Red Alpine Strawberry

Alpine Strawberries are self-fertile and therefore will produce fruit on their own. This means that you do not need to worry about cross-pollination in order to ensure fruit production on your strawberry plant.

Alpine strawberries thrive in full sun to partial shade, requiring at least 6 to 8 hours of sunlight per day for optimal growth and fruit production. Placing them in a location with ample sunlight exposure ensures vigorous growth, abundant flowering, and the development of flavorful berries. However, they can tolerate some shade, especially in hot climates, but reduced sunlight may lead to decreased fruit yield.

Alpine Strawberries can be very dramatic, but tend to recover quickly in regards to water. If your plant has gone from perky to wilted in the span of a day or less, it likely just needs a good watering . A good way to test if your plant needs water is to stick your finger 3 inches down into the soil. If you don't feel much moisture, it's time to water. If your finger comes out damp, best to give it some more time before watering. Picking up your pot to understand it’s weight when it is dry vs. wet is also a good way to understand when your plant may need water.

Soil health is one of the most important parts of growing potted fruit. For Alpine Strawberries, it's recommended to fertilize them about once a month during the growing season, which would be between early spring and late summer. When your plant stops regularly producing fruit toward the end of summer or early autumn, that is your cue to stop fertilizing for the year.

While Alpine Strawberries do not require a dormancy period, they often benefit from it, and are likely to produce a more robust crop the following year if allowed to go dormant in winter. If you leave your Alpine Strawberry outdoors during winter, the leaves will turn brown and crisp up, and it may look dead. This is normal, and new growth will shoot up next spring.

Harvest alpine strawberries when the fruits are fully ripe, which is indicated by their deep red color and sweet aroma. Gently pick the ripe berries by hand, being careful not to damage the delicate plants. Harvesting regularly encourages continuous fruit production throughout the growing season, allowing you to enjoy a steady supply of fresh, flavorful berries.

Pruning alpine strawberries is relatively minimal compared to other strawberry varieties. Remove any yellowing or dead leaves throughout the growing season to maintain plant health. When your plant goes into dormancy the leaves will turn brown and crisp up. Before the next growing season, be sure to cut away all of these dead leaves to make space for the new growth that will arrive.

Pests and disease often vary greatly by region. In terms of insects, neem oil can combat many problems. If you are unsure, send us a photo of your plant and the problem, and we'll do our best to identify it and suggest more specific solutions!