Strawberries are a fantastic addition to any garden, whether you’re growing them in a small apartment or a spacious suburban garden—I’ve done both! One of the most common questions I get is what to do with strawberry runners, as these offshoots can quickly take over your patch if not managed properly. Whether you’re looking to expand your garden or simply keep your strawberry plants healthy, knowing what to do with strawberry runners and how to handle transplanting strawberry runners is key to ensuring your strawberry plants thrive year after year.
Also, if you are looking for a full guide on how to grow strawberries, check out this article.
What are Strawberry Runners?
If you’ve ever seen those long, spindly stems popping up from your strawberry plants, those are runners. Basically, the plant’s trying to spread and grow more strawberries. If you take a closer look, you’ll spot little roots forming under the new leaves on the runner. That’s the plant trying to grow a new one!
Runners usually show up twice during the season. My Dad always told me to snip off the first batch as soon as you see them—otherwise, the plant will put all its energy into making runners instead of fruit, and you definitely want the strawberries, not more plants! But the second round of runners, which tends to happen after most of the fruiting is done, are the good ones. These are the ones you want to leave on the plant until you see roots popping up. Then, you can transplant them and get yourself some free strawberry plants for next season!
1. Identify Strawberry Runners Early
The first step to managing strawberry runners is identifying them early. Strawberry runners are long, thin stems that shoot out from the main plant and send down baby plants, also known as “daughter plants,” at the tips. These runners allow strawberries to spread naturally, creating new plants that can take root and grow elsewhere in your garden. It’s important to recognize them as they begin to form, as this will help you decide whether to allow them to grow freely or focus your efforts elsewhere.
By spotting them early, you also prevent your strawberry patch from becoming overcrowded. If runners are left unchecked, they can sap the energy of your main plants, leading to smaller, less flavorful fruit. Properly managing these runners will help your plants remain healthy and productive for the long term. Understanding what to do with strawberry runners early on is key to maintaining a thriving patch.
2. Decide Whether to Keep or Remove Strawberry Runners
The decision to keep or remove strawberry runners depends on your gardening goals. If you’re aiming for bigger and juicier strawberries, it’s often best to remove the runners. This allows the parent plant to focus its energy on producing fruit rather than spreading more plants. Pruning runners early also helps the plant maintain a compact form, which makes for easier harvesting.
However, if you’re looking to expand your strawberry patch or share plants with others, keeping a few runners is the way to go. Strawberry runners are an easy and cost-effective way to propagate new plants, allowing you to grow more strawberries without having to buy new ones. Plus, it’s a great way to share your love of gardening with friends—imagine potting up runners as gifts for family members or neighbors!
Strawberry plants don’t need to be replaced every year, but they do have a lifespan that typically lasts about 3-4 years for the best fruit production. After this period, their productivity tends to decrease, and it may be time to replace or renew them by utilising some of your runners to swap with older plants.
As a gardener, it’s important to decide early on what to do with strawberry runners so you can tailor your care accordingly. Knowing your goal for the patch will help guide your decision.
3. Choose the Best Strawberry Runners for Transplanting
Not all strawberry runners are created equal. While you may want to keep as many runners as possible, it’s important to be selective. When choosing runners for transplanting strawberry runners, focus on the healthiest, most robust ones. The best runners are those with well-developed roots and vibrant green leaves. Weak, spindly runners will struggle to take root, making them less likely to thrive once transplanted.
Inspect each runner closely before deciding to keep it. Look for runners that have already begun to establish their roots in the soil. These are the ones most likely to take off in their new home. If you have limited space or resources, it’s better to remove weaker runners and focus on nurturing the strongest ones for transplanting.
Choosing the right runners is one of the most important steps in successfully expanding your strawberry patch. By focusing on quality, you’ll ensure a healthier, more productive garden in the future.
4. Encourage Root Growth Before Transplanting Strawberry Runners
Before you cut the runner from the parent plant, it’s crucial to encourage root growth. This step will help ensure the baby plant is strong enough to survive the transplant. The best way to do this is by pinning the runner down into the soil near the parent plant, using a small rock or garden staple to hold it in place. This allows the runner to establish its own root system before being separated.
Wait a few weeks before cutting the runner from the parent plant. During this time, the new plant will send out roots into the soil, which will anchor it once it’s transplanted. By the time you’re ready to transplant strawberry runners, the baby plants should have a solid root system, giving them the best chance for success.
Encouraging root growth before transplanting is one of the simplest ways to help your strawberry runners thrive in their new location. Take your time with this step—it will pay off in the long run.
5. Transplant Strawberry Runners at the Right Time
The timing of your transplant is crucial. The ideal time to transplant strawberry runners is late summer or early autumn. This gives the young plants plenty of time to establish strong roots before the cooler weather sets in. Transplanting during this period also means the plants are less likely to suffer from heat stress or drought, which can stunt their growth.
If you miss the autumn window, don’t worry! You can also transplant in early spring, just before the growing season begins. This gives the plants a jump-start on the new season’s growth. However, keep in mind that transplanting in early spring requires careful attention to watering and protection from late frosts.
Choosing the right time for transplanting strawberry runners is essential to helping the new plants settle in and thrive. Plan ahead, and try to transplant during the optimal window.
6. Follow Proper Transplanting Techniques
Once your strawberry runners have established strong roots, it’s time to move them to their new location. When transplanting, it’s important to handle the baby plants carefully to avoid damaging the roots. Dig around the base of the plant to lift it out of the soil, making sure to keep the roots intact.
