Your favorite bright red berries can grow all summer long in raised beds, containers, or hanging baskets as long as they have the proper light, soil, and water. Some varieties produce copious amounts of sweet fruit all summer long. However, if your strawberries are not planted in an area with sufficient sun, they may not have the energy they need to flourish.
Let’s dig into exactly how much sunshine garden strawberries need and how to determine if your plants are getting too much or too little light.
Strawberries need 6 to 8 hours of direct sun per day to grow healthy foliage and yield high quantities of fruit. They thrive in full sun and struggle to produce flowers and fruits in the shade. For the most fruit, grow strawberries in the sunniest south-facing part of your garden, away from larger vegetables, shrubs, and trees. They can tolerate partial shade but may not produce as much fruit. Wild strawberries (Fragaria virginiana) are an exception to this rule, as these native groundcover plants can thrive in partial shade that mimics their wild environment.
Strawberries are small, herbaceous, fruiting plants that belong to the Rosaceae (rose) family. Depending on the variety, strawberries can produce fruit throughout the frost-free season and grow as annuals or overwintering perennials in zones 4 through 9.
Native to North America, these famous berries originated as wild, trailing plants growing in the partially shaded edges of temperate forests. Over the past few centuries, humans have cultivated Fragaria species for larger berries, sweeter flavors, and higher agricultural productivity. With all these changes, you can imagine that modern varieties of strawberries have very different needs than their wild ancestors.
Cultivated strawberries require more sunlight because the berries are large and produced in large quantities. Sun exposure directly impacts when and how the plants flower and fruit. Without sufficient light, these low-growing berries cannot produce enough energy in their leaves to maintain healthy foliage, roots, and fruits. Here is how to diagnose light-related issues in strawberries and ensure your plants are getting enough sun.
Do Strawberry Plants Really Need a Lot of Sunlight?
As an avid gardener, I know that getting enough sunlight is crucial for growing big sweet strawberries. But just how much sun do strawberry plants really need? Through years of experimenting in my own garden I’ve learned quite a bit about the optimal sunlight requirements for robust strawberry plants and maximum fruit production. In this article, I’ll shed some light on the best sunlight levels for strawberries.
Why Sun Exposure Matters
Sunlight impacts strawberries in a few key ways:
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Flowering – Strawberries produce flowers that get pollinated and form fruit. Without sufficient sunlight, they make fewer flowers and less fruit overall.
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Fruit quality – With too little sunlight, strawberry fruits often stay small, pale, and less sweet. Direct sunlight helps them fully ripen and develop rich flavor.
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Runner production – Strawberry plants send out runners that propagate new daughter plants. Less light limits runner growth and spread.
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Winter hardiness – Good sun exposure in fall helps strawberry plants properly harden off for winter dormancy. Weak, leggy plants from inadequate sunlight tend to overwinter poorly.
Clearly, getting the right amount of sun is vital for robust strawberries and maximum harvests. But what’s the optimal daily sunlight range?
Recommended Hours of Sunlight
Most experts recommend strawberries receive:
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Minimum: 6 hours of direct sunlight daily
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Optimal: 8-12 hours of direct sun daily
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Maximum: 14 hours of direct sun daily
With just the minimum of 6 hours of unfiltered sunlight, you can expect some modest harvests. However, yields will be much lower compared to strawberries grown in full sun conditions.
For the highest yields of large, juicy, flavorful berries all season long, aim for 8-12 hours of direct sun if possible. This gives strawberries sufficient sunlight to really thrive and fruit at their peak.
In very hot climates, the maximum of 14 hours prevents excess heat stress. But in most areas, the 8-12 hour range provides the ideal balance for strawberry success.
Sun Requirements by Strawberry Type
Specific strawberry types have the same basic light needs, but productivity can vary:
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June-bearing – Require full sun to produce a large early summer crop. They give the biggest yields per plant with optimal sunlight.
