Strawberry plants will flower and then fruit in the early summer. But over the summer months, your strawberry plants will usually also begin to propagate by means of ‘runners’. Strawberry runners are the long shoots sent out from the base of the main plant. At the end of these long shoots, roots will form, and a new strawberry plant will be created. The problem is that plants may sometimes produce runners at the expense of ripening fruit. Often, if you are enjoying your strawberry harvest, it is best to remove all early-forming runners from your plants in order to prolong the harvest.
What are Strawberry Runners
Strawberry runners offer a natural and economical method for cultivating new plants and enlarging your strawberry patches.
These runners, which are essentially horizontal stems, branch out from mature plants, seeking to root and establish new growth. This process not only ensures the continuation of the strawberry lineage but also enables gardeners to expand their gardens without additional costs.
When to Use Strawberry Runners
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Identifying and Preparing Prime Runners
The healthiest runners to propagate are those that show vigorous growth and have already sprouted leaves. These are indicators of a runner’s readiness to establish its own roots and, eventually, bear fruit. It’s important to select runners that show no signs of disease to maintain the overall health of your garden.
Once you’ve identified the best runners, securing them to the soil with a U-shaped staple or wire can help encourage root penetration. It’s essential to keep these young plants connected to the mother plant until their roots are well-developed. This connection acts as a lifeline, supporting the young plant’s growth until it can sustain itself independently.
How to Remove Unwanted Runners
Removing early strawberry runners from your plants will allow the plants to put all their energy into remaining healthy and producing a bounty of fruit. Simply keep your eyes open for runners forming and cut off unwanted runners so they can’t take too much energy from the plants. Simply pop these onto your compost heap.
How to Propagate Strawberry Plants Using Runners
Later in the season, once you have harvested the fruits, you will likely want to allow your plants to propagate and will want to leave runners to grow. Rather than removing these you will allow them to form into small plants attached to the parent plant. You will see roots beginning to form beneath a small amount of foliage. Each of these will become a new strawberry plant to increase your plant stock, or to give away, perhaps, to friends or family.
You can simply allow your strawberry plants to self-root at will in the strawberry patch or growing area where parent plants are located. This can create a strawberry thicket, but such a growing area can become congested over time and become untidy. While it can be a wonderful way to create ground cover in an informal kitchen garden or forest garden, it may not be suitable for smaller polytunnels, where space may be at a premium. To bring some order to your strawberry patch, you can gently guide strawberry runners into suitable locations close to the parent plant.
Sometimes, however, you may wish to deal with strawberry runners differently, especially when combined with other problems you may have with strawberries. You may wish to root strawberry runners in pots, for later transplantation to a different location. It is best not to detach strawberry runners from the parent plant too soon. They receive nutrition from the parent plant until the roots are properly formed.
In order to get healthy new strawberry plants, keep runners attached to the parent plant. Take the new plant forming on the end and press it down into the soil where you want it to grow, either in the ground or in a pot. Use a twig or peg to gently hold the runner down and allow roots to form in the growing medium. Once the roots have formed, (which you will be able to tell because the plant will be firmly held into the growing medium) you can simply cut the runners from the parent plant and (if required) move them to somewhere else in your garden.
FAQs
What do I do with strawberry runners?
Plant the runners in well-draining soil to propagate new strawberry plants or prune them to encourage the parent plant to focus energy on fruit production.
Should runners be cut off strawberries?
Yes, if you want to boost fruit production in the main plant, cutting off runners is advisable. Otherwise, you can allow them to root to propagate new plants.
When should I take strawberry runners?
The best time to take or transplant strawberry runners is in early autumn or spring, when the weather is cooler, to allow the plants to establish a strong root system.
What is the purpose of a strawberry runner?
Strawberry runners help propagate new plants naturally, ensuring genetic continuity and expanding strawberry patches without the need to purchase new plants.
Sources
Swainston, D., (2023) Common problems with strawberries – 6 simple issues that can reduce your harvest. Homes & Gardens. [online] Available at: https://www.homesandgardens.com/gardens/problems-with-strawberries [accessed 19/09/24]
