Growing Strawberries in Pots on a Balcony: Types, Pots, Towers
Strawberries in pots on a balcony: which types fruit all season, pot size and spacing, strawberry jars and towers, sun, watering, feeding and winter.
We earn from qualifying purchases through links on this page. How we make money.
Strawberries grow well in pots on a sunny balcony. Choose day-neutral or everbearing plants, which fruit through the season, and give them a container at least 12 inches across and 8 inches deep, at least six hours of sun and water whenever the surface dries. Iowa State Extension suggests treating potted plants as annuals.
This guide is part of what to grow on a balcony.
Which strawberries grow best in pots?
Strawberry type matters more in a pot than in a bed. Iowa State University Extension says day-neutral strawberries are often the best suited to containers, because they bloom and fruit most of the growing season. Everbearing types also do well. June-bearing types are not recommended for containers.
| Type | Iowa State’s view for containers | Varieties it names |
|---|---|---|
| Day-neutral | Often the best suited; blooms and fruits most of the season | Albion, Cabrillo, Everest, Seascape |
| Everbearing | Also suited to containers | Ozark Beauty |
| Ornamental | Also listed for containers | Summerbreeze, Toscana, Ruby Ann |
| June-bearing | Not recommended | None |
Pot size and spacing for strawberries
Strawberry pots need width more than depth. Iowa State recommends a large container with plenty of surface area, at least 12 inches in diameter and 8 inches deep. A 12-inch container holds 3 or 4 plants set about 8 inches apart.
Fill it with an all-purpose potting mix, not garden soil. If the mix has no starter fertilizer, Iowa State suggests adding an all-purpose fertilizer at the rate its label gives. Our guide to potting mix for containers explains what to look for on the bag.
Every pot needs drainage holes, and on a balcony a saucer underneath. University of Maryland Extension says a saucer helps when you garden above a neighbor’s balcony. Wet mix adds weight quickly, so check how much weight a balcony can hold before you line up several wide pots.
Wide, light planters for strawberries
Live listings, shown by eBay
Opens eBay in a new tab. Check condition, seller feedback and returns.
Strawberry jars, towers and hanging baskets
Strawberry jars fit more plants into a small floor space, but they have a catch. Iowa State says the side pockets of a strawberry jar add planting space, and that the plants near the top dry out faster than those lower down, so water from the top and into the side pockets as well.
Stacking towers are a similar idea, and our vertical planters guide compares towers and tiered stands by pocket depth and how they are watered.
Hanging baskets are the hardest option. Iowa State warns that baskets dry out quickly and get very warm, which can make the fruit smaller, especially on day-neutral plants.
Sun and wind for balcony strawberries
Strawberries need full sun to fruit well, which Iowa State defines as at least six hours of direct sun. On many balconies the floor near the railing gets the most sun, while the back wall sits in the shade of the balcony above. Count the hours before you buy plants; what to grow on a balcony explains how.
The Royal Horticultural Society says balconies are vulnerable to strong winds and suggests containers with a low center of gravity. Illinois Extension advises anchoring top-heavy plants on exposed balconies.
Strawberry towers and tiered planters
Live listings, shown by eBay
Opens eBay in a new tab. Check condition, seller feedback and returns.
Watering and feeding strawberries in pots
Strawberries in pots need water whenever the surface of the mix is dry. Iowa State says that in summer heat this can mean watering twice a day. Water slowly so the saucer catches the runoff, and see watering a balcony garden for help while you are away.
Feed two or three times a season. Iowa State suggests a water-soluble fertilizer after each flush of fruit, used at the rate its label gives.
Strawberry plants at the end of the season
Strawberries in containers are hard to carry through a winter. Iowa State does not recommend overwintering them; it suggests treating them as annuals, composting the plants in fall and starting again with fresh plants in spring. A small bin on the balcony can take the old plants: see composting on a balcony.
For perennials you do want to keep from year to year, read overwintering container plants. For other crops that suit a pot, see vegetables in containers.
Frequently asked questions
What kind of strawberry grows best in a pot?
Iowa State University Extension says day-neutral strawberries are often the best suited to containers, because they bloom and fruit most of the growing season. Everbearing types also work. It does not recommend June-bearing types for containers.
How many strawberry plants fit in one pot?
Iowa State Extension says a container at least 12 inches across holds 3 or 4 plants, spaced about 8 inches apart, and that the container should be at least 8 inches deep.
Can potted strawberries stay outside over winter?
Iowa State Extension does not recommend overwintering strawberries grown in containers. It suggests treating them as annuals and composting the plants at the end of the season.
How often should I water strawberries in pots?
Whenever the surface of the mix is dry. Iowa State Extension says that in summer heat this can mean watering twice a day, and that the upper plants in a strawberry jar dry out fastest.
Sources
- How to Grow Strawberries in ContainersIowa State University Extension and Outreach
- Growing Vegetables in Containers and Salad TablesUniversity of Maryland Extension
- Container SizeIllinois Extension
- Greening balconies and roof gardensRoyal Horticultural Society
Filed under What to Grow on a Balcony: Plants by Sun, Shade and Wind.