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Everbearing – Produce two smaller harvests per season. Still benefit from maximum sunlight for improved yields.
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Day-neutrals – Bear light crops of berries all season. May do OK with just 6 hours of sun in very hot regions since they don’t runner well.
Always give your particular strawberry variety the most sunlight realistically possible for your climate and location. You’ll be rewarded with sweeter berries at harvest time.
Regional Sunlight Considerations
The specific sunlight hours your strawberries need can also vary a bit depending on your region:
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Northern areas – Long summer days often provide 10-14 hours of natural sun. Focus on choosing the sunniest planting site.
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Southern areas – Have shorter days but more intense sunlight. Aim for 8-10 hours of sun if possible. Provide afternoon shade over 90°F.
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Coastal areas – Tend to have morning/evening fog or overcast. Find a site with maximum midday sun exposure.
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Mountainous areas – Require a south-facing planting site to maximize sunlight on slopes and in valleys.
Evaluate day length, sun intensity, and microclimates in your specific area when siting your strawberry patch.
Providing Adequate Sunlight
If your yard offers multiple planting sites, choose the spot receiving the most sun exposure throughout the day. Other useful sunlight tips:
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Eliminate any large trees or buildings casting major shade, even small amounts add up.
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Orient rows north-south to prevent midday shading as the sun moves.
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Stagger plants in double rows to avoid mutual shading.
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Gradually thin surrounding plants as your patch establishes to open more sunlight space.
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Use reflective plastic mulch to bounce extra light onto plants if bare ground sun hours seem insufficient.
With smart planning and adjustments, you can optimize sunlight for your strawberries. Give them as much full sun access as realistically possible. Then get ready to enjoy pints of sweet, sun-kissed berries!
The Bottom Line
There’s no denying it – ample sun and strawberries go hand in hand. For best growth and fruiting, strawberries require 8-12 hours of direct sun daily. While they tolerate some partial shade, optimal yields need full sun conditions. Carefully consider sunlight patterns before planting. Then choose the sunniest spot available and remove potential shade hazards. With plenty of light fueling your patch, you’ll reap a bountiful berry bonanza.
Choose a Brighter Location
Move strawberries to a sunnier spot for healthier growth.
Once you’ve determined that lighting is the main issue, it’s time to find a brighter space. Strawberries do best in south-facing areas with direct sun and no tall plants in front of them. They do great in a 15” deep raised bed because their roots don’t grow super deep. If your garden is already full, you may need to move the plants to containers. These berries grow excellently in pots, planters, and hanging baskets.
Prepare the bed or container with a loamy, well-drained soil blend. Ensure there is lots of compost and organic matter. Check that the bottom of the container has holes for drainage so your plants don’t get waterlogged or soggy.
Relocate strawberries carefully for optimal sunlight and water generously.
It is very easy to move your strawberry plants to a place that meets their sunshine needs. Fortunately, these plants are not super finicky about root disturbance and can recover fairly quickly after a move.
Use a shovel or trowel to dig around the circumference of the plant and carefully lift it from the ground. Grasp the plant from the base of the crown to pick it up. Use this opportunity to inspect the roots and crown for any signs of rot or disease. Rotten roots look mushy and yellowish-brown, whereas healthy roots are tan-colored, firm, and fibrous.
Dig a hole a little deeper than the root ball in the new bed or container. Place the strawberry inside, taking particular care to ensure the right depth. The crown should only be partially buried. If you plant strawberries too deep, they may succumb to crown rot and die. Check that the roots are fully covered, the soil line is in the middle of the crown, and all the leaves and stems are above the surface.
Backfill the soil around the plant and lightly press down to secure it in place. Water generously to help the plant root in its new home.
What Happens if Strawberries Don’t Get Enough Sun?
Sunlight-starved strawberries struggle to thrive and bear fruit.
Strawberry plants grown in shady conditions are small, pale, stunted, and low-yielding. They have faded or yellow foliage due to a lack of chlorophyll, which is the green pigment produced in plant leaves.
