Question: Will Strawberry Plants Come from a Buried Strawberry?
David asked:
What happens if I plant directly the fruit in the ground? Will the seeds germinate?
Answer to: Will Strawberry Plants Come from a Buried Strawberry?
David,
If you dig a hole, put a strawberry in it, and cover it up, you most likely won’t ever see strawberry plants grow from the strawberry. In nature, the strawberries are eaten by birds and other critters, and the seeds are subsequently passed. This usually occurs during the spring or summer. As the seeds plummet to the ground in their, ahem, new environment, they splat and get covered by a thin layer of organic matter/dirt over the course of the rest of summer, fall, and winter. Out of this thin layer of soil, following months of cold, the seeds will germinate with the first warm weather of late winter or spring. The seedlings are tiny. If they are below the surface more than just a bit, they won’t be able to make their way to the light (which helps some varieties germinate as well). So, if you are trying to grow a strawberry plant from a strawberry, the best option is to thinly slice the strawberry, dry it, and then lightly cover it where you would like it to sprout outdoors prior to the cold winter temperatures. This can be a rewarding experience IF you can keep the bugs and the birds from finding, stealing, or destroying your buried strawberry slices. It is much easier to just buy strawberry plants from a nursery or supplier.
This is a question submitted to StrawberryPlants.org by a reader. See the Strawberry FAQ for more questions and answers.
Ruth Landmann says
This spring I’ve discovered a number of strawberry plants that I didn’t plant. (I’ve also purchased some plants this year and they’re doing nicely.) The only explanation I have for where these unexpected strawberry plants came from is my compost pile. I have tossed spoiled strawberries, and other pieces of strawberries that I didn’t eat into the compost pile. It’s the only explanation I have for where these new strawberry plants came from.
Dustin says
Yes if you dig a small hole in a pot of good soil and put the strawberry in the hole. You can mush it with a stick or just bury it so the green stem shows. Keep it watered frequently but lightly (misting), plenty of light and you will get sprouts in about 10 days. Did this and it worked.
Michelle says
I think I did something dumb I have a strawberry plant that grows really small strawberries I ate my best strawberry and tossed it back in the strawberry plant. 1. Will it grow? 2. How do I get bigger strawberries?
Luke Ashmore says
The tiny type of strawberries are wild strawberries, they are much sweeter that bigger ones. I love the taste and the size is a cool novelty
Mishka says
I have a strawberry patch that is 4 years old. When my 2 year old daughter plays outside we eat and eat those sugary treats. I tell her to throw the green top into a Bush covered area…. my “second strawberry patch”
You can grow strawberries from strawberries. I do not bury them. Just let nature do is work!!!!!
Liz Annoni says
Okay you convinced me.. I had 4 left overs from the fridge I put them out.. I left the stem showing..
Jules says
I’m wanting to grow some strawberry’s indoors in Saskatchewan during the summer. I am wondering if just throwing in a strawberry or some of its seeds will work??
Cindy says
I had about 6 strawberries and decided to bury them. I tossed them in a pot with potting soil and some dirt from my yard and added water and literally stirred them up. A few weeks later I had buds and now I have lots of strawberry plants! I was shocked because I don’t have a green thumb : )
Mr. Strawberry says
Cindy,
That’s great! Keep us posted on how it goes, and good luck!
Ronald says
I will have to disagree, I buried 6 strawberries in a pot and now I have 13 sprouts popping out of the soil. The answer is Yes, strawberries will grow from buried strawberries.
Mr. Strawberry says
Ronald,
Thanks for sharing! Keep us posted!
Jett says
Any special mix of soil?
Cathy Short says
If I cut the tops off strawberries and plantthem will they gro
Mr. Strawberry says
Cathy Short,
Unfortunately, strawberries will not grow in the same way as pineapple plants will. Sorry!
Tim says
I tried drying the tops out and placing them a quarter of an inch below the surface and there were many seeds on them . I noticed that within a week they moulded in the dirt . Even though I dried them for weeks beforehand. That’s why I’m here looking for ideas because it’s harvest season now . Take care.
Chao Lin says
Can you plant a strawberry from a buried strawberry?
Mr. Strawberry says
Chao Lin,
Yes, it is possible to plant a strawberry and have one or more seeds germinate into strawberry plants. It is typically better, however, to remove the seeds and allow each one an opportunity to germinate independently. Good luck!
Kathy says
How do you germinate strawberry seeds ?
Mr. Strawberry says
Kathy,
This should help. Good luck!
Joan says
I tossed a few old strawberries out for the birds about a month ago and today I have small strawberry plants growing in my back yard where they were tossed.
Mr. Strawberry says
Joan,
Great news! Good luck!
Dee Moore says
We have resently bout strawberries and some were roten,if I plant the strawberries as is will they grow a strawberry plant,or what should I do to grow on?
Mr. Strawberry says
Dee Moore,
You can grow strawberries from seed. See here. Good luck!
Me says
I have a strawberry and some of the seeds on it were starting to sprout I picked it and was wondering if I could plant it or bury the half that wasn’t sprouting and it would grow?
Mr. Strawberry says
Me,
Yes, you can plant it and grow strawberry plants from the viviparously germinating seeds. However, you will need to remove most of them as none will do well if they are all planted that closely together. You can cut off sections of the strawberry and plant each in a separate location (like planting multiple eyes from a single potato), if you’d like. For more information, see this post on vivipary in strawberries. Good luck!