How long does it take to grow strawberries indoors? Harvest Indoor Strawberries

Are you curious about “how long does it take to grow strawberries indoors“? Don’t worry—in this article, Ian Weiland will guide you through the necessary steps, from seed to plant, to harvest indoor strawberries.

So, let’s get started and learn everything we need to know about indoor strawberry cultivation!

Best Strawberry Varieties for Indoor Growing

Strawberries are one of the most popular fruits in the world, but did you know “how long it takes to grow strawberries indoors?”. If you’re looking to learn some strawberry facts while growing your own delicious and nutritious produce, then here’s what you should know.

Before figuring out the question of “how long does it take to grow strawberries indoors”, you should select the right variety of indoors.

Here’s a look at some of the top strawberry varieties for indoor growing and how long it takes to grow them in this environment.

Everbearing Strawberries

Everbearing strawberry plants are easy to care for indoors; just water them regularly and give them a trim for best results.

Look for Tristar and Tribute varieties to enjoy fresh spring and late summer harvests!

Best of all, everbearing varieties don’t need exposed soil like June-bearing types do, so they’re well suited for container gardening indoors where space may be limited.

June-bearing Strawberries

June-bearing strawberries are ideal if you want to take advantage of the season and enjoy plump, juicy fruits. They produce plenty of succulent strawberries just two months after planting – during May or early June.

Strawberries come in many varieties, with Cabot, Jewel, and Earliglow being the most popular. These plants are highly productive and produce berries early in the summer.

For outdoor growth, these varieties need plenty of sunshine. For best results, provide them with up to 6 hours of light daily through windowsills or lamps.

Day-neutral Strawberries

Day-neutral plants produce fruit much faster than June-bearers, ripening within 10 weeks of planting. Day-neutrals also keep producing from late June to November in their first year. Each variety has slight variations in how they produce, but they generally have a steady output throughout these months.

They may be smaller than other types, but they’re packed with intense sweetness and excellent flavor, making them perfect for both culinary and baking purposes.

This trio of varieties—Albion, Seascape, and Evie—shine in hanging baskets and containers.

Alpine Strawberries

Alpine strawberries are easy to grow and produce sweet, bright red berries with a strong aroma. They have a long life span and can be harvested from spring until fall, making them an ideal option for effortless indoor strawberry growing. Enjoy multiple harvests with these deliciously sweet little treats!

Alpine strawberries, such as Yellow Wonder and Mignonette, thrive in shadier spots, making them a great option for darker spaces.

How long does it take to grow strawberries indoors?

It typically takes around 6 months (approximately 5–6 months) for strawberries to grow indoors.

The time it takes to grow strawberries indoors may also vary due to factors such as temperature, light intensity, and irrigation.

Additionally, plants that are grown from seeds may take longer to mature than those grown from runners or transplants. It is important to research the variety of strawberries you are growing and their required conditions in order to ensure a successful harvest.

How many light hours do strawberries require indoors?

Strawberries are a high-light crop, meaning that they require at least 8 hours of direct, bright light per day when grown indoors. If possible, try to provide even more light than this for optimal growth and fruit production.

Strawberries require at least eight hours of full sun each day of the growing season to produce at their maximum capability.

Source: digitalcommons.usu.edu

Additionally, consider supplementing natural sunlight with artificial lightings, such as LED lights in low light. Use full-spectrum LED grow lights, following the manufacturer’s instructions, and set a timer or switch them off to give them rest at night—12–14 hours. This will help to ensure that your strawberries receive the light they need to thrive.

Conditions for Indoor Strawberry Growth

If you’re wondering, “How long does it take to grow strawberries indoors?” the answer might surprise you!

With the ideal environment and growing conditions, you could be picking juicy, ripe berries in less than 5 to 6 months! All you need is the right setup and some patience, and then you’ll have delicious strawberry goodness at your fingertips!

Selecting the Right Location

The first step for indoor strawberry production is selecting a suitable location for your plants.

Look for an area that gets 6–8 hours of direct sunlight daily or consider investing in grow lights if natural light proves insufficient. With enough illumination, your plants will be sure to thrive!

If you’re wondering how to grow strawberries in hanging baskets, then this becomes even more important, as light is often a deciding factor in fruiting success. Find what works best for your growing environment and do some research on how to accommodate the necessary light requirements for healthy, flavorful fruits!

Soil

Once you’ve chosen an appropriate spot with adequate light, create an environment conducive to healthy strawberry growth.

Choose a sunny spot to plant your strawberry bed, and pick soil with a pH between 5.3 and 6.5 that’s rich in nutrients. For good drainage, go for potting soil made specifically for fruits and veggies, or add some compost, sand, or peat moss to the mix.

Watering

The roots of strawberry plants may easily succumb to rotting when exposed to too much moisture, so it is important to keep the soil moist but not overly wet. Otherwise, fungi or bacteria living in wet conditions will cause root rot.

Water when the topsoil is dry (1 inch) and avoid over-watering. Morning is best for watering, as wet soil can lead to root rot from fungus/bacteria.

How are strawberry seeds planted indoors?

Obtaining Strawberry Seeds:
1. Choose a ripe, but not overly squishy, strawberry, and use a toothpick to flick the seeds onto a plate.
2. Collect around 20–30 seeds for planting.

