True strawberry lovers know just how difficult it can be to find good strawberries off-season. Outside of the summer months, store-bought strawberries don't have the same flavor and juicy texture as those picked during their peak.
If you're looking to enjoy your favorite fruit year-round and flex your green thumb, why not try growing strawberry plants indoors as a houseplant? By growing strawberries indoors, you can have greater control over the cultivation process, reduce the chance of berry-ruining pests, and enjoy multiple harvests each year.
In this guide to growing strawberries indoors, we'll highlight all the tips and tricks you need to know to grow strawberry plants indoors successfully.
Can You Grow Strawberry Plant Indoors
Yes, you can successfully grow strawberry plants indoors. With proper lighting, temperature, and care, indoor strawberry cultivation allows you to enjoy fresh berries year-round.
How To Growing Strawberries Indoors
When growing strawberries indoors, it's essential to create an environment where your strawberry plant can thrive. Before starting, ask an experienced grower at your local garden center for assistance. By choosing the right pot, soil, grow lights, and fertilizer for your strawberry plants, you significantly increase your chances of success in growing strawberries indoors.
Choose The Correct Variety
To grow strawberries, you will need either strawberry seeds or strawberry plants. Growing from strawberry seeds will take much longer to produce fruit than pre-grown strawberry plants. Bare-root strawberry plant options may be available at some nurseries.
Strawberries come in two varieties: June-bearing and ever-bearing. When growing strawberries indoors, opt for strawberry varieties that are ever-bearing, such as Albion, Portola, and San Andreas. While ever-bearing varieties are more suitable for year-round production, you'll still need to create the right humidity level and provide ample light, water, and nutrients to produce sizable yields.
Alpine strawberries, also known as wild strawberries, produce small and flavorful strawberries. Alpine strawberries are a great strawberry variety to grow indoors because they can tolerate harsh conditions and can produce well in partial sunlight. They also remain compact and grow best for small or limited space.
Plant Pot
Strawberry plants don't have a very deep root system, so they can be planted in a variety of containers. If you have bare-root plants, you can plant them directly in the container. Alternatively, if you're starting from seeds, you can sow them in the planter. You may want to use hanging baskets, pots, window boxes, or vertical containers that save space because of their sprawling vines. Alternatively, you could place a strawberry planter on a windowsill or shelf and allow the vines to spread freely.
Timing To Plant
The ideal time to plant strawberries indoors is typically in late winter to early spring, allowing the plants to establish before the growing season begins. In regions with harsh winters, you can start planting in late winter and transfer the established plants to larger containers or a suitable garden spot when the weather warms up.
Hand Pollinate Your Plants
Strawberry plants that are grown outside are naturally pollinated, but indoor plants require hand pollination. While hand pollination may sound like a complicated and time-consuming process, it's surprisingly simple!
Your strawberry flowers are ready for pollination when their petals have fully opened. The pistil (the plant's female reproductive parts) should be somewhat yellow-green, while its stamen (the plant's male reproductive parts) should be brown. These colors vary from plant to plant, so you'll want to research the specific variety you're growing.
To hand pollinate your plants, you'll need a small, soft makeup brush or paintbrush. Gently brush the pollen from the stamen to the pistil. Be sure to pollinate every flower, covering the entire pistil. You may want to repeat the process again to ensure each was done successfully.
You'll know the flower was successfully pollinated when the white petals begin to die, leaving behind the surrounding green leaves (called the sepal) where the strawberry will soon grow.
Avoid Diseases And Tip Burn
Tip burn is a calcium deficiency that occurs in strawberry plants grown at low humidity levels. Because their leaves continually release water vapor into the air, dry conditions can cause the leaves to appear burned around the edges.
If you grow strawberries indoors, you likely won't have any problems with bacterial and fungal diseases. But do keep your eyes out for mites and aphids.
Growing in multiple small containers instead of one large container prevents infestations from ruining your entire crop. The key to avoiding disease and pests is to maintain a clean growing space and avoid overwatering.
Harvest Strawberries
Harvesting your juicy strawberries as soon as they ripen encourages your plant to produce fruits. You'll know strawberries are ripe when they are bright red from top to bottom. Strawberries that have green or yellow towards the ends won't taste as sweet as those that are entirely red. It's important to note that strawberries do not continue to ripen after they are picked.
Use An Indoor Strawberry Growing Kit
There's no shame in needing a little help to grow strawberries indoors. If you want to try growing strawberries indoors but don't have the greenest thumb, try using an indoor strawberry growing kit. These kits set you up for success by providing a planter, seeds, soil, and step-by-step instructions. More advanced sets come with an LED grow light and pre-planted seed pods that can be inserted directly into the growing container.
Growing Strawberry Plants Requirements
Light
Like all garden plants, the key to successfully growing strawberry plants indoors is to make sure you provide enough sunlight. Strawberry plants require at least six hours of direct sunlight per day. Ideally, strawberries need 12-14 hours of sun exposure. Unless you've placed your strawberries in an extremely sunny window, you'll probably need supplemental plant lighting.
An LED growth light can provide your strawberry plants with the perfect amount of light and support healthy growth.
