How to Repot a Strawberry
Repot Strawberries every 1 to 2 years into a pot that's 1 to 2 inches wider than the current pot. Use a rich, well-draining mix of standard potting soil with a handful of perlite and compost. Early spring, before flowering starts, is the best time.
How to Know It's Time to Repot
Strawberries are heavy feeders that exhaust their potting soil quickly, so they show signs of needing a fresh pot within a year or two. Watch for these four signals.
-
1Roots circle the bottom of the pot or push out through the drainage holes.
-
2The plant has roughly doubled in size since you last potted it up.
-
3Soil dries out within a day or two of a thorough watering.
-
4Fruit yields have dropped off, or new flowers are noticeably smaller than last season's.
One sign alone isn't enough to act on, but two or more together means it's time. Most container Strawberries need a fresh pot every 1 to 2 years, with the soil refreshed each spring even if you don't size up.
The Best Time of Year to Repot
Strawberries recover fastest from repotting when they're just waking up in early spring, before flowers and fruit start drawing energy from the roots. A few weeks after the last hard frost is the sweet spot.
Avoid repotting once the plant is in full flower or fruit, since the root disturbance will drop blossoms and shrink the harvest. Use the map below to find your window.
How to Choose a Pot and Soil Mix
Pot Size
Move up to a pot that's 1 to 2 inches wider than the current pot. That gives the roots fresh soil and room to spread for another full fruiting season, without leaving so much wet soil around the roots that they rot.
Pot Material
Terracotta and fabric grow bags are both excellent for Strawberries. Both breathe well, which keeps the roots cool and prevents the soggy soil that causes crown rot.
Plastic and glazed ceramic work too, but you'll need to water more carefully in either, since they hold moisture longer. Whichever material you pick, make sure the pot has drainage holes. Strawberries rot fast in standing water.
Soil Mix
Mix two parts standard potting soil with one part compost and a generous handful of perlite for the rich, well-draining blend Strawberries want. The compost feeds heavy fruit production while the perlite keeps water moving through.
Skip moisture-control formulas and dense peat-heavy mixes. Both hold too much water around the crown and lead to rot.
How to Repot a Strawberry, Step by Step
-
1Water the day before. Give the plant a thorough drink the day before repotting. Moist soil holds the root ball together when you slide it out and keeps the fine roots from tearing as you work.
-
2Pick the new pot. Choose a pot that's 1 to 2 inches wider than the current pot, with drainage holes. Layer an inch of fresh mix in the bottom so the crown will sit right at the soil line, not above or below it.
-
3Slide the plant out. Tip the pot onto its side and gently work the root ball loose. Avoid pulling on the leaves or fruit stems. If the plant is stuck, run a butter knife around the inside edge of the pot to release it.
-
4Inspect the roots and crown. Gently loosen the outer roots and snip away any that are black, mushy, or smell off. Trim any dead leaves from around the crown, but never bury the crown itself, since that causes rot.
-
5Set it in the new pot. Center the plant with the crown right at the soil line, where the leaves meet the roots. Fill in around the sides with fresh mix, pressing gently as you go to remove air pockets.
-
6Water and place in full sun. Water slowly until you see it run out the drainage holes. Set the pot back in its sunny spot, since Strawberries need at least six hours of direct sun for good fruit. Hold off on fertilizer for 4 to 6 weeks so the roots can settle in.
What to Expect After Repotting
Week 1 to 2
A little wilting in the heat of the day is normal as the roots settle in. Older leaves may yellow and drop, but the crown should stay firm and green.
Keep the soil evenly moist but never soggy, give the plant full sun, and skip fertilizer for now. Pinch off any flowers that appear so the plant can put its energy into roots.
Weeks 3 to 6
New leaves unfurling from the crown is the clearest signal that the plant has rooted in. From here you can let flowers stay on and begin fruiting again.
Start half-strength liquid tomato or balanced fertilizer once new growth is visible, and build up to full strength over the next two or three feedings. Strawberries are heavy feeders during fruit set.
Got More Questions?
About This Article
