Fragaria x ananassa (frah-GAYR-ee-ah ah-nah-NAH-sah)
Family: RosaceaeNon-nativeHerbaceous (1-3 ft)
Herbaceous (1-3 ft)Non-native
Strawberries are a rosette-forming, broadleaf evergreen perennial in the Rosaceae (rose) family and originated in Europe as an accidental cross between a North American species and one from Chile. They are widely grown in gardens and commercially for the sweet red fruits. They grow 6 to 12 inches high and 1 to 2 feet wide and are generally classed as either June bearing or ever-bearing types. Plant strawberries in full sun to partial shade and 1 to 2.5 feet apart in rows that are spaced 3 to 5 feet apart. They prefer highly organic loam or clay soil that is moist but has good drainage. Since the roots of strawberry plants are short, they need to be watered frequently with 1 inch of water. In the first year, pick off the blooms so that the plant can establish itself. The plants reproduce by sending out runners that easily root. These can be removed to encourage better fruit production. The plants generally need replacing every 3 to 4 years. Strawberries can be grown as a groundcover or a mass planting in beds, in raised beds, or in containers on a sunny patio. They are perfect in an edible garden. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Strawberry plants have multiple pest and disease problems. See the Strawberry Diagnostic Key for a visual diagnostic guide to the diseases and disorders of strawberries. VIDEO Created by Laura Barth for "Vegetables, Herbs, Fruits, and Nuts," a plant identification course developed in partnership with Longwood Gardens.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; High Organic Matter; Loam (Silt)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in. | Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
High
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (1-3 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Clumping
Texture
Medium
Foliage
Broadleaf Evergreen
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
Leaf arrangement
Rosulate
Leaf shape
Orbicular; Ovate
Leaf margin
Dentate
Leaf size
1-3 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
Yes
Leaf detail
The leaves are trifoliate, dark green with paler and hairy undersides. Leaflets are ovate to orbicular and the lateral veins are parallel.
Fall color
Gold/Yellow; Orange; Red/Burgundy
Flower color
Gold/Yellow; Pink; Red/Burgundy; White
Flower value
Showy
Flower shape
Saucer
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
5-petaled white to reddish pink flowers with yellow centers, each with multiple stamens and pistils.
Bloom time
Spring
Fruit color
Red/Burgundy
Fruit type
Achene; Aggregate
Fruit value
Edible; Showy
Fruit size
1-3 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Fruit detail
The red, sweet, fleshy portion of a strawberry is an "accessory fruit" that holds the true fruits. Each of the seeds on the pitted surface are individual achenes developed from the flower's ovaries. They hang on long pedicels.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Non-native
Origin
Europe
Wildlife value
Members of the genus Fragaria support the following specialized bee: Andrena (Micrandrena) melanochroa.
Crickets in Strawberries; Fire Ants in Strawberries; Sugarcane Beetle in Strawberries; Whiteflies in Strawberries; Tarnished Plant Bug in Strawberries; Sap Beetles in Strawberries; Spittlebug in Strawberries; Aphids in Strawberries; Cutworms in Strawberries; Cyclamen Mites in Strawberries; Flower Thrips in Strawberries; Leafrollers in Strawberries; Carmine Mites in Stawberries; Corn Earworm in Strawberries; Strawberry Clipper Weevils in Strawberry; Spotted Wing Drosophila in Strawberries; Strawberry Rootworm in Strawberry; Strawberry Crown Borer in Strawberries; European Corn Borer in Strawberries; Catfacing
Disease problems
Botrytis Fruit Rot / Gray Mold on Strawberry; Botrytis Fruit Rot / Gray Mold on Strawberry; Gnomonia Leaf Blotch and Stem-End Rot of Strawberry; Anthracnose Fruit Rot of Strawberry
Other problems
Slugs in Strawberries; Sunburn; Water Damage; Drought Injury