roots. Seedlings generally grow faster than bare roots. Potting mix that drains away extra water works well. Strawberry plants can take up to two feet of space to grow. One to two plants are needed for containers, unless a strawberry container is used, then you can fill in all the openings with at least one strawberry plant.

I LOVE using mini greenhouses to start plants in! Check out this post on how to start seeds in a mini greenhouse!

Plant your strawberries where the crown (place where roots and stems meet) is just over the soil. The pot will need six to 8 hours of sun to grow flowers and strawberries. You might need to turn the container every few days if its in a place that does not get full sun.

Strawberry Care

Water the plants when the soil is dry. Containers need to be watered more than plants grown in the ground since the soil dries up quicker. Feed your strawberry plants at least once a month with a high phosphorus fertilizer.

If you live where it gets cold in the winter, your strawberry plants will go dormant. Move your plants indoors to prevent the roots from freezing. Also, mulching the plants is an option if you don’t want to move them.

Strawberry plants are easy and fun to care for. I love watching the little flowers and fruits grow from my balcony. Have you tried growing strawberries in pots? Let me know in the comments section below!

Happy gardening!