What Are Runners In Plants

If you’ve ever wondered how a strawberry patch expands or how mint seems to take over a garden bed, you’ve seen runners in action. Understanding what are runners in plants is essential for plant reproduction and helps you manage your garden better.

These clever stems are a plant’s way of creating new generations. They allow a single plant to colonize an area without needing seeds. For gardeners, this means free plants and easy propagation, but it also requires some control.

In botany, a runner is a specialized stem. It grows horizontally along the soil surface from the main plant. We call these stems stolons. Their sole purpose is asexual reproduction.

Nodes along the runner touch the soil and sprout roots. Once rooted, a new, independent plant grows. This clone is genetically identical to its parent. It’s a fast and efficient survival strategy.

The Botanical Term: Stolons

You might here the term “stolon” used interchangably with “runner.” Technically, all runners are stolons. A stolon is any horizontal stem that roots at the nodes to form new plants. So when we talk about plant runners, we’re reffering to above-ground stolons.

How Runners Differ from Rhizomes and Offsets

It’s easy to confuse runners with other plant parts. Here’s a simple breakdown:

Runners (Stolons): Grow above ground. Think strawberries and spider plants.
Rhizomes: Grow below ground or just at the surface. Think iris or bamboo. They are thick, fleshy stems.
Offsets (Pups): Are small, complete plants that form at the base of the parent. Think hen-and-chicks succulents or a spider plant’s baby before it sends out a runner.

Why Plants Use Runner Propagation

This method gives plants a huge advantage. They can quickly cover ground and outcompete weeds. It’s a low-energy way to reproduce compared to making flowers and seeds. If a disaster damages the main plant, the clones already established can carry on.

Common Plants That Propagate with Runners

Many favorite garden plants use this technique. Recognizing them helps you plan your garden layout.

Strawberries: The classic example. Long, thin runners shoot out and form new strawberry daughter plants.
Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum): Produces long arching runners with little plantlets on the end, perfect for hanging baskets.
Mint (Mentha): Its aggressive runners (stolons) can make it invasive in gardens. It’s best grown in containers.
Bermuda Grass and Some Lawn Grasses: Spread rapidly to form a dense turf through surface runners.
Creeping Buttercup: A wildflower that spreads quickly in damp lawns via runners.
Plectranthus (Swedish Ivy): A popular houseplant that trails and roots at its nodes.

How to Propagate Plants Using Runners: A Step-by-Step Guide

Using runners is one of the easiest ways to get new plants for free. Here’s how to do it successfully.

Method 1: The Natural Rooting Method

This works for runners that already have roots starting.

Identify a healthy runner with a small plantlet (node) that has developed some roots.
Pin the node gently to the soil using a landscape pin or a bent paperclip. You can use a small pot of soil placed next to the mother plant.
Keep the soil lightly moist. In a few weeks, the node will establish a strong root system.
Once the new plant is growing well, snip the runner stem connecting it to the mother plant.
You can then dig up and transplant the new plant to its desired location.

Method 2: The Water Rooting Method

Great for spider plants and others before they root.

Let the plantlet develop on the runner until it has a small nub or visible root initials.
Place the plantlet in a small container of water, suporting it so just the base is submerged. You can leave it attached to the mother plant for nourishment.
Change the water every few days to keep it fresh.
Once roots are an inch or two long, pot the new plant in soil.
After a week in soil, you can cut the runner connection.

Managing and Controlling Runners in Your Garden

While useful, runners need management. Some plants can become invasive.

For Aggressive Spreaders (Mint, Bamboo, Some Grasses)

Container Gardening: The best solution. Grow them in pots above or sunk into the ground.
Root Barriers: Install deep plastic or metal edging around the plant’s area to block underground stolons.
Regular Edging: Use a spade to slice down around the plant’s perimeter each season to sever escaping runners.

For Desired Spread (Strawberries, Ground Covers)

Direct the Runners: Guide them into open areas where you want new plants. Pin them down as described earlier.
Thinning: Remove excess runners to direct the plant’s energy into fruit production or stronger main plants.
The Matted Row System: For strawberries, allow plants to fill a defined row with runners but keep pathways clear by removing any that grow too far.

Troubleshooting Common Runner Problems

Runners Not Producing Plantlets

If your spider plant or strawberry sends out long runners with no babies, it’s often due to stress or poor conditions. Ensure the plant has adequate light, water, and nutrients. Sometimes a plant that is pot-bound will focus on reproduction as a survival tactic.

New Plants from Runners Are Weak

This can happen if you seperate the new plant to early. Let it establish a robust root system while still attached to the mother. Also, ensure the soil or water is clean and has nutrients. A weak plant might also indicate the mother plant is struggling.

Containing Runaway Plants

If a plant has spread to much, you’ll need to dig and remove unwanted sections. Be thorough, as small pieces of stolon or runner left in the soil can regrow. Solarizing the soil with clear plastic can help kill remainng bits in an affected area.

FAQ About Plant Runners

Can all plants be propagated by runners?

No, only plants that naturally produce stolons or runners can be propagated this way. It’s a specific adaptation. You can’t force a plant that doesn’t have this mechansim to reproduce like this.

What’s the difference between a runner and a vine?

Vines climb using tendrils or twining stems to reach sunlight. Runners specifically grow along the ground to root and form new plants. While some vines can root at nodes (like ivy), their primary goal isn’t always creating independent clones.

Should I cut the runners off my strawberry plants?

It depends. If you want more plants, let them root. If you want the mother plant to put more energy into producing larger fruit, you should trim the runners off. For first-year strawberries, many gardeners remove all runners to strengthen the original plants.

How do I stop my mint from spreading with runners?

Always plant mint in a container. If planted in the ground, use a deep, solid root barrier. Regularly check around the planting area and pull up any escaping stems. It’s much easier to control from the start than to remove later.

Are runners and suckers the same thing?

No. Suckers are shoots that grow from the root system or the base of a tree or shrub (like on a rose or tomato plant). Runners are horizontal stems that grow from the crown of the plant above the roots.

Can I train a runner to grow a certain direction?

Absolutely. You can gently guide the runner and pin the node down in your desired spot. This is a great way to fill in bare patches with ground covers or control where your new strawberry plants form.

Understanding plant runners gives you a powerful tool for propagation and garden design. By knowing which plants use them and how to guide their growth, you can create a lush, full garden efficiently. Just remember to keep thoes vigorous spreaders in check, and you’ll enjoy the benefits of this fascinating reproductive strategy for many seasons.