Wild strawberries cannot be stored and are therefore rarely found in stores. One more reason to plant the delicious red fruits on the balcony. You can find out about the best varieties here.
Which wild strawberries are suitable for the balcony?
Successful cultivation of wild strawberries on the balcony is possible with varieties such as Forest Fairy, Black Hubertus, Steves Plodgey, Rosa Perle, Golden Alexandria and Forest Queen. These thrive in hanging baskets, flower boxes or plant bags as long as the location is partially shaded to sunny and the substrate is nutritious.
Class wild strawberries for vertical cultivation
Small wild strawberries thrive even in hanging baskets and in flower boxes, which the vast majority of mighty cultivated strawberries are not suitable for. The following varieties transform the balcony and terrace into a strawberry paradise all summer long:
- Forest fairy: countless sugary fruits, comparatively large and dark red
- Black Hubertus: red, shiny fruits of wonderful ornamental value
- Steves Plodgey: very decorative with variegated leaves and bright red wild strawberries
- Pink Pearl: aromatic pink-red fruits, ideal for preserving
- Golden Alexandria: a majestic variety with golden yellow foliage and unusually large strawberries
- Forest Queen: paradisiacal with white flowers and red fruits
The Annelie variety, an ingenious cross between wild strawberry and garden strawberry, is suitable for large pots and balcony boxes. It combines the advantages of both plants in the form of medium-sized fruits and an ever-bearing habit. Annelie is so stable that it has a lifespan of up to 8 years.
Care tips for wild strawberries on the balcony
So that your sweet garden on the balcony with wild strawberries is a complete success, we have put together some useful tips for care:
- keep the plants evenly moist, although the substrate should dry out
- mulch with straw or expanded clay from the beginning of flowering to keep the fruits clean and he althy
- fertilize organically before flowering and after harvest
- The first flowers should be removed by the end of May in order to increase fruit volume and harvest yield
- only harvest wild strawberries that are completely colored
After harvesting, cut the plants back to the heart bud. In the planter, wild strawberries are at risk from frost because the root ball could freeze. Therefore, wrap the tub and box with bubble wrap (€34.00 on Amazon) or jute and cover the substrate with straw or wood wool.
Tips & Tricks
Lack of space on the balcony shouldn't stop you from enjoying refreshing strawberries. The robust wild strawberries thrive in every conceivable place, including in the plant bag. You can hang this on the wall, on the railing or the fence. As long as the location is partially shaded to sunny and the substrate is nutritious, cultivation is easy.