Next, plant the new strawberry plant in a sunny location with well-draining soil and good compost. Make sure that the crown (where the roots meet the leaves) is level with the soil surface. Planting too deep or too shallow can cause problems later on, so make sure the plant is positioned correctly.
Water the newly transplanted plants generously and keep the soil moist as they settle in. Providing proper care after transplanting is essential for getting your runners off to a healthy start.
7. Care for Newly Transplanted Strawberry Runners
After transplanting strawberry runners, it’s important to give them a little extra care to help them thrive. Mulch around the base of the plant to help retain moisture and keep the soil temperature stable. This is especially important in the first few weeks, as the plant is establishing itself in its new location.
In the first growing season, it’s also a good idea to remove any flowers or fruit that may develop. While it might seem counterintuitive, removing the flowers allows the plant to focus its energy on building strong roots rather than fruit production. You’ll be rewarded with more fruit in the following season when the plant is stronger and better established.
With a little extra TLC, your newly transplanted strawberry runners will reward you with a bountiful harvest in the seasons to come.
8. Use Pulled Runners as Mulch or Compost
If you’ve decided to pull out strawberry runners, don’t throw them away! These runners can be put to good use in your garden. One option is to use them as mulch in your vegetable garden. Lay them down around your plants to help suppress weeds and retain moisture. As they break down over time, they will decompose and add valuable organic matter to the soil. This will help nourish your vegetable plants, providing them with nutrients as the runners break down.
Alternatively, you can add the runners to your compost pile. As they break down, they will contribute to the compost’s richness, providing nutrients that will eventually feed your plants. Strawberry runners are a great resource for any garden, ensuring that nothing goes to waste.
9. Give Strawberry Gifts!
If you have plenty of strawberry runners, why not share the goodness from your garden? Pot them up in strawberry grow bags and give them away as gifts, or even offer them to friends and family. It’s a lovely way to spread the joy of homegrown strawberries, and they’ll surely appreciate the gesture (and the delicious fruit to come). Gardening is a community activity, and sharing your strawberry runners is an easy way to inspire others to get growing too.
FAQs About What to do with Strawberry Runners
1. What to do with strawberry runners in pots?
If you’re growing strawberries in pots, you can treat the runners in a similar way to those in the ground. You can either leave them attached to the main plant to encourage new plants or cut them off and pot them up separately.
If you’re leaving them attached, ensure the runner is resting on the soil so the roots can develop. If you’re potting them, make sure to use a small container with good drainage, and let the runner establish roots before cutting it from the parent plant. This gives you a bunch of new strawberry plants without any extra cost!
2. What to do with strawberry plants after fruiting?
After your strawberry plants have finished fruiting, it’s time to give them a bit of TLC. First, remove any dead or yellowing leaves, and trim back any long stems. If you notice runners forming, you can either remove them or allow them to root and create new plants. It’s also a great time to fertilize your plants with compost or a balanced fertilizer to prepare them for the next growing season. If you’re in a colder climate, you can mulch around the base to protect the plants through winter.
3. When do strawberry runners produce fruit?
Strawberry runners themselves don’t produce fruit right away. They are essentially baby plants that will need time to establish themselves before they start fruiting. Typically, the new plants grown from runners will produce fruit the following year, though some may fruit in their first season, especially if they’re transplanted early enough. But, patience is key—give those new plants time to get settled before you start seeing strawberries!
4. Do strawberry plants need to be replanted every season?
No, strawberry plants don’t need to be replanted every season. In fact, most strawberry plants last about 3-4 years before their productivity starts to decline. Instead of replanting every season, you can renew your patch by using runners to grow new plants. If you notice that your plants are getting overcrowded or aren’t producing as much, you can remove older plants and replace them with fresh ones grown from the runners.
5. How do I remove and plant out strawberry runners?
To remove and plant out strawberry runners, first, let them develop roots. Pin the runner down to the soil (using a small rock or garden staple) until the roots start growing. Once the new plant has a strong root system, cut the runner from the main plant and carefully dig up the young plant. Then, transplant it into a sunny spot with well-draining soil. Make sure to water it well and keep it moist while the plant establishes itself in its new home.
6. Can strawberry plants produce fruit and runners at the same time?
Yes, strawberry plants can produce both fruit and runners at the same time, though it’s more common towards the end of the fruiting season. As the plant finishes producing fruit, it shifts focus to sending out runners to propagate itself. While this is happening, you might notice a dip in fruit production since the plant is putting energy into the runners. However, many strawberry varieties are capable of balancing both, so you might still get a few berries while new plants are forming!
7. When is the best time to transplant strawberry runners?
The best time to transplant strawberry runners is late summer or early autumn. This timing allows the new plants to establish strong roots before winter sets in. However, if you miss this window, early spring is also a great time to transplant them before the growing season kicks off. Just make sure the weather is mild and the plants have enough time to settle in before the heat of summer arrives. Transplanting at these times gives your new strawberry plants the best chance to thrive and produce fruit the following season.
Final Thoughts on what to do with Strawberry Runners
Knowing what to do with strawberry runners is essential for keeping your plants healthy and productive. Whether you’re cutting them back for bigger fruit, transplanting strawberry runners to expand your patch, or gifting them to friends, taking care of your runners will help you enjoy a fruitful harvest for seasons to come. With a little patience and attention to detail, your strawberry patch can thrive and provide you with delicious berries year after year.
