Strawberry plants reproduce asexually by sending out specialized stems called runners. This process can either expand a garden or reduce the current season’s berry harvest. Deciding when to sever these connections depends entirely on the gardener’s objective: maximizing the mother plant’s fruit yield or propagating new strawberry clones. The correct timing is determined by observing the plant’s growth stage and the runner’s development, not just the calendar date.
Understanding Strawberry Runners
A strawberry runner (stolon) is a slender, horizontal stem that grows outward from the mother plant across the soil surface. This structure allows the plant to reproduce vegetatively, creating a genetically identical daughter plant at a node along its length. When the daughter plantlet contacts the soil, it develops roots, establishing itself as an independent clone. The runner supplies the young plant with sugars and water until its own root system is established.
This reproductive strategy comes at a cost to the mother plant’s energy budget. The plant must divert photosynthesized sugars away from fruit and flower production to fuel the runner’s growth. Runners are highly demanding, competing directly with developing fruit for essential nutrients. If left unchecked, this energy diversion significantly reduces the size and quantity of the current season’s berry harvest, making management necessary for high yields.
Timing the Cut for Mother Plant Maintenance
If the primary goal is to maximize the size and number of berries, runners should be removed as soon as they appear throughout the growing season. Removing these offshoots prevents the mother plant from diverting energy away from fruit maturation. Regular removal, ideally every two to four weeks, is recommended, as research shows that removing runners can increase fruit yield by 17 to 30% in some varieties.
The most impactful time for maintenance cutting is immediately after the main harvest concludes, typically mid-summer for June-bearing varieties. Removing runners then allows the mother plant to focus energy on forming the flower buds for the next spring’s harvest. These newly formed buds determine the following year’s fruit potential. Limiting runners ensures the plant stores maximum energy in its crown for winter dormancy and robust spring growth.
Timing the Cut for Propagation
When the intent is to propagate new strawberry plants, the timing shifts to ensuring the daughter plant’s survival. The runner must remain attached to the mother plant long enough for the young plantlet to develop a root system. This rooting process typically takes four to six weeks after the plantlet is secured to the soil. The new plant is ready for separation once it has established three to four true leaves and shows resistance when gently tugged, indicating a strong root hold.
Rooting the Daughter Plant
Gardeners often assist rooting by “pegging” the plantlet node into a small pot or directly into the ground near the mother plant using a bent wire or landscape staple. Keeping the daughter plant attached during this establishment phase provides continuous nourishment, improving its chance of survival. The ideal time to physically sever the connection and transplant the new clone is late summer or early fall. Separating the plant during this window allows the new strawberry crown time to establish itself fully before winter dormancy.
Proper Cutting Technique and Aftercare
Cutting the runner requires a clean, precise technique to avoid introducing disease or stressing the plants. Always use sharp scissors or small pruning shears sanitized with rubbing alcohol before use. The cut should be made on the stolon (the leafless stem), but the precise location depends on the ultimate goal.
Cutting Location
If the runner is removed for maintenance, the cut should be made as close to the mother plant’s central crown as possible, and the entire runner discarded. For propagation, the cut is made between the mother plant and the newly rooted daughter plant. Leave a small, half-inch “tail” of the stolon attached to the new plant’s crown.
Aftercare
Once separated, the newly independent plant needs immediate protection from excessive heat and dryness, especially if rooted in a pot. Transplant the new plant into its final location or a slightly larger container. Thorough watering ensures it transitions successfully to self-sufficiency.