Water
To grow strawberries indoors, they will need consistent watering in order to produce juicy berries and sizable harvests. The plants usually need to be watered daily during the growing season and every other day (or once the top inch is dry) afterward.
While strawberries are a water-loving plant, you can overwater them. Keep the soil moist and water evenly. Use a planter with adequate drainage to avoid root rot and disease. If you can't keep a watchful eye on your indoor strawberry plants, opt for a light that features a built-in timer.
Soil
The right soil for indoor strawberry cultivation is crucial for successful growth and bountiful harvests. Opt for a well-draining potting mix with good aeration properties. A mix specifically designed for berries or vegetables is an excellent choice. Ensure it has a slightly acidic to neutral pH between 6.0 and 7.0, as strawberries thrive in this range.
Avoid heavy garden soil, which can lead to poor drainage and compaction. Additionally, it enriches the soil with organic matter like compost to provide essential nutrients. Proper soil preparation sets the foundation for healthy, vibrant indoor strawberry plants, creating luscious, homegrown berries.
Fertilizer
Strawberry plants prefer slightly acidic potting soil but can grow strawberries in neutral oil. Strawberry plants grow best in soil with a pH level between 6.0 to 6.5, but they can survive in pH levels ranging from 5.5 to 7.0.
Strawberry plants also require ample nutrients from fertilizer, peat moss, or compost. Be sure your fertilizer includes nitrogen, which helps build healthy leaves, and phosphorus, which helps with flowering and fruit-bearing. Liquid fertilizer such as 20-20-20 is a great option. Remember, whichever brand you choose, make sure there is enough nitrogen to grow strawberries.
Temperature
Growing strawberries indoors requires maintaining consistent temperatures to ensure successful cultivation. Aim for daytime temperatures between 60°F to 75°F (15°C to 24°C). Slightly cooler nighttime temperatures are acceptable but avoid extremes. These temperature ranges encourage healthy growth, flowering, and fruit production for indoor strawberries. It's essential to provide adequate insulation and temperature control if your indoor environment experiences temperature fluctuations.
Consider using a thermometer to monitor conditions and make any necessary adjustments, such as using heating mats or cooling fans, to keep your strawberry plants within their preferred temperature range for optimal results and a bountiful harvest.
Humidity
Maintaining appropriate humidity levels is crucial for successfully growing strawberries indoors. Aim for a relative humidity range of around 60% to 70%. Adequate humidity promotes healthy plant growth, prevents drying out, and encourages proper fruit development.
To achieve the desired humidity, consider using a room humidifier or a humidity tray filled with water near your strawberry plants. Proper ventilation and spacing between plants can also help maintain humidity levels. Monitoring and adjusting indoor humidity as needed will help ensure your indoor strawberry plants thrive, producing plump, sweet berries that are a joy to harvest and enjoy year-round.
Pruning
Pruning is an essential practice when growing strawberries indoors to ensure healthy, productive plants. Begin by regularly removing any yellowing or dead leaves, as they can harbor pests and diseases. Trim off runners, the long stems that extend from the main plant, to encourage energy redirection toward fruit production.
Maintain a well-ventilated canopy by thinning crowded areas and removing excessive foliage, allowing adequate light penetration and reducing the risk of fungal issues. Additionally, pinch off any excessive flower buds during the first year of growth to promote stronger root development. Pruning is a key component of indoor strawberry care, fostering robust plants and maximizing your harvest.
Common Problems
Fungal Diseases
Indoor environments with high humidity can promote fungal diseases such as gray mold (Botrytis cinerea) and powdery mildew. Adequate ventilation, spacing, and proper watering can help mitigate these issues.
Pests
Aphids, spider mites, and whiteflies are common pests that can infest indoor strawberry plants. Regular inspection and the use of natural predators or safe pest control methods are essential for pest management.
Low Humidity
Indoor environments are often dry, and low humidity can stress strawberry plants, affecting their growth and fruit production. Using a room humidifier or humidity tray can help increase indoor humidity levels.
Insufficient Light
Strawberries require ample sunlight or artificial growth lights. Insufficient light can result in leggy, weak plants and poor fruit production. Supplemental lighting may be necessary.
Overwatering or Underwatering
Improper watering is a common issue. Overwatering can lead to root rot, while underwatering can cause stress and reduced fruit production. Maintain consistent soil moisture by checking the soil regularly.
Inadequate Pollination
Indoor strawberries may not receive adequate pollination from natural pollinators like bees. Hand-pollination using a soft brush can help ensure fruit development.
Nutrient Deficiencies
Without access to outdoor soil, indoor plants may be prone to nutrient deficiencies. Regular fertilization with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer can prevent this issue.
Temperature Fluctuations
Sudden temperature changes, especially near heating sources, can stress strawberry plants. Maintain a stable temperature range to promote healthy growth.
Dormancy Challenges
Indoor strawberries may not go through a natural dormancy period, affecting their fruiting cycle. Some varieties are better suited to indoor cultivation and require less cold exposure.
Crowded Growth
Overcrowding can limit air circulation and increase the risk of disease. Proper spacing and pruning are essential for maintaining healthy plants.
