Not everyone has large amounts of space to be able to grow strawberry plants in the ground, thus you have the option to grow strawberry plants in pots.
They require little maintenance and produce lots of tasty berries.
In this article, we will give you all the information that you need to be able to grow your strawberries in pots at home.
Choose The Right Pot
You can choose from a wide range of pots when it comes to growing strawberries in pots.
There are large pots with drainage holes at the bottom, small pots without drainage holes and even pots made out of plastic or glass.
The type of pot you use will depend on how much space your plant has available and what kind of soil mix you’re using.
If you have limited space, then opt for smaller pots. This way, you won’t need to worry about having too many plants.
You also don’t need to be concerned if you get more than one strawberry plant, as they can easily share a pot.
If you have plenty of room and want to give your plants good light, then go for larger pots.
These will allow you to place your plant where there is sunlight all day long.
The size of the pot should also match the size of your plant.
For example, if you buy a 4-inch pot, then your strawberry plant should be no bigger than 4 inches tall.
Soil Mix
The first thing you’ll need to do is add some soil mix into your pot.
Strawberry plants like moist soil, so make sure you keep an eye on the level of water in your pot.
When adding soil mix, always start by making a hole in the center of the pot. Then fill the rest of the pot with soil.
Make sure you pack the soil down firmly around the roots of the plant. Add a layer of pebbles or gravel around the base of the pot.
This helps prevent any excess moisture from getting trapped between the pot and the floor. It also gives your plant extra support.
Then you can plant your strawberry plants in their new pot and soil.
Water Your Plant
After planting your strawberry plant, you’ll need to water it regularly.
This will help ensure it gets enough nutrients and moisture throughout its growth cycle.
Watering your plant daily will encourage healthy root development.
However, if you live in a hot climate, you may need to water your plant a couple of times a day, or if you live in a cooler climate then once every two days.
Watering your plant less will often help reduce the risk of disease. Also, watering your plant less frequently means your plant will grow faster.
As soon as you see new leaves appear, stop watering your plant. When this happens, your plant will begin to develop strong roots.
Feed Your Plant
Your strawberry plant needs to eat during its vegetative stage. During this time, your plant will grow new stems and leaves.
To feed your plant, simply sprinkle some fertilizer onto the surface of the soil. Be careful not to overdo it though.
Too much fertilizer will cause your plant to become leggy and spindly.
Once your plant reaches the flowering stage, you’ll no longer need to feed it. Instead, focus on keeping your plant watered.
Pick A Variety Of Strawberries
There are hundreds of varieties of strawberries that you can choose from. Some are very easy to grow, while others take a lot of effort.
Strawberry plants come in different colors such as red, yellow, pink, and white.
If you prefer a specific color, then look for a variety that has those same characteristics.
For instance, if you want a bright red fruit, then choose a variety that produces berries with deep red skin.
Strawberry plants also come in different sizes. The biggest ones tend to produce the largest fruits. Smaller plants produce smaller fruits.
If you don’t know which variety of strawberry would work best for you, then try growing several different types of plants.
You might find one that grows well in your pots.
Keep An Eye On Your Plants
You should check your plants at least twice per week. This way, you can spot any problems before they get out of hand.
Look for signs of pests such as aphids, slugs, and snails. These pests can quickly destroy your entire crop.
Also, be sure to check your plant for diseases. Diseases can easily spread through your strawberry plants.
So, it’s important to remove diseased plants immediately.
Harvest Your Fruit
When your strawberry plants reach maturity, you’ll notice the first fruits appearing on the vines.
The first batch of fruits usually ripens within the first few weeks after planting. After this point, your plant will continue producing berries until it dies off.
The amount of time it takes for your plant to mature depends on the variety you chose. For example, “Yoka” is an early maturing variety.
It typically produces berries within three months. However, other varieties like “Lincoln” or “Red Chief” will take up to four months to fully mature.
After harvesting your berries, wash them thoroughly under running water.
Rinse each berry individually so that you avoid spreading diseases between batches.
Wash your berries by placing them into a bowl filled with cold water. Swirl the berries around in the water.
Let them sit there for about five minutes. Then drain the berries and repeat the process again.
This helps rinse away dirt and debris. Also, it removes excess moisture from the berries.
Conclusion
It is quite easy to grow strawberry plants in a pot. You need to make sure that you get the right sized pot and treat them like any other plant.
Feed them and keep them well watered. Strawberry plants can thrive by living in a pot, and they keep reproducing fruit for years to come.
Now you can confidently plant your strawberry plants in pots, knowing how to properly take care of them.
