Strawberries are typically grown in full sun, but many gardeners wonder “can strawberries grow in shade?” After all, not everyone has access to a sunny garden, and occasionally, the only place to go is somewhere in a shady spot.
Today I will explore the possibilities of whether or not strawberries can grow in shade and what factors you should consider before planting them in a shady place.
Can Strawberries Grow in Shade?
Strawberries can grow well in the shade, but there are certain restrictions. Although strawberries are frequently considered a crop that needs full sun to thrive, they may still grow and produce fruit in shaded places. However, the fruit’s yield and quality may be impacted.
Strawberries love to grow in broad sunshine, though they may tolerate a little moderate shade. In contrast to strawberries planted in full light, strawberries cultivated in shade will mature much more slowly and yield fewer, smaller fruits. As a result, strawberries may grow properly and use sunlight to produce energy.
How Much Shade Can Strawberries Tolerate?
The two types of shades affect strawberry growth positively and negatively:
- Light shadow (positive effect)
- Heavy shadow (negative effect)
“Light shadow” refers to dappled sunlight that penetrates a thin covering of leaves or trees. Strawberries can benefit from this kind of shadow by staying cool and avoiding sunscald, a condition that develops when the fruit is exposed to strong sunlight for an extended time period.
It can also help to maintain soil moisture, which is important for the health of the plants. If you intend to plant strawberries in a location that receives some light shade, it is essential to choose a variety that thrives in your growing environment.
On the other hand, strawberries struggle in deep or Heavy shade. This type of shade can encourage the growth of illnesses like mildew in addition to keeping the plants from getting enough light to generate fruit. The plants may also become weak and spindly as a result, which could make them more susceptible to disease and pests.
Choosing the Best Strawberry Varieties to Grow in Shade
There are several things to consider while picking the best strawberry variety to grow in the shade.
- Cold tolerance
- Daylength responsiveness
- Yield of strawberry
- Flavor
Cold tolerance:
It’s crucial to pick a kind that can tolerate frost and cold temperatures if you reside in an area with a cooler climate. Earliglow, Allstar, and Fort Laramie are a few well-known types that do well in chilly climates. These types are perfect for growing in shadow in colder climates because they can withstand temperatures as low as -20°F.
Daylength responsiveness:
Some cultivars are day-neutral, which means they can bear fruit at any time of day. However, others are short-day cultivars, which require a specific number of hours of sunshine to flower and bear fruit.
It is recommended to select day-neutral strawberry cultivars like Seascape and Quinalt if you are growing them in shadow because they will bear fruit regardless of how much sunlight they receive.
Yield:
When selecting the best strawberry variety to grow in shade, it’s also crucial to take the plant’s yield into account. Some types, like Albion, are renowned for producing big yields, which makes them perfect for commercial producers or large gardens. Others, like Chandler, have a smaller yield but produce big, luscious berries.
Flavor:
Douglas, San Andreas, and Miraculous are a few types that are well-known for their sweet, juicy flavor. If you’re seeking a sweet, juicy, and tasty fruit that will thrive in shade, these kinds are a perfect option.
List of 25 types of Strawberries that can grow in Shade
Here is a list of 25 strawberries that can grow in shade:
- Alpine Strawberries
- White Caroline
- Alexandria
- Tribute
- Seascape
- Tristar
- Quinault
- Eva
- Mignonette
- Honeoye
- Jewel
- Finesse
- Red Gauntlet
- San Andreas
- Flair
- Elan
- Symphony
- Mara des Bois
- Elegance
- Odyssey
- Galantic
- Senga Sengana
- Aromel
- Pandora
- Darselect
Growing and Caring for Strawberries in Shade
You need to follow the following steps to grow and care for strawberries in shade:
- Proper Location
- Soil Preparation
- Create a raised bed
- Mulch
- Watering
- Fertilize
- Prune regularly
- Protection from diseases
Proper location:
The ideal location receives 4 to 6 hours a day of dappled or indirect light in your garden. There shouldn’t be any sharp hotspots or patches of direct sunshine, and the shade should be uniform.
Soil preparation:
Strawberry plants thrive in soil that drains effectively and has a pH range of 5.3 to 6.5. Consider enriching your soil with compost or other plant waste to help it drain better if it is heavy or compacted.
Create a raised bed:
If you don’t have a good location for growing strawberries in the shade, think about building a raised bed. By doing so, you may manage the soil’s characteristics and guarantee that the plants have adequate drainage.
Mulch:
Adding a layer of mulch around your strawberries will aid in maintaining a steady temperature, suppressing weed growth, and keeping the soil moist.
Watering:
It’s critical to maintain steady, wet but not soggy soil. Dryer circumstances may result in the plants growing more slowly, while an abundance of water may induce root rot.
Fertilize:
In order to develop and bear fruit, strawberries need nutrition. To ensure that your plants thrive, use a balanced fertilizer, such as a 10-10-10 or 5-10-5 combination.
Prune regularly:
Regular trimming helps to maintain the health and productivity of the plants. Cut back any runners that are stealing energy from the main plant and remove any yellow or broken leaves.
Protection from diseases:
Slugs and snails are frequent pests that can harm strawberries, so keep them free of them. To keep these pests away from the plants, surround them with copper strips or slug bait.
Watch my video on Growing Strawberries in Shade
Do Strawberries Need Full Sun?
Because strawberries are considered sun-loving plants, they need a lot of sunshine to develop and bear fruit. Strawberries should be exposed to direct sunshine for at least 6 hours each day. 8 to 10 hours of sunlight per day are considered ideal.
But it is essential to remember that too much sun can be harmful to strawberries as well. High temperatures can cause sunscald or heat stress, which can degrade the quality of the fruit and lower yields, especially when combined with a lack of moisture.
Although they require a lot of sunlight, strawberries may also withstand some darkness. This means that as long as they receive enough light overall, they can develop and produce fruit in places that only receive a few hours of direct sunlight every day.
In contrast to plants growing in full sun, the production and quality of the fruit may be lower in places with restricted sunshine.
Final thoughts on Can Strawberries Grow in Shade?
It is possible to grow strawberries in shadow, but it takes a little more work and care. But one thing important you need to keep in mind is the kind of strawberry you are going to plant. If you want to know anything else ask me in the comments. Hope you liked this article. Thank you!
As with any plant, it’s important to understand its needs and growing conditions to ensure it thrives. read my other posts to learn more:
