Bare-root strawberry plants are a popular, cost-effective way to start a new patch, but they often arrive looking like a bundle of dry, lifeless roots. This appearance is by design, as the plants are harvested and shipped in a state of natural dormancy to minimize transplant shock and allow for easier handling. Dormancy is a temporary period of suspended growth, but it makes it difficult to discern a sleeping plant from a dead one, leading to common gardener anxiety. Understanding the physical signs of a healthy, dormant plant is the first step in successfully establishing a new strawberry bed.
What Healthy Dormant Plants Look Like
A viable bare-root strawberry plant consists of a crown—the short, thick central stem—and a mass of roots extending from it. The crown should feel firm and solid to the touch, not soft or mushy, and often displays a color that is whitish, pale green, or pinkish-white near the top. This central structure is the plant’s growing point, and its integrity is a reliable indicator of health.
The root system is usually a dense tangle of fine, wiry roots. Their color in a healthy, dormant state is typically light brown, tan, or yellowish-white, and they should appear heavy, retaining some moisture, not completely dried out. The lack of green leaves is a normal part of the dormant state, as the plant has shed its foliage to conserve energy.
Immediate Physical Checks for Life
To determine the viability of a new bare-root strawberry plant, three simple physical checks can be performed immediately upon arrival. These tests focus on the living tissues within the crown and the condition of the roots.
The Scratch Test (Crown Viability)
Using a fingernail or a small, dull knife, lightly scrape away the outer layer of the crown. If the tissue immediately beneath the surface is a bright green or a pale white color, the plant is alive. This indicates the cambium layer, which transports water and nutrients, is still intact. If the tissue underneath the scratch is entirely brown, gray, or black, that section of the crown has died.
Root Flexibility and Color
Inspect the roots for color and texture. Healthy roots should be pliable, bending easily without snapping. If the roots are brittle, dry, and snap, they have likely dried out. A healthy root mass will be pale or light brown, whereas roots that are uniformly dark brown or black are dead and should be pruned off before planting.
Smell Test
A quick smell test can help diagnose fungal issues or decay. Healthy roots should have a clean, earthy scent. A distinct sour, rotten, or moldy odor indicates that the roots have been compromised by fungal decay or anaerobic conditions, often due to excessive moisture during storage. If a foul smell is present, you may still proceed with planting after trimming away any visibly mushy or decayed roots.
Pre-Planting Revival and Post-Planting Timelines
If the roots appear overly dry but the crown passes the scratch test, a brief soak can help rehydrate the plant before planting. Place the roots, but not the crown, into a bucket of clean water for 20 minutes to a few hours. Avoid prolonged soaking, as this can lead to root rot due to oxygen deprivation.
After planting, the emergence of new foliage confirms life. Under ideal conditions, new leaf growth can be expected within two to four weeks. If the plants are struggling, this timeline may be extended. If the crown remains firm but new leaves have not appeared after four to six weeks, the plant may be severely stressed or non-viable. If the crown softens and turns black or mushy during this period, the plant has died.