Knowing the specific type of strawberry plant growing in your garden is the first step toward a successful harvest, since each variety has distinct care requirements. Strawberry plants are primarily classified by how they respond to the length of daylight and the ambient temperature, a physiological response called photoperiodism. This classification sorts them into three main growth habits, which dictate their flowering time, fruiting schedule, and overall growth strategy. Understanding these differences is necessary to provide the right cultivation techniques.
The Three Primary Growth Types
The three major categories of strawberries are defined by their unique triggers for flower bud formation. June-bearing varieties, the most traditional type, are known as short-day plants. They initiate their flower buds in late summer and early fall when the days are shorter and the temperatures are cooler, allowing them to store energy over winter for one concentrated spring bloom.
Everbearing plants are often classified as long-day plants, as they form flower buds when daylight hours are longer, typically in late spring and early summer. This long-day response allows them to produce two, and sometimes three, distinct harvests: a small crop in early summer and a larger flush of fruit in the late summer or fall.
The third type, Day-neutral strawberries, are the least sensitive to day length for flowering. These plants will continuously produce flower buds and fruit throughout the growing season, provided the temperatures remain within a mild range, generally between 59 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. This continuous production means they do not have the same period of vegetative rest that the other types utilize.
Identifying by Fruiting and Flowering Patterns
The most straightforward way to identify your plant type is by observing its seasonal fruiting pattern. A single, heavy crop of fruit lasting approximately two to three weeks, usually in late spring or early summer, is the definitive sign of a June-bearing variety. These plants focus all their energy into this one burst of production and then cease fruiting until the next year.
If you observe two distinct, larger harvests separated by a mid-summer lull in production, you likely have an Everbearing type. The first crop appears in early summer, similar to June-bearers, but a second, significant harvest follows in late summer or early autumn. This pattern reflects the plant’s dual response to extended daylight and moderate temperatures.
A plant that consistently produces small to moderate amounts of fruit from late spring until the first heavy frost is a Day-neutral type. While production may slow down during the intense heat of mid-summer, these plants will not exhibit the complete stop in flowering and fruiting seen in the other two types. The continuous presence of blossoms and ripening fruit simultaneously is the key indicator for this category.
Identifying by Runner Production and Growth Habit
Secondary identification can be made by examining the plant’s physical growth habit, specifically its tendency to produce runners. Runners are horizontal stems, or stolons, that extend from the mother plant and form new plants at their tips. June-bearing varieties are prolific runner producers, often creating a dense mat.
The June-bearer’s strategy is to prioritize propagation over continuous fruiting, so they produce the majority of their runners after the main harvest is complete. This high runner production is why they are often grown using the matted-row system, allowing the new plants to fill in the space.
In contrast, both Everbearing and Day-neutral types produce significantly fewer runners than June-bearers. These plants invest most of their energy into continuous flower and fruit production, which leaves less energy for vegetative propagation. Their growth habit is more contained, often resulting in a clumping appearance, making them suitable for containers or a formal hill system where runners are intentionally removed.