Problems with growing strawberries? Frequently asked questions and practical solutions

2026-02-04

Are you working hard, yet your strawberry plantation still leaves much to be desired?

Are you wondering whether the problem lies with the strawberry plants or with your gardening skills? Don’t worry – in this article you will find answers to the most frequently asked questions and discover solutions to the most common problems.

1. Strawberry leaves are turning yellow – what should you do?
2. Strawberries are rotting – causes and solutions
3. Strawberry pests – how to identify them
4. Strawberry diseases – symptoms and control
5. Why are strawberries small?
6. No flowers on strawberries – possible causes

1. Why are strawberry leaves turning yellow? The most common causes

If you have encountered this problem, it is a sign that the plant is indeed struggling. However, it does not always mean disease – very often it is the result of improper care.

Nutrient deficiency – most often nitrogen. This shows as pale leaves starting from the bottom and weak growth of strawberry plants. Solution: apply a liquid fertiliser for strawberries or a multi-component fertiliser.
Iron deficiency – leaves turn yellow but the veins remain green. Solution: use a fertiliser with iron chelate and check soil pH (strawberries prefer slightly acidic soil – pH 5.5–6.5).
Magnesium deficiency – yellowing starts at the edges of older leaves. Solution: apply a foliar spray or use magnesium sulphate fertilisation.
Too frequent watering – strawberries do not like excess water. Symptoms include wilted leaves and root rot. Solution: reduce watering and make sure pots or soil have proper drainage.
Too little water – hard soil, dry leaves. Solution: water regularly in the morning and evening, moderately; you can also mulch the soil with straw, bark, or garden fleece.
Pests and diseases – yellowing may result from fungal diseases or pest feeding. Solution: remove infected plants, use crop rotation, and apply plant protection products if necessary.
Low temperatures – spring frosts or sudden temperature changes can cause temporary leaf yellowing. Solution: cover plants with garden fleece and support regeneration with foliar fertilisers.

Summary: yellowing leaves are a warning signal. It is best to start by checking the soil, fertilisation, and growing conditions – a quick response can save both the crop and the plant’s health.

2. Strawberries are rotting – causes and solutions

Rotting strawberries are characterised by soft decay and a grey, dusty coating. Most often, the problem is grey mould.

Prolonged moisture – frequent rainfall, high humidity, and dew promote fungal diseases. Solution: plant strawberries in sunny locations, ensure good soil permeability, and use mulching.
Overly dense planting – restricts airflow and light access. Solution: maintain proper spacing between plants, regularly remove excess runners and old leaves.
Poor air circulation – moisture lingers in the lower parts of plants. Solution: plant in rows that allow airflow, avoid low-lying areas, and thin plants regularly.
Fruit in contact with wet soil – encourages fungal and bacterial infections. Solution: use mulch or garden fleece and keep the plantation free of weeds.
Excessive watering – weakens plants and promotes disease. Solution: water moderately, preferably in the morning, directing water directly onto the soil.
Lack of regular harvesting – overripe fruit rots faster and infects others. Solution: harvest every 1–2 days and remove diseased and damaged fruit.

Summary: strawberry rot can be effectively reduced through proper care, watering, and regular plant inspection. Prevention is the key to healthy yields.

3. Strawberry pests – how to identify them

pests

Two-spotted spider mite – tiny light spots on leaves, fine webbing, yellowing and drying of leaves. Control: regular misting, sprays with appropriate products or garlic/nettle extracts.
Strawberry blossom weevil – damaged flower buds, buds drying out, lack of fruit. Control: removing damaged buds, spraying during bud formation, planting away from raspberries.
Aphids – curled leaves, sticky residue, stunted plant growth. Control: spraying with potassium soap, natural remedies (garlic, onion), chemical treatments in severe infestations.
Strawberry root weevil – notched leaf edges, wilting plants, damaged roots. Control: parasitic nematodes, traps, thorough weed removal.
Slugs – holes in fruit, slime trails, chewed leaves. Control: beer traps, barriers made of ash or bark, slug control products.

Summary: early identification of pests helps prevent losses and allows you to enjoy healthy strawberries throughout the season.

4. Strawberry diseases – symptoms and control

Grey mould – fruit rot, brown spots, grey coating. Control: removing infected fruit, mulching, spraying with fungicides or natural preparations.
Powdery mildew – white coating on leaves, leaf curling, deformed fruit. Control: sulphur sprays, removing infected leaves, planting resistant varieties.
Red leaf spot – reddish-brown spots, premature ageing of plants. Control: thinning plants, proper fertilisation, protective spraying.
Verticillium wilt – soil-borne disease, difficult to eliminate. Control: crop rotation, healthy strawberry plants, avoiding planting after solanaceous crops.

Summary: early disease detection and quick action are key to healthy plants and abundant harvests.

5. Why are strawberries small?

Improper fertilisation – nutrient deficiency, excess nitrogen, lack of phosphorus and potassium. Solution: use fertilisers with potassium and phosphorus during flowering and fruit set.
Unsuitable varieties – not all varieties produce large fruit. Solution: choose varieties known for large, tasty fruit, e.g. 'Elsanta', 'Senga Sengana'.
Lack of water during fruiting – leads to small fruit and uneven ripening. Solution: water regularly, preferably at the roots.
Overcrowded planting and excess runners – plants compete for nutrients and light. Solution: maintain spacing of 25–30 cm and remove excess runners.
Diseases and pests – plant stress affects fruit size. Solution: prevention, natural or chemical spraying, mulching, proper watering.
Improper pruning and care – plant energy goes into leaves rather than fruit. Solution: remove old leaves, prune excess runners, ensure good air circulation.

Summary: the causes of small fruit are often complex. Proper care, watering, and variety selection will help produce large, healthy strawberries.

6. No flowers on strawberries – possible causes

Plants too young – they flower only in the second year.
Unsuitable variety – some require a specific day length.
Improper fertilisation – excess nitrogen promotes leaf growth at the expense of flowers.
Too little light – at least 6 hours of sunlight per day.
Unfavourable weather conditions – frosts, low temperatures, cloudy days.
Plant stress caused by diseases and pests – improper watering or infections.

Solutions: choose the right variety, fertilise appropriately, plant in a sunny location, protect against frost, prevent diseases and pests, and maintain optimal soil moisture.

Summary: lack of flowers is usually the result of improper care, poor conditions, or unsuitable varieties. Understanding the causes allows for quick action and helps achieve abundant flowering and large fruit in future seasons.