How to repot strawberries
Repotting your strawberries is one of the necessary steps to keep your plants healthy as they grow, and for older plants to continue producing berries. Over time, soil becomes compacted or the plant can get root bound, which can otherwise reduce growth and crop yields.
Is it time to repot your plant?
Signs your plant needs repotting
Many roots are growing out of the bottom drainage holes
When you slide the plant out from its planter, you see a dense network of roots wrapping around the outside of the root ball or coiling around the bottom
The plant has grown bigger and the pot starts to look small in comparison to the size of the plant and the number of leaves
The soil dries out quicker than usual
Signs to hold off on repotting
Soil falls apart easily when you check the root ball
Soil stays moist for a long time after watering
Roots look dark, shriveled, mushy or moldy, and the plant shows other signs of stress. Pause repotting and visit Dr. Planta (stethoscope icon 🩺) in the app to diagnose the problem first
Recommended soil types for strawberries
Strawberries thrive in rich, loose potting soil that drains well while staying slightly moist.
Recommended soil types
This is how you repot your plant
Prep your space, materials and equipment
Avoid direct sunlight. Keep your soil, pot, and any tools you might need close by so everything is within reach.Remove the pot
Avoid pulling hard on the plant. It can help to tilt the pot on its side and pull the pot off the root ball rather than lifting the plant straight up, especially for larger plants.
If the root ball is stuck in the pot, we have some tips:Gently squeeze or press the sides if it’s in a flexible pot.
Run a dull knife or similar tool along the inner edge of the pot to release the roots.
If the rim is narrower than the body, you might have to break ceramic pots or cut thin plastic ones open to free the roots safely.
Choose the new pot
Choose a bigger pot or planter to plant it in.Add soil to the bottom
Pour a bottom layer of fresh soil into the new pot. Set the plant inside. The top of the root ball should sit slightly below the rim.Center the plant
Check that it is centered and positioned as you want it before adding more soil.Fill with soil
Add soil around the root ball, pressing down gently to secure the plant. Tap the sides of the pot to help the soil settle without packing it down too tightly.
Be careful not to plant it too deep. The crown (the thick part where the stems meet the roots) must sit just above the soil surface, otherwise the plant can rot.Water
Water until a bit of water drains from the bottom holes.Top off soil
Watering can cause the soil to settle. Check the soil level after the first few waterings, and add extra soil if necessary.
Additional tips
Pot size
You can plant strawberries directly in a large final planter or step them up gradually as they grow. Moving up one or two pot sizes at a time prevents overwatering and protects young roots. If you prefer to start with a large final planter or raised bed right away, it’s best to plant multiple strawberries together so their roots share the space and keep soil moisture balanced.
Pot drainage
The pot holding the plant needs at least one bottom drainage hole to allow excess water to pass through freely when you water it.
Clean reused pots
Wash plastic or glazed ceramic containers with soap and water before reusing them. Removing old soil residue eliminates potential hidden pests that could otherwise transfer to your plant.
Protect exposed roots
Open air can dry out the roots. Keep a spray bottle handy to mist exposed roots if you need extra time during repotting.
After repotting
Repotting can be a stressful event for strawberries, especially if the roots were untangled, pruned, or accidentally damaged in the process. It can take about a month for a plant to recover and start thriving in its new pot.
To help your plant bounce back quickly and avoid potential harm:
Keep the plant in a bright area but protected from direct sunlight for about a week. If it previously received direct sunlight, gradually increase the exposure over a week when moving it back again.
Keep a closer eye on the soil moisture level. Root disturbance and a pot upgrade can temporarily slow down how long it takes for the soil to dry. Be prepared to snooze watering tasks for a few days in the app if the soil is still too wet at some point.
Do not add plant food right away. Fresh soil already has nutrients, and adding extra fertilizer can burn sensitive or stressed roots. Planta will automatically pause feeding tasks for a safe period after a repotting task has been completed.
Frequently asked questions
My strawberry plants are starting to get old and are producing fewer berries. Will repotting bring them back?
Not necessarily. Individual strawberry plants naturally peak in berry production during their second and third years, after which the mother crown grows woody and yields drop. Repotting mainly refreshes compacted soil, but the best long-term strategy for older plants is to let them produce runners, root the new baby plantlets, and replace the aging mother plants when they start to bloom and fruit less.
To maintain a continuous harvest in a strawberry patch, rejuvenate and replace a portion of your plants every year. This ensures you will always have plants at different stages of growth. Some increasing in yield, some at their peak, and some declining.
When is the best time of year to repot strawberries?
The ideal window to repot strawberries is early spring (ideally as dormancy breaks) or early autumn. Early spring is best if you are dividing older plants, as it allows roots to establish before leaf growth and the heat set in. Alternatively, repotting in fall gives roots time to settle before winter without disrupting your harvest. Avoid repotting in early summer while plants are actively flowering or fruiting.
My plant hasn't filled its pot with roots yet, but it lacks nutrients. Should I repot?
No. Repotting gives roots more physical room to grow, improves moisture retention, or replaces compacted soil. Repotting it too early purely to supply nutrients is unnecessary and can trigger repotting stress or a higher risk of a watering imbalance. If your plant is hungry, start feeding it fertilizer on a regular schedule instead.
Can I plant in a pot without drainage holes if I put rocks or gravel at the bottom instead?
We don't recommend doing this because it makes proper watering much harder. Over time, the gravel layer can still fill with excess water, significantly increasing the risk of overwatering and root rot. These plants are rather prone to getting these problems.
I have a struggling plant. Will repotting it save it?
Not necessarily. While repotting can be one of the necessary steps for certain issues, in many cases it adds unnecessary stress to an already struggling plant rather than helping it. We suggest diagnosing your plant using Dr. Planta (stethoscope icon 🩺) in the app before taking action.