Because they don’t have enough light to properly photosynthesize, the plants may never flower or produce the fruits you crave. If a strawberry isn’t getting the sunlight it needs, you may have to transplant the crown or move the container to a brighter location.
Sun-starved plants show pale leaves, slow growth, and lack fruit.
Herbaceous sun-loving plants display very obvious clues when they aren’t getting enough sunshine. The key symptoms of insufficient sunlight include:
Plants cannot produce as much chlorophyll (green pigment) in low-light conditions.
Lack of photosynthesis often makes leaves turn yellow in the shade.
Stunting and slow growth occur because the leaves aren’t getting enough energy from the sun.
Plants struggle to survive in the shade and lack the energy to produce flowers.
Without flowers, there are no fruits.
In contrast, healthy strawberry plants have verdant green leaves and rapid growth. As long as the plants are mature and the weather is warm, there should be lots of white flowers and developing or ripening fruit.
Some light symptoms may look similar to nutrient deficiencies and diseases. For example, yellowing is a universal plant signal that something is wrong. You can tell the difference between low light and nutrient deficiencies by looking closer at the leaves. An overall pale appearance on all the leaves indicates a lack of sunlight.
In contrast, nutrient deficiencies tend to appear on only the older or newer leaves, depending on the nutrient. Diseased plants display other symptoms like powdery fungal growths, brown lesions, or red-hued foliage.
How Much Sun Do Strawberry Plants Need?
FAQ
Can strawberries get too much sun?
Strawberry plants basking in too much sun might as well hang a “distress” sign. Scorched leaves are a dead giveaway, with edges that look like they’ve had a run-in with a blowtorch. If your berries are getting a tan, that’s a bad sign; bronzing on fruits isn’t a summer glow—it’s sun damage.
Do strawberries prefer morning or afternoon sun?
When planting strawberries, choose a spot with full sun. In warm regions, try to provide morning sun with some shade protection during the hottest part of the day. Soil should have excellent drainage.
Should I water strawberries every day?
Watering. Strawberry plants need regular water to thrive, especially during fruit bearing season, when they need an average of 1-2 inches of water daily.
Do strawberries need full sun?
Most strawberries need many hours of full sun to grow and produce, but there is a type of strawberry you can grow in shady spaces. This is to say, most strawberry varieties will not do well in shady areas.
How much sunlight does a strawberry need?
The minimum amount of light they can tolerate is six hours per day, but really, most production strawberries should receive at least 8 to 10 hours of sunlight per day, with more light being even better. Most strawberries need many hours of full sun to grow and produce, but there is a type of strawberry you can grow in shady spaces.
Why do Strawberries need more sunlight?
Cultivated strawberries require more sunlight because the berries are large and produced in large quantities. Sun exposure directly impacts when and how the plants flower and fruit. Without sufficient light, these low-growing berries cannot produce enough energy in their leaves to maintain healthy foliage, roots, and fruits.
Can strawberries grow in the shade?
Well, Strawberries can grow in the shade, as not all gardens receive full sunlight throughout the day. While strawberries prefer full sunlight, they can grow and produce fruit in partial shade. A strawberry plant needs direct sunlight for at least 6 hours. However, if the plants receive less sunlight, they will produce fewer and smaller fruits.
Do Alpine strawberries need a lot of Sun?
Filtered, dappled, part shade, limited sun hours…these are all conditions that alpine or woodland strawberries can tolerate. All strawberry plants need at least some sun. Alpine strawberries (woodland strawberries) are the best type to grow if you have a more shady spot where you want to grow them, but they will still need some sunlight.
What happens if strawberries get too much sunlight?
If strawberry plants get too much sunlight, it can cause damage to the leaves and fruits. While strawberries require a significant amount of sunlight to grow and produce fruits, excessive sunlight exposure, especially in hot temperatures can scorch your leaves.