Alpine Strawberry
Fragaria vesca
Alpine strawberries are compact plants that bear small, intensely flavoured berries from early summer to fall. They do not spread by runners, so they suit edging, pots and shady corners.
Photo: Ermell · CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Essential Care Requirements
Light
Partial sun, Full sun
Watering
Moderate
Keep moist, especially in pots.
Soil
Humus-rich, well-drained soil; pH 5.5–6.5.
Temperature and humidity
-25–30 °C · Moderate humidity
Feeding
Feed monthly with a potassium-rich feed while fruiting.
Pruning and propagation
Propagate by seed, division
Remove old leaves in early spring.
Alpine strawberries are safe to eat.
Top Cultivation Tips
Yellow-fruited types are less noticed by birds.
Tolerates more shade than garden strawberries.
Easy from seed.
Hardy in USDA zones 4–9.
Common problems
Grey mould
A fungal rot that covers flowers, fruit and soft stems with fuzzy grey mould in cool, damp conditions.
How to treat it →PestSnails and slugs
Night-feeding molluscs that chew ragged holes in leaves, seedlings and soft stems, especially in wet weather.
How to treat it →PestVine weevil
Adult beetles notch leaf edges at night, while their soil-dwelling grubs eat roots, often killing container plants before you notice.
How to treat it →
