Most gardeners grow strawberries in outdoor beds and harvest fresh berries in summer. However, with a bit of know-how and the right gardening supplies, you can master the art of growing strawberries indoors and gather ripe and juicy strawberries from your plants in any season. Growing strawberries indoors offers numerous advantages. These cute, compact plants fit well in small spaces, which makes them ideal for urban gardening. Additionally, strawberries are non-toxic to pets like cats and dogs. Indoors, your strawberries are less vulnerable to the pests that are commonly found outdoors.
Following these eight simple tips for growing strawberries indoors.
1. Choose Roomy Pots
Strawberry plants have shallow root systems, so there’s no need to grow them in bulky, large containers. A pot that’s about 8 inches deep and 12 inches wide is ideal for three plants, while a 6- to 8-inch pot works for a single strawberry plant. Terra-cotta pots, hanging planters, and hydroponic countertop setups are all great options. Just ensure your containers have drainage holes to prevent water from collecting at the bottom of them.
2. Select the Right Strawberry Varieties
While any strawberry variety can be grown indoors, day-neutral varieties such as ‘Albion’ and ‘Florida Beauty’ are often the most suitable for indoor gardens. Unlike other varieties that depend on day length in order to flower and fruit—peaking in the summer season—day-neutral strawberries produce fruit regardless of day length. Just ensure they receive abundant light and water, and maintain a temperature between 40°F and 90°F to keep them fruiting.
3. Use a Rich Potting Mix
You can grow strawberries inside your home throughout the entire year. For optimal growth, plant them with their crowns just at the soil line, ensuring they aren’t buried. Make sure to choose a nutrient-rich potting mix with good drainage. For an extra nutrient boost, blend in a handful of compost or worm castings before you begin planting.
To give your plants an extra boost, mix a handful of compost or worm castings into the potting mix before you plant.
4. Provide Lots of Light
One of the challenges of growing strawberries indoors is ensuring they receive enough light throughout the year. Make sure to position them in sunny, south-facing windows that offer 6 to 8 hours of bright sunlight daily. Alternatively, you can use grow lights for 12 to 16 hours each day. Just remember to rotate your plants regularly to prevent uneven growth toward the light.
5. Add Slow-Release Fertilizer
Incorporate worm castings or compost into the potting mix for a gradual nutrient release as the strawberries start to grow. Enhance growth by adding a slow-release fertilizer. Use an organic liquid fertilizer monthly during the growing season, and increase to bi-weekly applications once the strawberry flowers begin to appear.
6. Water Regularly
Strawberries require regular watering in order to thrive, similar to other edible plants. Though indoor strawberries usually need less water than those grown outdoors, you should still water them at least once a week, or whenever the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. Water in the morning or early afternoon for best results. To prevent wet leaves, focus on watering from the bottom.
7. Hand-Pollinate Flowers
Outdoor strawberries are usually pollinated by bees and other insects, but indoors, you’ll need to hand-pollinate in order to encourage fruiting. Use a cotton swab or small paintbrush to gently brush over every flower. For best results, hand-pollinate every few days during the growing season to ensure all flowers receive enough pollen.
8. Be Patient
Although indoor strawberry plants establish quickly, they often take longer to bear fruit compared to outdoor strawberry plants. Nursery starts or bare-root plants typically begin fruiting two to three months after planting, while plants grown from runners or seeds may take until their second year. Once mature, you’ll know it’s time to harvest strawberries when they are fully ripe and red. Enjoy eating them fresh, frozen, or dehydrated in recipes like strawberry shortcake for a yummy treat.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do strawberry plants last in pots?
Strawberries are short-lived perennials that become less productive after a few years of growth. Many gardeners replace strawberry plants when they are three to five years old, and the harvest size diminishes.
What does day-neutral mean for strawberries?
Day-neutral strawberry varieties fruit and flower regardless of day length. When kept outdoors, day-neutral strawberries typically fruit sporadically until the first killing frost of fall. However, these plants can fruit even longer when they’re grown indoors.
Do day-neutral strawberries produce runners?
Day-neutral strawberries can produce a few runners, but not as many runners as June-bearing strawberries. This makes day-neutral plants easier to keep in containers because they’re less likely to sprawl.
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