Strawberries are one of the most beloved summer fruits, cherished for their sweetness, fragrance and versatility. They are a highlight of the British growing season and an essential feature in gardens, allotments and even containers on balconies. While most gardeners buy strawberry plants or runners, there is another fascinating and rewarding method: planting strawberries from an actual strawberry fruit. This approach involves extracting and germinating the tiny seeds that cover the outer surface of the fruit, then nurturing them into seedlings that grow into productive plants. It takes more patience than planting established runners, but it offers the satisfaction of raising strawberries from seed while often producing vigorous and unique plants.
Understanding strawberry seeds
Unlike many fruits, the seeds of a strawberry are not hidden inside but scattered across the skin of the berry. Each of these small specks is technically an achene, a seedlike structure that contains a single seed inside. A single strawberry can carry more than 200 of these, giving gardeners an abundance of potential plants from one fruit. However, not all seeds will germinate, and the plants that do grow may not always be identical to the parent fruit due to cross pollination. This is part of the charm and curiosity of growing strawberries from strawberries, as you may end up with new variations.
Choosing the right strawberry
If you want to try planting strawberries from a strawberry fruit, start by choosing the healthiest, ripest berry you can find. It is best to use organic strawberries or those from a trusted garden source, as shop bought fruit is sometimes treated to inhibit germination or transported in conditions that damage seed viability. Wild or heritage varieties are particularly rewarding, as their seeds often germinate more readily and produce robust plants. Avoid underripe or overripe fruit, as the seeds may not be fully mature or may have begun to deteriorate.
Extracting seeds from a strawberry
There are a few methods for removing seeds from a strawberry. The simplest is to slice off the outer layer of the fruit where the seeds sit, spread these slices on a paper towel and allow them to dry for a few days. Once dry, gently rub them to separate the seeds. Another method involves blending the fruit in water and allowing the heavier seeds to sink while the pulp floats, which can then be poured away. Whichever method you use, the aim is to free the tiny seeds from the flesh and dry them thoroughly so they can be stored or planted.
Stratification of seeds
Strawberry seeds benefit from stratification, a process of exposing them to a period of cold that mimics winter and breaks their dormancy. To do this, place the dried seeds in a small envelope or paper packet and keep them in the fridge for at least two to four weeks. Some gardeners prefer mixing the seeds with a little damp sand inside a sealed container before chilling them, which helps prepare them for germination. This step greatly improves germination rates and makes the seedlings stronger.
Preparing seed trays
Once stratified, strawberry seeds can be sown indoors in trays or pots. Fill a seed tray with a fine seed compost, pressing it down lightly to create a level surface. Strawberry seeds are tiny, so they should be scattered thinly across the surface and then covered with a very light dusting of compost or vermiculite. They need light to germinate, so avoid burying them too deeply. Water the tray gently with a fine spray to moisten the compost without washing away the seeds.
Germination of strawberry seeds
Strawberry seeds can take anywhere from two to six weeks to germinate, depending on the variety and growing conditions. Keep the tray in a bright but indirect light, ideally at a temperature between fifteen and twenty degrees Celsius. Covering the tray with a clear plastic lid or placing it in a propagator helps maintain humidity and warmth. Check regularly to ensure the compost remains moist but not waterlogged. As seedlings begin to emerge, thin them carefully to prevent overcrowding.
Transplanting seedlings
When strawberry seedlings are large enough to handle and have developed at least two or three true leaves, they can be pricked out and transplanted into individual pots. Use small pots filled with fresh compost, and handle the seedlings by their leaves rather than the delicate stems. Water them well after transplanting and keep them in a bright, sheltered spot to encourage further growth. Continue to care for them indoors or in a greenhouse until they are robust enough to be hardened off outdoors.
Planting out strawberry plants
After the last frost has passed, usually around late May or early June in much of the UK, young strawberry plants can be planted outside. Choose a sunny, sheltered site with well drained, fertile soil. Incorporating compost or well rotted manure into the soil improves fertility and moisture retention. Space the plants about thirty to forty five centimetres apart, with rows around seventy five centimetres apart. Plant them so the crown sits just above the soil surface, as burying it too deeply can cause rot. Water thoroughly after planting to help them establish.
Caring for young plants
Strawberries grown from seed take longer to establish than those planted from runners, so they need a little extra attention in their first year. Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged, and apply a mulch of straw or compost around the base to conserve moisture and suppress weeds. This mulch also helps keep developing fruit clean. Regular weeding is important, as young strawberry plants are easily outcompeted. A balanced liquid feed every few weeks during the growing season supports healthy growth.
Flowering and fruiting
Strawberries grown from seed usually do not produce a significant harvest in their first year. Instead, they concentrate on developing strong roots and crowns. By the second year, however, they will flower and set fruit just like other strawberry plants. The flowers are usually white or pink and are highly attractive to pollinators. Once pollinated, the berries begin to swell and ripen. Harvest when they are fully red and fragrant, picking regularly to encourage more fruit to develop.
Protecting strawberry plants
Strawberry plants are popular not just with gardeners but also with birds and slugs. Netting plants prevents birds from stealing the fruit, while slug traps or barriers reduce losses to these pests. Straw placed under ripening fruit keeps it clean and reduces the risk of rot from soil contact. Good air circulation around plants helps prevent fungal diseases such as grey mould, which can affect strawberries in damp conditions.
Saving seeds from your own plants
Once your seed grown strawberries mature and produce fruit, you can collect seeds from them to continue the cycle. The same method of slicing off the seed covered skin, drying it and saving the seeds can be used year after year. This allows you to build your own collection of strawberries uniquely adapted to your garden conditions. Because strawberries are often cross pollinated, seed saving may lead to interesting new variations in flavour, size and colour.
Why grow strawberries from a strawberry
Although it is slower than planting runners, growing strawberries from a strawberry fruit has unique benefits. It is an economical way to produce many plants at once, since a single berry can provide hundreds of seeds. It is also a fascinating experiment that allows gardeners to witness the full lifecycle of the plant, from seed to fruit. For those who enjoy variety, it is a way of discovering new traits and flavours that may not be found in standard cultivars. Most of all, it is a satisfying process that deepens your connection to the fruit and your garden.
Common mistakes to avoid
A common mistake is failing to stratify the seeds, which often results in poor germination. Planting seeds too deeply also prevents them from sprouting, as they need light to germinate. Overcrowding seedlings in trays leads to weak growth and damping off disease. Transplanting seedlings outside too early exposes them to frost, which they cannot withstand. Neglecting to mulch or protect fruit from birds often leads to disappointing harvests. Avoiding these errors makes the process smoother and more rewarding.
Conclusion
So, how do you plant strawberries from a strawberry? It begins with extracting seeds from a ripe berry, stratifying them in cold conditions and sowing them in trays indoors. With careful nurturing, the tiny seeds grow into seedlings that can be transplanted and eventually planted outside. Although the process takes more time than planting runners, it offers unique rewards, from the discovery of new plant variations to the satisfaction of raising fruit from seed. With patience and proper care, these plants will go on to produce delicious strawberries for years, making the effort worthwhile.
