Inside: Are strawberry plant perennials? Yes—most are! Learn how to grow and care for perennial strawberry plants for sweet harvests year after year.

Strawberries are one of the most rewarding fruits to grow, producing sweet, juicy berries perfect for fresh eating, baking, and preserving. But many gardeners wonder: Are strawberry plants perennials? The short answer is yes! Most strawberry plants are perennial plants, meaning they can come back year after year—if cared for properly.

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Are Strawberry Plants Perennials? How to Get Them Back

However, strawberries are also considered short-lived perennials, as their fruit production declines after a few years. Knowing how to maintain a strawberry patch and encourage new plants to grow can extend your harvest season and maximize your efforts.

In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about strawberry plants perennials, how to care for them through different seasons, and the best way to encourage next year’s crop.

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Are Strawberry Plants Perennials?

Yes, strawberry plants are perennial plants, meaning they can survive for multiple years in the right conditions. Unlike an annual vegetable that dies after one season, strawberries continue producing new daughter plants each year.

However, different types of strawberries have different growth habits:

June-bearing strawberries – Produce a large crop in early spring and late summer, then send out daughter plants to form new strawberry plants.
Everbearing strawberries – Produce multiple smaller crops from spring to fall, but don’t spread as much.
Day-neutral strawberries – Produce fruit continuously throughout the growing season but need to be replanted every few years.

Understanding your strawberry variety helps determine how to care for it properly.

Caring for Strawberry Plants Year After Year

To keep strawberry plants perennials, you need to protect them from cold temperatures, maintain healthy soil, and encourage new plants to develop. Here’s a breakdown of seasonal care:

Spring: Reviving Your Strawberry Plants

In early spring, as the snow melts and temperatures begin to warm, your strawberry bed will show signs of life. Here’s how to encourage strong fruit production:

Remove Mulch & Debris – If you covered your plants with pine needles or straw for winter protection, remove it gradually as temperatures rise.
Trim Old Leaves – Cut away dead leaves and any weak or damaged growth to encourage new plants to thrive.
Check the Soil Level – Strawberry crowns should be slightly above the soil level to prevent rot.
Fertilize for Growth – Apply an organic fertilizer to boost leaf and flower production.

If a late frost is expected, cover plants with frost protection like row covers or straw to keep them safe.

Summer: Maximizing Fruit Production

By late spring and early summer, your strawberries should be producing fruit. To keep them thriving:

Water Regularly – Strawberries need about an inch of water per week.
Monitor for Pests & Diseases – Watch for fungal diseases like powdery mildew, which can spread in humid conditions.
Thin Out Plants – If your strawberry patch is overcrowded, remove excess daughter plants to allow more airflow.Late Summer: Preparing for the Next Crop

After harvesting, it’s time to prepare for the next crop. This is when strawberries send out runners that develop into new plants.

Allow Runners to Root – Let daughter plants establish themselves in planting holes around the strawberry bed.
Trim Excess Runners – Too many runners can weaken fruit production in the main plant. Trim any unwanted ones.
Apply Fresh Mulch – A layer of pine needles or straw helps retain moisture and suppress weeds.

Fall & Winter: Protecting Your Strawberry Plants

As cold temperatures arrive, strawberry plants slow down, but they aren’t dead! Proper winter care ensures they come back strong next year.

Cut Back Old Growth – Trim away dead or diseased foliage.
Apply Mulch for Frost Protection – Cover plants with pine needles, straw, or compost to insulate them.
Avoid Overwatering – Wet, cold soil can cause root rot.

For areas with extreme winters, consider using frost protection like floating row covers.

Reviving Overwintered Strawberry Plants

After winter, your strawberry plants perennials will start growing again when temperatures rise. Here’s how to help them bounce back:

Remove Mulch Gradually – As the weather warms, pull back some mulch to let sunlight reach the plants.
Trim Damaged Leaves – Cut away any dead or diseased leaves.
Check for New Growth – If you see new plants forming from runners, space them out to prevent overcrowding.
Fertilize for Growth – A light application of compost or organic fertilizer boosts spring growth.

By following these steps, your strawberries will be ready for another year of strong fruit production.

Common Strawberry Growing Problems & Solutions

Even though strawberry plants perennials return each year, they can face some challenges:

Poor Fruit Production

Cause: Overcrowding, lack of nutrients, or removing too many daughter plants.
Solution: Thin out old plants, fertilize properly, and allow healthy runners to establish.

Fungal Diseases Like Powdery Mildew

Cause: Excess moisture and poor airflow.
Solution: Space out plants, remove infected leaves, and use organic fungicides.

Cold Damage in Winter

Cause: Exposure to harsh cold temperatures without frost protection.
Solution: Use pine needles or straw mulch to insulate plants.

Should You Replace Old Strawberry Plants?

While strawberry plants perennials can live for several years, they eventually decline in fruit production. After about 3–5 years, older plants should be replaced with new plants from runners.

To keep your strawberry patch thriving:

Every 3 years, remove the mother plant and allow daughter plants to take over.
Rotate where you plant strawberries to reduce the risk of fungal diseases.
Choose day-neutral varieties for longer harvest seasons.

By following these steps, you can enjoy fresh strawberries in your home garden for many years!

Yes! Strawberry plants perennials return each year with proper care. Whether you're growing day-neutral strawberries, everbearing, or June-bearing varieties, knowing how to protect them from cold temperatures, encourage new plants, and manage their growth habit ensures a productive and long-lasting strawberry bed.

With a little hard work, your home garden can produce delicious strawberries season after season. So don’t give up after the first year—take care of your plants, and they’ll reward you with a next crop of juicy, homegrown berries!

Frequently Asked Questions About Strawberries as Perennials

Are strawberry plants perennial in Canada? Strawberries as usually grown as a perennial in your garden but they work well as an annual too.

How do I get my strawberries back next year? It is always good to take runners off the plant at the end of summer, this will give you a fruiting continuity, and you will get a more abundant crop next season if you plant out the runners.

Do strawberries like sun or shade? Strawberries require sun to produce fruit. Ten or more hours of sunlight each day is ideal, but they need at least six hours of direct sunlight each day.