Strawberries are a beloved crop, often propagated by splitting crowns or using runners. However, there's a less common but effective technique: using seeds from your own strawberries.
If you're curious about growing strawberries from a strawberry, the process involves harvesting, drying, and cold-storing the seeds before sowing them to cultivate new plants.
Learning how to grow strawberries equips you with the skills to nurture these perennial plants that provide delightful fruit year after year. Once you've found varieties you enjoy, replicating them using your homegrown strawberries becomes straightforward.
Homegrown strawberries can yield seeds for numerous new plants
Can you grow strawberries from a strawberry?
There are four primary methods for propagating strawberries. Besides purchasing plants, you can split existing crowns, grow new plants from runners, or use seeds. The last method allows for growing strawberries directly from another berry.
Growing strawberries from seeds is quite simple. While seeds are usually available commercially, harvesting seeds from your favorite berry can be a fun way to expand your garden without spending extra.
According to garden expert Dick Zondag, it’s important to identify and harvest seeds from strawberries correctly. He explains: 'The fruit is called an achene or “False Fruit.” The seeds are embedded in a fleshy receptacle, with many seeds around each fruit. To collect them, let the fruit ripen completely before drying.'
The juicy berry is the part that swells, while the small white dots on the surface are called achenes. Each achene contains a strawberry seed that can be harvested and planted to grow new strawberry plants.
The achenes on the strawberry each have a seed
Steps to grow strawberries from a strawberry
Mary Jane Duford, a gardening enthusiast, suggests selecting the 'healthiest ripe strawberries' for seed collection and offers an 8-step method to transform a picked strawberry into new plants.
- Gently mash the strawberry or blend it on low speed.
- Strain the pulp and rinse the seeds under running water.
- Spread the seeds on a coffee filter, paper towel, or wax paper to dry for 1-2 weeks.
- Cold-stratify the seeds by placing them in the fridge for 4-6 weeks. This can be done in a sealed bag or on a small bed of growing medium inside a plastic bag.
- After 4-6 weeks, take the bag out and let it come to room temperature for a few hours before opening it.
- Sow the seeds in seed-starting trays with a sterile mix – for example, the Back to the Roots Natural and Organic 3-in-1 Seed Starting Mix available at Walmart. There's no need to cover the seeds with soil since they are quite small.
- Water the seeds using a mister to avoid over-saturation.
- Cover with a germination dome or plastic wrap for 2-4 weeks while they germinate. Maintain moisture and remove the cover once sprouts appear. Consider MIXC Plant Nursery Pots with Humidity Dome available at Amazon.
Seeds typically take about a month to germinate. You can then transplant them into your yard or a container garden, as you can successfully grow strawberries in pots. Keep in mind that the first year will mainly be for establishment, with the first harvest likely occurring in the second year.
Instead of mashing, you can slice the strawberry thinly and dry it out. This method allows for cold-stratification indoors or outdoor planting, covering lightly with soil to protect from birds and pests, hoping for germination in spring.
Thinly sow strawberry seeds without covering as they're very small
Can you grow strawberries from a strawberry top?
Unlike some fruits and vegetables that can be regrown from scraps, strawberries cannot be propagated this way. Cutting off a strawberry top and planting it will not lead to root growth; the only method is to sow the seeds from a ripe berry.
Strawberries can only be grown from seeds, divisions, or runners
Can you grow strawberries from store-bought strawberries?
Growing strawberries from those purchased at a store is possible, but not recommended. While you can extract seeds from these berries, several challenges exist.
Store-bought strawberries may have been treated with chemicals that inhibit growth. For example, it's not advised to grow garlic from grocery store garlic due to similar treatments.
Another concern is the unknown variety of strawberries you might end up growing. Many grocery store strawberries are hybrids, meaning their seeds might not germinate or yield plants producing the same type of berry. This can be a fun project for children, but likely won’t result in productive plants.
Opting for strawberries from local farms or farmers markets can provide better chances for successful growth, as you can learn more about the fruits and ensure they are suitable for your climate. Knowing the plants you grow will thrive in your area is essential for a fruitful harvest.
Understanding how to grow strawberries from a strawberry offers a budget-friendly approach to expanding your garden. Strawberries are adaptable and can flourish in various settings – whether in the ground, raised beds, or containers. If you have a favorite variety, it's worthwhile to cultivate more!
