How to Grow Strawberries Indoors From Seeds

Pick five or six ripe Alpine strawberries in the late summer after they turn completely red and emit a strong, sweet fragrance, or acquire the strawberries at a farmer's market or specialty shop.

Place the strawberries and 3 cups of water into a food processor. Set the food processor to its lowest setting. Process the strawberries for 10 to 15 seconds.

Let the strawberry slurry sit for five to 10 minutes. Scoop out and discard any seeds floating on the surface of the water, as they are likely unviable.

Pour the strawberry slurry into a wire mesh colander. Run water over the strawberry pulp. Remove and discard any large chunks of flesh.

Pick out the tiny, light-brown seeds stuck to the sides of the wire mesh colander. Dry the seeds on a sheet of paper towel for a half hour.

Store the seeds in a plastic bag. Place the bag inside the freezer for two weeks in late winter about mid-February to cold stratify them. Let them warm up to room temperature before sowing.

Combining one part acid compost, one part coarse sand and two parts potting soil creates a suitable growing medium. Drizzle water over the soil while mixing it until it feels moderately moist.

Fill 3-inch seedling pots ¾ full with the moistened soil mixture. Pressing the soil firmly into the seedling pots with the flat of your thumb evens the surface.

Sow two Alpine strawberry seeds in each seedling pot. Place the seeds on the surface. Spread a 1/8 inch thick layer of acid compost over the seeds. Firm the compost.

Place the potted strawberry seeds on a bright, unobstructed windowsill with at least four hours of sunshine each day.

Mist the strawberry seeds with a spray bottle whenever the soil feels dry in the top half-inch. Do not let the soil dry out for more than 24 hours between waterings.

Watch for germination in 14 to 21 days. Keep the strawberry seedlings in their original pots until they put out three sets of mature leaves.

Transplant the strawberry seedlings into permanent 6-inch diameter ceramic or plastic pots filled with the soil mixture. Use 6-inch-diameter pots with a depth of 10 to 12 inches and several drainage holes.

Place the strawberry plants where they receive six to eight hours of sunlight each day. Find a mix of direct sunlight and indirect, diffuse light when choosing a planting location.

Water the strawberry plants to a depth of 1 inch once a week. Increase water to 2 inches each week once the plant sets fruit.