Can Alpine Strawberries Be Wintered Indoors?

The Best Containers for Alpine Strawberries

• Alpine strawberries are the only type of strawberry suitable for hanging baskets. They grow in tight, compact bunches that have few runners in comparison to other types of berries. Choose a hanging basket or some type of container that is light enough for you to pick up and bring indoors during the winter. You can grow three alpine strawberry plants in a container with a 12-inch diameter. Fill the container with a mix of one part finely ground fir bark, one part sand and two parts potting soil. Before the first time you plant your alpine strawberries, you can also mix in approximately 8 cups of slow release fertilizer per cubic yard of growing space.

Where to Keep Your Alpine Strawberries

• Whereas most types of strawberries need a full 10 hours of sunlight per day to grow strong and healthy, alpine strawberries can thrive on only six hours. Do not attempt to place them in a spot that receives less than six hours of sunlight per day. To choose a spot for your alpine strawberries indoors, find a bright, sunny window. Keep an eye on the potential spot to ensure that it gets enough sun through the day. Make sure that the light will not be blocked by trees or other structures such as buildings or telephone poles.

How to Care for Your Alpine Strawberries

• Your alpine strawberry plants must be kept at 30 degrees Fahrenheit or warmer. Do not let them get too close to your window, which may frost and get very cold. Keep your alpine strawberries away from heaters, though, which can dry out and kill the plants. During the winter, you can water your alpine strawberries on a daily basis. Make absolutely certain not to allow them to sit in standing water, even for a single day. Pinch off and remove any runners that grow from your plant. Keep an eye out for pests on your alpine strawberry plant.

What to Expect From Your Alpine Strawberries

• Do not get too disappointed if you take perfect care of your alpine strawberry plant over the winter, and it dies anyway. Alpine strawberry plants can only live for two to three years in the best of conditions. In fact, you can plant alpine strawberries as annuals in your garden. If your alpine strawberry plant does survive the winter, you can expect it to begin producing sporadic fruit in late May. You should be able to enjoy the small, dark, sweet berries through summer until the first frost in fall.