Planting the Strawberry Seeds:
1. Fill a cup with soil suitable for growing strawberries.
2. Dip a toothpick in water, attach several seeds, and flick them into the soil-filled cup.
3. Add a hydrogen peroxide solution to help the process of germination and keep the soil moist but not wet while they take root.
4. Place the jar in sunlight and wait until the seeds sprout, then transplant them into separate pots if enough grow as desired.

 Helping The Seeds To Grow:  
1. Water the soil gently once or twice a week to keep it moist without drowning the plants with too much water.
2.  Use hydrogen peroxide solution every other day to aid germination until fruits form on mature plants; then only once a week is necessary to maintain the growth of healthy strawberries!

 

Growing strawberries from garden center baby plants

1. Purchase a bare-root strawberry plant or one in a nursery container with soil.
2.  Prepare your pot and shape it like a cone, then trim any dead or mushy roots on the strawberry and shape it similarly to your pot.
3.  Test that the highest roots are just below the rim of the pot, adjusting your soil as necessary.
4. Fill the pot up to the highest roots, lightly tamping down the soil as you go.
5. For plants in nursery containers with soil, gently pull them out and check for roots before transferring into a slightly larger (2–3 inch) pot lined with more new soil, up to the top of the old nursery container.
6. Give your plant a good deep watering when finished and resist transplanting unless absolutely necessary due to crowded root systems that may be starting to circle around inside their pots.

How far should strawberry plants be spaced apart?

Space your strawberry plants 12 inches apart and keep separate rows 2 feet apart. This ensures optimal growth depending on the environment and type of strawberry being grown.

How to Take Care of Indoor Strawberry Plants?

Fertilizing and Watering Requirements for Indoor Strawberry

When growing indoors, fertilizers may be needed more regularly for optimal performance.

Fertilize indoor plants every two weeks with a balanced liquid fertilizer to ensure optimal health. For best results, look for formulas that contain calcium and magnesium, such as 20-20-20 or Dyna Grow Foliage Pro 9-3-6.

To ensure healthy growth, avoid overwatering and maintain moist soil conditions. For acidity regulation and flowering, consider giving your strawberries tomato or rose fertilizer once the flowering starts.

Pruning

Pruning is also important when growing an indoor strawberry plant. Regular pruning ensures that the plant has enough energy to focus on producing fruit instead of foliage. Prune away any weak leaves or excess stems at least once per season to encourage healthier growth altogether.

Pollination Methods Used

When it comes to indoor strawberry growing, selecting the right location with sufficient natural light is key – but can strawberries grow in shade? Of course! To ensure a plentiful harvest, manual pollination can be used as an effective way of getting larger and higher-quality yields from indoor strawberry plants.

For successful hand pollination, use a soft paintbrush or even your finger to move pollen from flower to flower. Manual pollination is much more effective than relying on natural indoor pollinators like bees.

Pests and Diseases

Pests, such as aphids and mites, can damage indoor fruits by feeding off the sap from plants’ leaves, hindering nutrient uptake and growth. To prevent infestations, properly prune plants and fertilize them regularly to keep them healthy.

Avoid overcrowding containers or pots and watch out for fungal diseases caused by higher humidity levels. If a fungus arises, use natural or store-bought fungicide sprays to treat the affected areas immediately.

Harvest Indoor Strawberries

Besides the question of “how long does it take to grow strawberries indoors?”  harvesting indoors is also an important process.

Gently pluck the ripe strawberries off of the stem. It is best to use a pair of scissors or gardening shears when harvesting, as this will reduce damage to the plant and minimize bruising to the fruit.

Be sure to remove any rotten berries you find on your plants as soon as possible. These can quickly spread disease throughout your entire crop if left unchecked.

Harvesting your indoor strawberries will also help to ensure that the plants remain healthy and productive. Once you have picked all the ripe fruit from a plant, thin out any remaining immature berries so that the plant can focus its energy on producing larger and more flavorful ones next time.

FAQs: How long does it take to grow strawberries indoors? Harvest Indoor Strawberries

How to plant strawberries indoors year-round?

Fill your containers with potting mix and use your finger or trowel to make an indentation. Place the plant so the roots are pointing down, then carefully tuck dirt around it. Planting indoor fruit can be done at any time of year!

Which is a method to grow strawberries in the apartment?

One way to grow strawberries in an apartment is to use a vertical strawberry planter. The compact size of the planter allows you to easily fit it into small spaces, such as a balcony or windowsill.

When should strawberries be planted indoors?

Indoor berry-growing is possible all year round! And, since there are no bees to help with the pollination process, you may have to do it manually.

How to Grow Strawberries From Seeds Indoors?

Sow strawberry seeds thinly, pressing them into a moist potting medium in seed starter trays. Cover lightly with growing mix, then place under grow lights. Germination takes 7 to 6 weeks; be patient!

Conclusion

Finally, you got the answer to your question, “How long does it take to grow strawberries indoors?”

It can take anywhere from 4 to 6 months to grow strawberries indoors, depending on the type of strawberry and the environment in which you live. Theanacostiawaterfront.com hope this article has been informative on how long it takes to grow strawberries indoors so that you can get started growing your own delicious harvest.