If you’re looking for a strawberry plant that’s both beautiful and productive, you’ve found it. The strawberry shake plant is a fantastic choice for gardeners of any level.
This easy-to-grow strawberry plant offers gorgeous pink flowers and sweet berries. It’s a day-neutral type, meaning it fruits all season long. You’ll get a steady harvest from spring until fall.
Let’s get your garden growing.
Strawberry Shake Plant
This plant is a true ornamental edible. Its name comes from the soft pink color of its flowers, which resemble a strawberry milkshake. The berries are conical, medium-sized, and have a classic, sweet strawberry flavor.
Because it’s day-neutral, it doesn’t rely on specific day lengths to produce fruit. This makes the strawberry shake plant a reliable producer. It’s perfect for containers, hanging baskets, or garden beds.
Why Choose This Strawberry Variety?
There are many reasons this plant stands out. First, it’s incredibly versatile. You can grow it almost anywhere with good sunlight.
Second, it’s as pretty as it is practical. The pink blooms attract pollinators and look lovely mixed with other plants. Finally, its long harvest season means more berries for you.
Here are some key benefits:
- Continuous harvest from late spring to autumn frosts.
- High resistance to common strawberry diseases like powdery mildew.
- Excellent performance in both containers and in-ground gardens.
- Produces runners, allowing you to propagate new plants for free.
Getting Started: Planting Your Strawberry Shake
Success begins with proper planting. You can start with bare-root plants or potted seedlings from your local nursery. The best times to plant are early spring or early autumn.
Choose a site that gets at least 6-8 hours of direct sun daily. The soil should be well-draining and rich in organic matter. Strawberries hate wet feet, so good drainage is crucial.
Follow these steps for planting:
- Prepare the soil by mixing in several inches of compost or aged manure.
- Dig a hole wide and deep enough to spread the roots out without bending them.
- Place the plant so the crown (where the roots meet the stems) is level with the soil surface. Burying it too deep can cause rot.
- Space plants about 12-18 inches apart in rows that are 2-3 feet apart.
- Water thoroughly after planting to settle the soil around the roots.
Container Growing Tips
This is where the strawberry shake plant really shines. Use a pot at least 12 inches wide and deep with drainage holes. A high-quality potting mix is best—don’t use garden soil in containers.
You can plant one plant per 12-inch pot. For strawberry jars or long planters, space them about 8 inches apart. Containers dry out faster, so you’ll need to check the moisture level frequently.
Essential Care and Maintenance
Caring for your plants is straightforward. Consistent care leads to a bigger, sweeter harvest. The main tasks are watering, feeding, and occasional pruning.
Watering is the most critical job. Aim for about 1 inch of water per week. Water at the base of the plants to keep leaves dry and prevent disease. Drip irrigation or a soaker hose works great.
Fertilize your plants to support their long fruiting season. Use a balanced, organic fertilizer when planting. Then, feed them again after the first major harvest, and once more in late summer. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers, which promote leaves over fruit.
Managing Runners and Berries
The strawberry shake plant will send out runners (long stems with new baby plants). For the biggest berry yield, it’s often recommended to pinch off these runners in the first year. This lets the mother plant put all its energy into fruit production.
You can let some runners root in year two to expand your patch. Simply peg the little plantlet into the soil while it’s still attached to the mother. Once it’s rooted, you can cut the connecting stem.
To keep fruit clean and prevent rot, use a mulch layer. Straw, pine needles, or black landscape fabric are ideal choices. This also helps supress weeds and conserve soil moisture.
Common Problems and Simple Solutions
Even easy-to-grow plants can face a few issues. Being proactive is the key to healthy plants.
Birds and squirrels love strawberries as much as we do. The best defense is a physical barrier. Use bird netting over your plants once the berries start to ripen. Make sure the netting is secure so no animals get tangled.
Slugs and snails can be a nuisance, especially in damp weather. Hand-pick them in the evening or use organic slug bait. Keeping the area free of debris where they hide helps alot.
Watch for signs of leaf spot or gray mold (botrytis). Remove any diseased leaves or berries immediately. Good air circulation, proper spacing, and avoiding overhead watering are the best preventions.
Harvesting and Enjoying Your Crop
The moment you’ve been waiting for! Berries are ready to pick when they are fully red and firm. The best flavor comes from berries that are picked at peak ripeness.
Harvest in the cool of the morning. Gently twist the berry off the stem, leaving the green cap (calyx) attached. Try to handle them as little as possible to avoid bruising.
Fresh strawberries don’t store for long. Eat them within a few days. For longer storage, you can freeze them. Here’s a quick method:
- Wash and hull the berries.
- Pat them completely dry with a towel.
- Spread them in a single layer on a baking sheet.
- Freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag.
This easy-to-grow strawberry plant gives you so many options. Enjoy them fresh, in salads, on cereal, or as a simple dessert. They also make wonderful jam.
Overwintering Your Plants
In most climates, strawberry shake plants are perennial and will come back year after year. In fall, after growth slows, you can clean up old dead leaves. Add a fresh layer of mulch around the plants for winter protection.
In containers, you have two choices. You can move the pot to an unheated garage or shed for winter. Or, you can bury the pot in the ground and mulch over it. This insulates the roots from freezing temperatures.
In spring, remove excess winter mulch and feed the plants to encourage new growth. Your plants will start the cycle all over again, often more vigorously than the first year.
FAQ
How much sun does a strawberry shake plant need?
It needs full sun, meaning at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day for the best fruit production.
Is the strawberry shake plant an everbearer?
Yes, it’s a day-neutral type, which is often called an everbearer. It produces fruit continuously through the growing season rather than in one big burst.
Can I grow strawberry shake plants from seed?
It’s possible but not recommended for beginners. They are typically grown from bare-root or starter plants because seeds take much longer and can be unreliable. Starting with plants gives you a head start.
How often should I water my strawberry plants?
Water deeply when the top inch of soil feels dry. This is usually about 1-2 times per week, but container plants may need water every day in hot weather. Consistent moisture is vital, especially when fruit is developing.
What makes this an easy-to-grow strawberry plant?
Its disease resistance, adaptability to containers, and continuous fruiting habit make it low-maintenance. It forgives some beginner mistakes and still produces a rewarding harvest.
Do I need to pollinate the flowers?
Bees and other insects usually handle pollination. If you’re growing indoors, you might need to gently shake the plants or use a small brush to transfer pollen between flowers.
Adding the strawberry shake plant to your garden is a decision you won’t regret. With minimal effort, you’ll gain a beautiful plant that provides months of sweet, homegrown fruit. Get your plants in the ground, follow these simple steps, and you’ll be enjoying your own strawberry shakes in no time.