Wild Strawberry plant profile
Fragaria virginiana
A perennial fruit for partial sun.
Last updated .
When to plant
When to plant Wild Strawberry
Wild strawberry is a low native groundcover that flowers in spring (NC State: April to May) and follows with small, sweet-tart red berries in summer. Plant or divide in spring in fertile, well-drained soil; it spreads by runners to form colonies and prefers the cooler temperatures of spring and fall, slowing or going dormant in summer heat.
The calendar shows this cited seasonal window as an approximate band. It does not convert the season into frost-adjusted dates.
Open Wild Strawberry in my garden calendarShows the source-backed planting season, not frost-adjusted dates.
Growing conditions
- Sun
- Partial sun
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Hardiness
- Zones 5a to 9bFind my hardiness zone
Common problems
Watch for these
Also watch for: leaf spot, leaf scorch.
Evidence trail
Evidence behind this profile
Original extension and institutional publications behind the planting, care, and safety facts on this page.
- Fragaria virginiana (Wild Strawberry, Scarlett Strawberry)
North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox (NC State Extension). Supports general reference. Checked 2026-06-18.
- Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants: Strawberry (Fragaria species) entry
ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. Supports pet-safety verdicts for dogs and cats. Checked 2026-07-18.