How to grow strawberries on a balcony? When to plant and how to care for them?

If you do not have a garden, you do not have to give up growing strawberries at all. Strawberries on a balcony or terrace are a proven solution, and what’s more — these plants can even be grown indoors! Growing strawberries in containers can be very successful and produce a surprisingly large harvest, as long as you devote a bit of time to it and follow our guidelines. Check which strawberries are suitable for pots and how to plant and care for them!

Which strawberry varieties are suitable for a balcony?

If you are interested in growing strawberries in pots, you should know that hanging climbing strawberries, also known as trailing strawberries, work best for this type of cultivation. What distinguishes them is that, unlike traditional varieties, they produce long and numerous runners that eventually begin to hang down or climb if they have something to support them. It should be noted that there are no true self-climbing strawberry varieties, as they do not produce tendrils. For this reason, if you decide to grow them, it is worthwhile to invest in a stand for climbing strawberries.

Long runners and numerous offshoots are produced by everbearing strawberries, also known as annual climbing strawberries, and these are the best choice when looking for strawberries for a balcony. If you care for them properly, they will produce fruit from May until the first autumn frosts.

One of the strawberry varieties suitable for balcony cultivation is Albion. It is an American hybrid that fruits in summer and autumn — it repeats fruiting every 3 weeks. The fruits of this very popular variety are large or very large and firm, and their flesh is very tasty, sweet-tart and juicy. Its runners are exceptionally decorative. This vigorous variety can also be grown as a tall-stem strawberry.

If you plan to order strawberry plants suitable for pot cultivation, you should also consider the variety ‘Summer Breeze Rose’. This variety produces delicious, juicy fruit from June to October. Its fruiting is very abundant. It has unique semi-double, pink, long-lasting flowers that resemble roses. You can also choose the potted strawberry variety ‘Summer Breeze Snow’ with white flowers.

Do not forget about the pineapple strawberry ‘Gasana’, whose fruits are very sweet and have exceptional flavour qualities. This variety is also known for its ornamental appearance. Until the first frosts, it produces large clusters of bright pink flowers. For lovers of wild-strawberry flavour, we recommend the variety ‘Rosana’.

What is the best container for planting strawberries on a balcony?

These plants can be grown in pots, but planting strawberries in a planter box is also a good idea. You must keep in mind that strawberry roots spread extensively, so the container should be at least 30 cm deep. A pot that is too shallow will hinder the plant’s development and may cause fruiting to stop.

Hanging pots work perfectly for trailing strawberry varieties; however, if you choose another option, remember to provide enough space for the plant’s runners. Tall and fairly narrow containers are an interesting solution. Sometimes hanging strawberries are grown in a basket, a gutter or a pipe with openings.

How to plant strawberries on a balcony?

The pot for strawberries should have drainage holes to allow water to flow out, and a drainage layer of expanded clay or gravel must be prepared at the bottom. A layer of peat substrate can be placed on top of the drainage.

If you have chosen hanging strawberries for the balcony and want to grow them in a hanging pot, containers with integrated saucers will work perfectly! It should be noted that freshly purchased seedlings must be planted in soil as soon as possible, as their roots dry out quickly. Hanging strawberries should be planted at intervals of about 20 cm.

When planting strawberries in pots, be careful not to place them too deep. The plant’s crown should remain above the soil. The roots must not be bent. After planting, water the strawberries generously. The smaller the container, the more frequently the plants need watering. On hot days, watering may be necessary even twice a day, but remember that overwatered strawberries rot. These plants should be watered in a way that does not wet the leaves and fruits—ideally by filling the saucer.

What soil is best for balcony strawberries in pots?

Strawberries grown in pots will thrive if you provide them with the right substrate. Strawberry seedlings for the balcony should be planted in humus-rich soil mixed with horticultural peat and compost. The soil pH should be slightly acidic or neutral.

When can strawberries be planted on a balcony?

Planting climbing strawberries on the balcony is best planned for May, once the risk of frost has passed. If the temperature drops after planting, the plants should be protected with horticultural fleece.

What fertiliser should be used for strawberries in pots?

Strawberries are best fertilised with compost or natural fertilisers. Liquid fertiliser for vegetables and fruiting plants can also be used.

How to grow strawberries indoors?

If you want to grow strawberries on a windowsill, remember that they will need plenty of sunlight. Regular watering will also be very important.

Strawberries on the balcony — what to do in winter? How to overwinter strawberries?

Overwintering strawberries in pots can be organised in several ways. If you have suitable conditions, move them to a room where the temperature is close to 0 ℃. However, such a place should not be dark, nor should it be humid. Plants overwintering indoors must be watered every two weeks. Climbing strawberries can also be overwintered on the balcony. However, you must place them in a cardboard box with a layer of polystyrene at the bottom — the sides of the box should also be insulated with polystyrene or wood shavings. It is also a good idea to apply such insulation on the top, and you can additionally wrap the entire box with horticultural fleece. When the temperature is above freezing, after removing the insulation, the strawberries should be lightly watered.